A comparison study of the ridge filter parameter by using FLUKA and GEANT4 simulation codes

We investigated the parameter optimization of the ridge filter's thickness for carbon-ion therapy by using a Monte Carlo simulation. For this study, a ridge filter was designed for the spreadout Bragg peak (SOBP) by considering the relative biological effectiveness (RBE). The thickness, height, and width of the ridge filter were designed by using the FLUKA and the GEANT4 codes, and we analyzed and compared the results of the physical dose distributions for the FLUKA and the GEANT4 codes. The results showed that the minimum width of the groove for the ridge filter should be at least 0.5 cm for an appropriate biological dose. The SOBP sections were 8 cm, 9 cm, and 10 cm, respectively, when the heights were 3.5 cm, 4.0 cm, and 4.5 cm. The height of the ridge filter was designed to be associated with the SOBP width. Also, the results for the FLUKA and the GEANT4 codes showed that the average value of the difference was 3% and that the maximum error was 5%; however, the trends were similar. Therefore, the height and the width of the groove for the ridge filter are important parameters for deciding the length and the plateau of the SOBP.