<p>The dose distribution around brachytherapy (BT) sources is characterized by steep dose gradients and an energy spectrum varying rapidly with depth in water around the source. These two properties make experimental verification of the dose distribution difficult, and put high demands on the dosimetry system in use regarding precision, size and energy dependence. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) recommends lithium fluoride (LiF) thermo-luminescence dosimetry (TLD) to be used for verification measurements, as it is the only dosimetry system meeting the requirements, but still the total combined uncertainty in dose-rate determination is as high as 7-9 % (1 σ). Lithium formate is a new dosimetry material that is less energy dependent than LiF, but more sensitive than the most common EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) dosimetry material, alanine. In order to evaluate lithium formate EPR for BT dosimetry, dosimeters were produced for experimental dose determination around BT source 192Ir. The dosimeters were calibrated against an ionization chamber in a high energy photon beam. Dose to water was determined at 1, 3 and 5 cm radial distance from the source, which was stepped along a straight line in a PMMA phantom. The experiments were performed twice using 4 dosimeters per distance and experiment. Methods to correct for energy dependence were developed and evaluated. The uncertainty in measured dose was estimated. The experimental dose values agreed with the values from the treatment planning system with a maximum deviation of 3.3 %, and an average 1 σ uncertainty of 3 % at 3 and 5 cm and 5 % at 1cm. Uncertainty in radial distance from the source as well as source calibration were the dominating contributions to the total combined uncertainty. Lithium formate EPR has been shown to be a promising alternative to LiF TLD for BT dosimetry.</p>

The dose distribution around brachytherapy (BT) sources is characterized by steep dose gradients and an energy spectrum varying rapidly with depth in water around the source. These two properties make experimental verification of the dose distribution difficult, and put high demands on the dosimetry system in use regarding precision, size and energy dependence. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) recommends lithium fluoride (LiF) thermo-luminescence dosimetry (TLD) to be used for verification measurements, as it is the only dosimetry system meeting the requirements, but still the total combined uncertainty in dose-rate determination is as high as 7-9 % (1 σ). Lithium formate is a new dosimetry material that is less energy dependent than LiF, but more sensitive than the most common EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) dosimetry material, alanine. In order to evaluate lithium formate EPR for BT dosimetry, dosimeters were produced for experimental dose determination around BT source 192Ir. The dosimeters were calibrated against an ionization chamber in a high energy photon beam. Dose to water was determined at 1, 3 and 5 cm radial distance from the source, which was stepped along a straight line in a PMMA phantom. The experiments were performed twice using 4 dosimeters per distance and experiment. Methods to correct for energy dependence were developed and evaluated. The uncertainty in measured dose was estimated. The experimental dose values agreed with the values from the treatment planning system with a maximum deviation of 3.3 %, and an average 1 σ uncertainty of 3 % at 3 and 5 cm and 5 % at 1cm. Uncertainty in radial distance from the source as well as source calibration were the dominating contributions to the total combined uncertainty. Lithium formate EPR has been shown to be a promising alternative to LiF TLD for BT dosimetry.