Calculation of x-ray single scattering in diagnostic radiology

Single-scattered energy has been calculated for a water phantom, in a geometrical arrangement that approaches that of the dynamic spatial reconstructor. Recent data on the Rayleigh differential cross-sections of liquid water have been used. The ratio for single-scattered to transmitted radiation is found to be dependent upon incident energy: in the range 20 to 80 ke V, it varies from 0.32 to 0.16. The contribution of the Rayleigh effect to single scattering is of the order of 90% at 20 ke V and 50% at 80 ke V.