Monte Carlo and experimental characterization of the first AMIRS 103Pd brachytherapy source

TG-43U1 dosimetric parameters of a new brachytherapy 103Pd source, including dose-rate constant, radial dose function, 2D anisotropy function, 1D anisotropy function and anisotropy constant, have been determined using MCNP4C code and have been verified by measurements in Perspex phantoms, using TLD-100 dosimeters calibrated in 60Co radiation field. The comparison of calculated and measured dosimetric parameters showed the validity of Monte Carlo calculations and experimental results. The anisotropy constant was calculated as 0.87 in water and 0.88 in Perspex; and measured as 0.92 in Perspex. Comparing dosimetric parameters of the new source with other source models showed acceptable agreement.