Study of dosimetric water equivalency of PRESAGE® for megavoltage and kilovoltage x-ray beams

PRESAGE is a dosimeter that is suitable for 3D dosimetry. To be used as an ideal dosimeter, however, it should present radiologically water equivalent properties. In this work, we have investigated the radiological properties of three different PRESAGE^® formulations. The radiological water equivalence was assessed by comparing the photon cross sections and radiation dosimetry properties of the three different PRESAGE^® formulations with the corresponding values for water. Relative depth doses were calculated using Monte Carlo methods for 75, 125, 180 and 280 kVp and 6 MV x-ray beams. Based on the results of this study, the PRESAGE^® formulations with lower halogen content are more dosimetrically water equivalent.