Recalculation of scatter fractions for homogeneous and heterogeneous geometries using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract The primary aim of this study was to determine the scatter fraction from patient, particularly in the presence of patient heterogeneities, using Monte Carlo simulations. The Geant4 toolkit was used to estimate the scatter fractions of 6, 10, 15, and 24 MV circular photon beams (area ~400 cm2). For scatter fraction calculation in a cubic water phantom at 100 cm from a point source, concentric spheres were designed, with the inner sphere radius ~1 m and the outer sphere was either 1.015 or 1.025 cm to allow dose build-up. The scatter fractions were calculated in water and heterogeneous medium (i.e. a slab of either lung, stainless steel, or aluminum) in the range of scattering angles (i.e. 3°–150°). Higher energy beams (i.e. 24 MV) exhibit a rapid fall-off in scatter fraction compared to lower energy beams (i.e. 6 MV). For angles below 35°, higher energy beams have the largest scatter fraction. Beyond 60°, smallest energy beams show the largest scatter fraction. The scatter fraction deviates by up to 48% from published data.