X-ray dose profiles using artificial neural networks

Abstract

This paper introduces a novel computational method to simulate and predict radiation dose profiles in a water phantom irradiated by X-rays of 6 and 15 MV at different depths and field sizes using Artificial Neural Networks within the error margin required by the code of practice 398 of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Our method uses deep-learning Artificial Neural Networks as an alternative to the Monte Carlo methods usually used nowadays. It reproduces the radiation dose profiles for X-rays of 6 and 15 MV data reported in the British Journal of Radiology (Aird, 1996). Even more, our method reproduces data from other sources with acceptable errors. These simulations pave the way to enhance radiotherapy techniques in planning patient doses and calibrating ionizing radiation measurement instruments used in the fight against cancer.

Keywords: Artificial neural networks; Percent depth dose; X-rays.