Simulation and experimental verification of X-ray spectra

Abstract

A model is discussed which describes the generation of X-rays in conventional tubes using tabulated Bremsstrahlung energy spectra depending on three variables: the target atomic number, the incident electron kinetic energy, and the fraction of energy radiated. The constructed model includes technical tube parameters like kilovoltage, target material and target angle to also account for self-absorption in the target, as well as radiographic parameters like filtering. Additionally a parameter-free description of the characteristic radiation is included in the model. With the help of the simulation tool the influence of parameters can be separately studied. The validity of the proposed model is shown by measurements. This research is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology under contract MNPQ transfer II D 5-30/06. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.