• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2012

The X ray has been widely used in both diagnosis and treatment. Recently, a miniature X ray tube has been developed for radiotherapy. The miniature X ray tube is directly inserted into the body irradiated, so that X rays can be guided to a target at various incident angles according to collimator geometry and, thus, minimize patient dose. If such features of the miniature X ray tube can be applied to development of X ray imaging as well as radiation treatment, it is expected to open a new chapter in the field of diagnostic X ray. However, the miniature X ray tube requires an added filter and a collimator for diagnostic purpose because it was designed for radiotherapy. Therefore, a collimator and an added filter were manufactured for the miniature X ray tube, and mounted on. In this study, we evaluated beam characteristics of the miniature X ray tube for diagnostic X ray system and accuracy of measuring the HVL. We used the Si PIN Photodiode type Piranha detector (Piranha, RTI, Sweden) and estimated the HVL of the miniature X ray tube with added filter and without added filter. Through an another measurement using Al filter, we evaluated the accuracy of the HVL obtained from a direct measurement using the automatic HVL calculation function provided by the Piranha detector. As a result, the HVL of the miniature X ray tube was increased around 1.9 times with the added filter mounted on. So we demonstrated that the HVL was suitable for diagnostic X ray system. In the case that the added filter was not mounted on, the HVL obtained from use of the automatic HVL calculation function provided by Piranha detector was 50% higher than the HVL estimated using Al filter. Therefore, the HVL automatic measurement from the Piranha detector cannot be used for the HVL calculation. However, when the added filter was mounted on, the HVL automatic measurement value using the Piranha detector was approximately 15% lower than the estimated value using Al filter. It implies that the HVL automatic measurement can be used to estimate the HVL of the miniature X ray tube with the added filter mounted on without a more complicated measurement method using Al filter. It is expected that the automatic HVL measurement provided by the Piranha detector enables to make kV-X ray characterization easier.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.217-220
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• 2023

Purpose: This pilot study was conducted to evaluate half-value layer (HVL) measurements obtained using a semiconductor dosimeter for intraoral radiography. Materials and Methods: This study included 8 aluminum plates, 4 of which were low-purity (less than 99.9%) and 4 high-purity (greater than 99.9%). Intraoral radiography was performed using an intraoral X-ray unit in accordance with the dental protocol at the authors' affiliated hospital: tube voltage, 60 kVp and 70 kVp; tube current, 7 mA; and exposure time, 0.10 s. The accuracy of HVL measurements for intraoral radiography was assessed using a semiconductor dosimeter. A simple regression analysis was performed to compare the aluminum plate thickness and HVL in relation to the tube voltage (60 kVp and 70 kVp) and aluminum purity (low and high). Results: For the low-purity aluminum plates, the HVL at 60 kVp (Y) and 70 kVp (Y) was significantly correlated with the thickness of the aluminum plate (X), with Y=1.708+0.415X (r=0.999, P<0.05) and Y=1.980+0.484X (r=0.999, P<0.05), respectively. Similarly, for the high-purity aluminum plates, the HVL at 60 kVp (Y) and 70 kVp (Y) was significantly correlated with the plate thickness(X), with Y=1.696+0.454X (r=0.999, P<0.05) and Y=1.968+0.515X (r=0.998, P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion: This pilot study examined the relationship between aluminum plate thickness and HVL measurements using a semiconductor dosimeter for intraoral radiography. Semiconductor dosimeters may prove useful in HVL measurement for purposes such as quality assurance in dental X-ray imaging.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.15-21
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• 1991

Experiment was conducted on the image quality and exposure dose following replacement of $CaWO_4$ system screen BH-III and BX-III which have so far been used for high-voltage hard-radiation quality radiography, with rare earth system screen KO750, combined with high contrast film SRH, while additional filter was altered, Cu 0.8 mm+Al 1.4 mm(HVL : Al 8.8 mm), Cu 1.3 mm+Al 1.0 mm(HVL : Al 10.6 mm) and Cu 1.8 mm+Al 1.5 mm(HVL : Al 11.4 mm). AS a result, visual evaluation did not detect extreme changes in image quality under the respective condition(HVL : $Al\;8.8\;mm{\sim}Al\;11.4\;mm$). It was noted, however, that surface exposure dose declined with an increase in the thickness of the additional filter, as it was $18.9\;{\mu}Gy$ at HVL Al 8.8 mm, $17.5\;{\mu}Gy$ at Al 10.6 mm and $15.7\;{\mu}Gy$ at Al 11.4 mm. Considering the limited rating of X-ray equipment and wear of machinery, however, the range of $Cu\;1.3\;mm{\sim}1.8\;mm+Al\;1.0\;mm{\sim}1.5\;mm(1/16\;VL{\sim}1/32\;VL)$ seemed to be a limit.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2016

