OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at characterizing a diamond detector and observing its behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dosimetric characteristics of 6 MV photon beams were measured by utilizing an automatic PTW MP3 scanning system with a diamond detector, and compared with measurements performed with a PTW 31010 ion chamber. RESULTS: Measurements of dose linearity, dose rate dependence and depth dose distribution as well as dose profiles demonstrated the dosimetric characteristics of the diamond detector. CONCLUSION: Some measurements with diamond detector and ion chamber were validated with results published in the literature, demonstrating a good behavior of the diamond detector as compared with the ionization chamber that is widely utilized for dosimetry in radiotherapy, indicating that the diamond detector is a good choice for small field dosimetry.

Keywords: Diamond; Dosimetry; Radiotherapy.