Online recombination correction in dosimetry with arrays of ionization chambers: Application to FFF and UHDR radiotherapy

Abstract

Recombination of charge carriers can affect the response of ionization detectors used for the dosimetry of radiotherapy fields. In this work, we present a method for correcting online the recombination effects in arrays of ionization chambers irradiated with time-varying dose rates. The method is based on the characterization of the dose rate/recombination response of the detector, and the measurement of the instant ionization current in the detector, rather than the integrated charge. The proposed method was investigated with simulations of the response of different air and liquid ionization chambers in situations where recombination can be large. In addition, we experimentally investigated the application of the method with an in-house-developed liquid-filled ionization chamber. The proposed online correction method can compensate for recombination losses and seems feasible to implement in the software of ionization arrays/detectors used for the dosimetry of radiotherapy fields.