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On the measurement of half‐value layer in film–screen mammography
Author(s) -
Wagner Louis K.,
Archer Benjamin R.,
Cerra Frank
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.596444
Subject(s) - half value layer , attenuation , mammography , materials science , optics , consistency (knowledge bases) , ionization chamber , ionization , radiation , physics , medicine , mathematics , geometry , cancer , breast cancer , radiation shielding , ion , quantum mechanics
Sources of variations in the measurement of half‐value layer (HVL) in film–screen mammography are evaluated. Two principal sources are the energy responses of ionization chambers and the elemental compositions of the 1100 aluminum‐alloy attenuation materials. Methods in measuring the thickness of attenuation materials are also an important potential source of error. These factors as well as the influence of geometry of measurement, position of measurement in the field, and precision of radiation output are examined. Recommendations for consistency in measurement are provided.