Abstract
A 15 MV photon beam of a Varian Clinac 2100C medical linear accelerator operating with and without a flattening filter was simulated using the Monte Carlo code 'FLUKA' in order to calculate differences in their dosimetric properties. These include: the dose rate, the percentage depth dose on the central axis, the beam profile, the out-of-field dose, the surface dose on a 40 x 40 x 40 cm(3) water phantom and the neutron contamination. The results obtained showed that the unflattened beam has a dose rate 4.86 times higher than the flattened one. The average out-of-field dose from the edge of the field to the edge of the phantom was reduced by 44%, the neutron fluence at the isocentre was reduced by 77% and the surface neutron dose-equivalent was reduced from 2.11 +/- 0.05 to 0.40 +/- 0.01 mSv(n) Gy(-1)(X) after normalising both beams to give the same dose at d(max) (the depth of maximum dose). However, the photon surface dose of the unflattened beam increased by 13%. From this information, it can be concluded that the unflattened beam can lead to better treatment outcome and may reduce the beam-on time which may be required for specific cases. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.