Dosimetric response of Gafchromic™ EBT-XD film to therapeutic protons

The EBT-XD model of Gafchromic™ films has a broader optimal dynamic dose range, up to 40 Gy, compared with its predecessor models. This characteristic has made EBT-XD films suitable for high-dose applications, such as stereotactic body radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery, as well as ultra-high dose rate FLASH radiotherapy. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the dependence of EBT-XD film response on linear energy transfer (LET) and dose rate of therapeutic protons from a synchrotron. A clinical spot-scanning proton beam was used to study LET dependence at three dose-averaged LET values of 1.0 keV/μm, 3.6 keV/μm, and 7.6 keV/μm. A research proton beamline was used to study dose rate dependence at 150 Gy/s in the FLASH mode and 0.3 Gy/s in the non-FLASH mode. Film response data from dose-averaged LET values of 0.9 keV/μm and 9.0 keV/μm of the proton FLASH beam were also compared. Film response data from a clinical 6-MV photon beam were used as a reference. Both the gray value method and optical density (OD) method were used in film calibration. Calibration results using a specific OD calculation method and a generic OD calculation method were compared. The four-parameter NIH Rodbard function and three-parameter rational function were compared in fitting the calibration curves. Experimental results showed that the response of EBT-XD film is proton LET dependent, but independent of dose rate. Goodness-of-fit analysis showed that using the NIH Rodbard function is superior for both protons and photons. Using the “specific OD + NIH Rodbard function” method for EBT-XD film calibration is recommended.