Reconstruction of diagnostic x-ray spectra by numerical analysis of transmission data

Numerical reconstruction of x-ray spectra from narrow-beam transmission data was tested with published spectra in the range from 45 to 100 kVp. Transmission curves were calculated from the spectra to simulate measured data. Spectra were reconstructed from these transmission curves with use of an iterative numerical analysis. Comparison of the calculated spectra with the original spectra shows good agreement, including the tungsten characteristic x rays. This demonstrates the potential usefulness of measured transmission data for deducing x-ray spectra in the diagnostic energy range.