Determination of Diagnostic X Ray Spectra Scattered by a Phantom

Abstract

Photon spectra are reported that result from the scatter of diagnostic X rays at an appropriate water phantom that represents a patient. The tube voltages considered are between 52 kV and 110 kV, the scatter angles range from 10° to 142° to the normal radiation incidence direction. All spectral measurements were performed with a high-purity germanium detector. Spectral photon fluences are computed from the measured pulse height distribution by using an unfolding procedure. The required response functions of the detection system were obtained by using Monte Carlo methods. Reference is made to a catalogue compiling 35 spectra of scattered X rays in diagnostics resulting from a human substitute, together with information on relevant primary field parameters as well as air kerma for the scattered X rays.