Radiation generating devices must be properly shielded for their safe application. Although institutes such as US National Bureau of Standards and National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) have provided guidelines for shielding X-ray tube of various purposes, industry people tend to rely on 'Half Value Layer (HVL) method' which requires relatively simple calculation compared to the case of those guidelines. The method is based on the fact that the intensity, dose, and air kerma of narrow beam incident on shielding wall decreases by about half as the beam penetrates the HVL thickness of the wall. One can adjust shielding wall thickness to satisfy outside wall dose or air kerma requirements with this calculation. However, this may not always be the case because 1) The strict definition of HVL deals with only Intensity, 2) The situation is different when the beam is not 'narrow'; the beam quality inside the wall is distorted and related changes on outside wall dose or air kerma such as buildup effect occurs. Therefore, sometimes more careful research should be done in order to verify the effect of shielding specific radiation generating device. High energy X-ray tubes which is operated at the voltage above 400 kV that are used for 'heavy' nondestructive inspection is an example. People have less experience in running and shielding such device than in the case of widely-used low energy X-ray tubes operated at the voltage below 300 kV. In this study, Air Kerma value per week, outside concrete shielding wall of various thickness surrounding 450 kVp X-ray tube were calculated using MCNP simulation with the aid of Geometry Splitting method which is a famous Variance Reduction technique. The comparison between simulated result, HVL method result, and NCRP Report 147 safety goal $0.02mGy\;wk^{-1}$ on Air Kerma for the place where the public are free to pass showed that concrete wall of thickness 80 cm is needed to achieve the safety goal. Essentially same result was obtained from the application of HVL method except that it suggest the need of additional 5 cm concrete wall thickness. Therefore, employing the result from HVL method calculation as an conservative upper limit of concrete shielding wall thickness was found to be useful; It would be easy, economic, and reasonable way to set shielding wall thickness.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.4158-4165
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• 2021

In this study, tissue equivalency (TE) of a newly developed epoxy-based phantom to 3-5 years child's tissue was investigated in paediatric energy range. Epoxy-based TE-phantoms were produced at different glandular/adipose (G/A) ratios of 17/83%, 31/69%, 36/64% and 10/90%. A procedure was developed in which specific amounts of boron, calcium, magnesium, sulphur compounds are mixed with epoxy resin, together with other minor substitutes. In paediatric energy range of 40-60 kV_p half-value layer (HVL) values were measured and then Hounsfield Units (HU) were determined from Computed Tomography(CT) scans taken in the X-ray energy range of 80-120kV_p. It is found that radiation absorption properties of these phantoms in terms of the measured HVL values related to linear attenuation coefficients (µ) are very well mimicking a 3 years child's soft tissue in case a ratio of 10/90%G/A. Additionally, the HU values of phantoms were determined from the CT scans. The HU = 47.8 ± 4.8 value was found for the epoxy-based phantom produced at a ratio of 10/90%G/A. The obtained HVL and HU values also support the suitability of the new epoxy based-phantom produced at a ratio of 10/90%G/A for a satisfactory mimicking a 3 years child's soft tissue by 5%. Thus they can have a potential use to perform the quality controls of medical X-ray systems and dose optimization studies.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.1049-1061
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• 2022

Neutron and gamma-ray shielding properties of Inconel 718 reinforced B₄C (0-25 wt%) were investigated using PSD software. Mean free path (MFP), linear and mass attenuation coefficients (LAC,MAC), tenth-value and half-value layers (TVL,HVL), effective atomic number (Z_eff), exposure buildup factors (EBF), and fast neutron removal cross-sections (FNRC) values were calculated for 0.015-15 MeV. It was found that MAC and LAC increased with the decrease in the content of B₄C compound by weight in Inconel 718. The EBFs were computed using G-P fitting method for 0.015-15 MeV up to the penetration depth of 40 mfp. HVL, TVL, and FNRC values were found to range between 0.018 cm and 3.6 cm, between 2.46 cm and 12.087 cm, and between 0.159 cm^-1 and 0.194 cm^-1, respectively. While Inconel 718 provides the maximum photon shielding property since it offered the highest values of MAC and Z_eff and the lowest value of HVL, Inconel 718 with B₄C(25 wt%) was observed to provide the best shielding material for neutron since it offered the highest FNRC value. The study is original in terms of several aspects; moreover, the results of the study may be used in nuclear technology, as well as other technologies including nano and space technologies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.447-454
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• 2012

