Calibration and characterization of a digital X-ray fluorescence bone lead system

Five different combinations of digital shaping parameters were tested for a newly assembled. 109Cd source, K X-ray fluorescence bone lead system. System calibration results are presented, along with analyses of measurement uncertainty and reproducibility obtained from repeat measurements of a bone phantom and a human tibia. Digital shaping parameters of 2.4 micros for a rise time/fall time and 1.2 micros for a flat top width were identified as superior. The digital system provided significant improvements in overall measurement precision, with gains of at least 25-35% over conventional system results.