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Measured scattered x‐ray energy spectra for simulated irradiation geometries in diagnostic radiology
Author(s) -
Marshall N. W.,
Faulkner K.,
Warren H.
Publication year - 1996
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 - 10.1118/1.597690
Subject(s) - spectral line , imaging phantom , optics , irradiation , beam (structure) , x ray tube , half value layer , detector , materials science , semiconductor detector , physics , x ray , nuclear medicine , scattering , nuclear physics , medicine , mean free path , electrode , anode , quantum mechanics , astronomy
In this study, scattered x‐ray distributions were produced by irradiating an anthropomorphic pelvis phantom under fluoroscopic conditions using incident beams generated at tube potentials between 61 kV p and 112 kV p . Both overcouch and undercouch x‐ray tube orientations were used when irradiating the phantom. The energy spectrum of the scattered x rays was measured with a germanium x‐ray detector. Two measurement geometries were employed: (i) the detector placed at 90° to the incident x‐ray beam to determine the energy spectra incident on the trunk region of staff and (ii) the detector placed at 45° to the x‐ray beam, measuring spectra incident on the head and neck region. The effect of irradiation area on the scattered spectra was also investigated. Spectral distributions, along with mean energy and half‐value layer (HVL) in mm Al, are presented for each spectrum. Energy spectra measured at 90° to the incident x‐ray beam were found to have HVLs approximately 10%–15% greater than the corresponding primary incident spectrum, for both overcouch and undercouch irradiations. The magnitude of the irradiation area had negligible effect on the mean energy and HVL of the spectra.