To examine the performance of a diagnostic X-ray system, we tested a linearity, reproducibility, and Half Value Layer(HVL). The linearity was examined 4 times of irradiation with a given condition, and we recorded a level of radiation. We then calculated the mR/mAs. And the measured value should not be more than 0.1. If the measured value was more than 0.1, we could know that the linearity was decreased. The reproducibility was analyzed 10 times of irradiations at 80kVp, 200mA, 20mAs and 120kVp, 300mA, 8mAs. The values from these analyses were integrated into CV equation, and we could get outputs. The reproducibility was good if the output was lower than 0.05. HVL was measured 3 times of irradiation without a filter, and we inserted additional HLV filters with 0, 1, 2, 4 mm of thickness. We tested the values until we get the measured value less than a half of the value measured without additional filter. We tested the linearity, the reproducibility, and HVL of 5 diagnostic X-ray generators in this facilities. The linearity of No. 1 and No. 5 generator didn't satisfy the standard for radiation safety around 300mA~400mA and 100mA~200mA, respectively. HVL of No.1 generator was not satisfied at 80kVp. The outputs were higher in the three-phase equipment than the single-phase equipment. The old generators need to maintain and exchange of components based on the these results. Then, we could contribute to getting more exact diagnosis increasing a quality of the image and decreasing an expose dose of radiation.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.183-188
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• 2000

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the beam quality of intraoral X-ray equipments used at Yonsei University Dental Hospital (YUDH) using the half value layer (HVL) and the characteristic curve of intraoral standard X-ray film. Materials and Methods : The study was done using the intraoral X -ray equipments used at each clinical department at YUDH. Aluminum filter was used to determine the HVL. Intraoral standard film was used to get the characteristic curve of each intraoral X-ray equipment. Results: Most of the HVLs of intraoral X-ray equipments were higher than the least recommended thickness, but the REX 601 model used at the operative dentistry department and the X-707 model used at the pediatric dentistry department had HVLs lower than the recommended thickness. The slopes of the characteristic curves of films taken using the PANP AS 601 model and REX 601 model at operative dentistry department, the X-70S model of prosthodontic dentistry department, and the REX 601 model at the student clinic were relatively low. Conclusion: HVL and the characteristic curve of X-ray film can be used to evaluate the beam quality of intraoral X-ray equipment. In order to get the best X-ray films with the least radiation exposure to patients and best diagnostic information in clinical dentistry, X -ray equipment should be managed in the planned and organized fashion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.375-379
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to determine the effective energy of a polyenegetic X-ray beam. The half value layer(HVL) of aluminum for 80 kVp X-ray beam was measured by using optically stimulated luminescent nanoDot dosimeters(OSLnDs). The linear attenuation coefficient(${\mu}$) was calculated using the measured HVL. And the mass attenuation coefficient(${\mu}/{\rho}$) was obtained by dividing the linear attenuation coefficient by the density(${\rho}$) of aluminum. The effective energy($E_{eff}$) of the obtained mass attenuation coefficient was determined using data of the X-ray mass attenuation coefficients for photon energies of aluminum given by National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST). As a result, the HVL value is 2.262 mmAl. The ${\mu}$ value is $3.06cm^{-1}$. The ${\mu}/{\rho}$ value is $1.114cm^2/g$. And the $E_{eff}$ value was determined at 29.79 keV.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.3317-3323
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• 2022

Half Value Layer calculations theoretically need prior specification of linear attenuation calculations, since the HVL value is derived by dividing ln(2) by the linear attenuation coefficient. The purpose of this study was to establish a direct computational model for determining HVL, a vital parameter in nuclear radiation safety studies and shielding material design. Accordingly, a typical gamma-ray transmission setup has been modeled using MCNPX (version 2.4.0) general-purpose Monte Carlo code. The MCNPX code's INPUT file was designed with two detection locations for primary and secondary gamma-rays, as well as attenuator material between those detectors. Next, Half Value Layer values of some well-known gamma-ray shielding materials such as lead and ordinary concrete have been calculated throughout a broad gamma-ray energy range. The outcomes were then compared to data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The Half Value Layer values obtained from MCNPX were reported to be highly compatible with the HVL values obtained from the NIST standard database. Our results indicate that the developed INPUT file may be utilized for direct computations of Half Value Layer values for nuclear safety assessments as well as medical radiation applications. In conclusion, advanced simulation methods such as the Monte Carlo code are very powerful and useful instruments that should be considered for daily radiation safety measures. The modeled MCNPX input file will be provided to the scientific community upon reasonable request.