EXPERIMENTAL-VERIFICATION OF BREMSSTRAHLUNG PRODUCTION AND DOSIMETRY PREDICTIONS AS A FUNCTION OF ENERGY AND ANGLE

Measurements of energy deposition from bremsstrahlung production as a function of angle and beam energy (5-25 MeV) are shown to be in excell ent agreement with Monte Carlo predictions. Dosimetry measurements are made and predicted in both equilibrated and underequilibrated radiati on environments. In the latter ease the quality of the agreement requi res an accurate prediction of both the photon and electron spectra pro duced by the primary electron beam. An improved empirical equation for predicting bremsstrahlung production is also presented. This empirica l relation can be used to estimate doses without resorting to expensiv e calculational efforts, It also gives an analytical relationship for dose as a function of energy and angle for a converter optimized for b remsstrahlung production using 15.5 MeV electrons.