Application of the Monte Carlo method to accelerator shielding analysis. A new estimation of the tenth-value thickness for X-rays in medical linear accelerators

In radiotherapy installations using accelerators it is very important to produce an accurate estimation of the shielding requirements to keep doses lower than limits. Shielding thickness is directly proportional to the tenth-value thickness, which can be obtained from curves recommended by the DIN-6847 standard and also estimated in terms of dose rates calculated for two different values of shielding thickness. In this work, the Monte Carlo method is applied to estimate the tenth-value thickness for X-rays in medical linear accelerators. Results are compared with older simulation data as well as with the values recommended by the DIN-6847 standard