Where is bremsstrahlung radiation mainly produced during patient treatment?

Bremsstrahlung radiation, which is a type of radiation produced when charged particles, such as electrons, are decelerated or deflected by other charged particles, predominantly occurs in the accelerator head during patient treatment.

In the context of radiation therapy, high-energy electrons are generated in the accelerator head, where they are subsequently directed toward a target material. As these electrons strike the target, they rapidly lose energy, resulting in the emission of bremsstrahlung radiation. This radiation is significant because it contributes to the therapeutic dose delivered to the patient, as well as to any scatter radiation present in the treatment area.

Understanding the role of the accelerator head is critical for both safety protocols and for optimizing dose delivery, as it is the primary source of bremsstrahlung in the treatment process. This process is crucial to the efficacy of radiotherapy and must be taken into consideration during the planning and delivery of treatment.