An open-source software for calculating 1D gamma index in radiation therapy

Purpose: This study was developed to create computer software for performing the gamma index comparison between measurement and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation for the percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam offcenter ratio profile (OCR). Materials and methods: The gamma software was built in the matrix laboratory (MATLAB) software environment. The developed software was compared with ScanDosematch and Bistromath software's gamma evaluation to assess its accuracy. A set of reference and evaluated dose distribution, which were obtained from measurement and MC simulation, was input to the software to calculate the 1D gamma index using different criteria (i.e. 3%/3 mm, 2%/3 mm, and 2%/2 mm). Results: We compared the two results of gamma index at 3%/3 mm, 2%/3 mm, and 2%/2 mm criteria, one calculated by the proposed software and one manually. The comparison showed high agreement between the proposed software and theoretical calculation. Conclusions: Based on the results, we concluded that our developed software has high accuracy, compared to theoretical calculation. This software could serve as a non-commercial and open-source tool for researchers and students.