Spectroscopy of diagnostic x rays by a Compton-scatter method

A method is described for measuring the energy spectra of diagnostic x rays using a high-resolution intrinsic germanium spectrometer. The method is applicable over the wide range of x-ray exposure rates normally used in radiography. Reduction of the high x-ray beam intensity to a level acceptable to the germanium spectrometer is achieved by measuring the spectrum of photons scattered through 90 degrees by a lucite disc. From this measured spectrum the primary spectrum is obtained by calculation. Some typical x-ray spectra are presented.