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Review Paper| Volume 32, ISSUE 4, P541-556, April 2016

Reference radiochromic film dosimetry: Review of technical aspects

  • Slobodan Devic
    Correspondence
    Corresponding author. Jewish General Hospital, 3755 chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Québec H3T 1E2, Canada. Tel.: +1 514 340 8222 x 2595; fax: 514 340 8642.
    Affiliations
    Medical Physics Unit, Department of Radiation Oncology, SMBD Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
    Search for articles by this author
  • Nada Tomic
    Affiliations
    Medical Physics Unit, Department of Radiation Oncology, SMBD Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
    Search for articles by this author
  • David Lewis
    Affiliations
    RCF Consulting, LLC, 54 Benedict Road, Monroe, Connecticut 06468
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Published:March 22, 2016DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.02.008

      Highlights

      • Review of technical aspects for radiochromic film dosimetry system.
      • Recipe on how to design a reference radiochromic film dosimetry system.
      • Summary of parameters that define radiochromic film dosimetry protocol.

      Abstract

      For decades, film was used as a powerful two-dimensional (2D) dosimetry tool for radiotherapy treatment verification and quality assurance. Unlike the old silver-halide based radiographic films, radiochromic films change its color upon irradiation without the need for chemical development. Radiation dose deposited within a sensitive layer of the radiochromic film initiates polymerization of the active component, the degree of which depends on the amount of energy deposited. Response of the film to radiation is commonly expressed in terms of optical density change, which can be easily measured by any photometric device. However, a number of factors may have an impact on the signal detected by the measuring device. This review summarizes technical aspects associated with the establishment of reference radiochromic film dosimetry and its subsequent use for either clinical or research applications.

      Keywords

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