Spatial distribution of air kerma rate and impact of accelerating voltage on the quality of an ultra soft X-ray beam generated by a cold cathode tube in air. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ounoughi, N.; Mavon, C.; Belafrites, A.; Fromm, M.
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 80(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: Ultrasoft X-ray -- X-ray tube -- Free-air ionization chamber -- Gafchromic films -- Air kerma; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2015.07.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: Ultrasoft X-ray characteristic aluminum K alpha line (Al Kα with energy of 1.5 keV) is used in radiobiological experiments to study the effect of radiation on biological matter. A simple method to generate a continuous beam of those X-ray radiations is to bombarding an aluminum target with accelerated electrons using high voltage (HV). In this work, by varying the HV we study the characteristics of a photon beam generated by means of a cold cathode transmission X-ray tube. The anode is a thin (16 μm) aluminum foil supported by a copper grid. The spatial distribution of air kerma is measured using gafchromic films of HD-810 calibrated with a parallel plate free-air ionization chamber. We show that HV strongly modifies the energetic spectrum and air kerma rate as well as its uniformity and intensity in air. Highlights: We measured energy spectrum of X-ray beam. We calibrate the Gafchromic films to measure air kerma of X-ray beam. Spatial air kerma rate is determined and interpreted. We define dimensions and position of future biological sample irradiation using Al Kα X-ray.