In this work, nine commonly used dosimetry detectors have been investigated to determine suitable relative dosimeters for kilovoltage x-ray beams. By comparison with the Monte Carlo calculated data, it was determined that for the detectors studied the PTW N23342, Markus and NACP parallel-plate chambers are more suitable for the measurement of percentage depth dose (PDD) data for this beam quality range with an uncertainty of about 3%. A diode detector may be used to measure the PDD for the 100 kVp beam, but it is not suitable for higher energies (300 kVp). The Capintec parallel-plate chamber may be adequate for medium-energy photons, but it has a slightly higher uncertainty for low-energy x-rays (100 kVp). For the measurement of beam profiles, diode and film yield incorrect profile tails, which can be corrected using the RK ionization chamber.

The effects of extended SSD (ESSD) on orthovoltage x-ray therapy dosimetry have been studied for a Therapax DXT300 treatment unit with several open- and close-ended cones. For the open-ended cones, the beam output and percentage depth dose (PDD) at ESSD can be accurately estimated from the measured data at the nominal SSD (NSSD) by an inverse square law (ISL) and a divergence factor for gaps (distance from cone end to point of interest) up to 15 cm. In the case of close-ended applicators (with an end plate of 3.2 mm thick PMMA), extending SSD results in significant changes in output and in PDDs, but has little effect on beam penumbra and flatness for gaps up to 15 cm. The output at ESSD calculated by applying the ISL with the NSSD is found to be as much as 9% different from the measurement for the close-ended cone. The output at ESSD can, however, be calculated accurately by applying the ISL with an effective SSD or using a measured gap factor. The change in the PDDs with SSD can be calculated from a geometric divergence using a pseudo SSD which is approximately equal to 60% of the effective SSD determined in air. The calculated PDD curves at ESSD using this divergence factor agree well with measurements (within +/- 1% for beams of 100-300 kVp with cone size ranging from 10 x 10 to 20 x 20 cm2 and gap distance up to 15 cm).