Comparative assessment of different computational models for generation of X-ray spectra in diagnostic radiology and mammography

The X-ray spectra predicted by different computational models used in diagnostic radiology and mammography energy range has been assessed by comparison with experimentally measured spectra. The comparative assessment encompassed many figures of merit including qualitative assessment of the spectra shape, the difference in K X-ray yield, transmission curves, half value layers (HVLs) and absorbed dose and effective dose equivalent (EDE) imparted to the adult ORNL hermaphroditic phantom when using X-ray spectra generated with different models at different tube voltages. The calculated spectra with X-raytbc and IPEM agreed well with measured spectra in diagnostic radiology and mammography energy range, respectively. The student's t-test statistical analysis showed there is no statistically significant difference between measured and generated spectra for all computational models investigated in this study. In addition, the MCNP4C-based Monte Carlo calculations showed there is no discernable discrepancy in the calculation of absorbed dose and EDE in the adult ORNL hermaphroditic phantom when using different computational models for generating the X-ray spectra