On the behavior of fc,Q factors with quality indexes for medium energy X-ray beams: A Monte Carlo study with PENELOPE

A series of Monte Carlo simulations has been performed to determine the behavior of the factor f(c,Q) as a function, of the usual quality indexes for medium energy X-ray beams. Up to 46 beams, with spectra generated with the codes XCOMP5R and SPEKCALC, for potentials up to 300 kV, were transported using the Monte Carlo code PENELOPE to calculate the doses in water and in a PTW 30001 ionization chamber, both at the reference depth. The half-value layer (the usual quality index for these beams) and other two quality indexes, the generating potential and the homogeneity coefficient, have been considered. The calculated f(c,Q) factors are well described with a function that involves the power of the half-value layer up to the square and a second quality index linearly. The predictive power of this combination has been studied. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.