Feasibility study of the use of a silicon photomultiplier coupled to a scintillator for kVp measurement based on spectrometry

Author(s)

da Silva, Jonathan Rodrigues ; Murata, Helio Massaharu ; dos Santos, Leonardo Camargo ; Nunez, Juan Antonio Alcantra ; Carvalho, Diego Vergacas de Souza ; dos Santos, Adelson Duarte ; Rodriguez, Ubaldo Banos ; Potiens, Maria da Penha Albuquerque ; Bonifacio, Daniel Alexandre Baptista

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Radiation Physics and Chemistry; v. 229, p. 9-pg., 2024-12-06.

Abstract

This study proposes a spectroscopic and non-invasive approach to measure the kVp of an X-ray tube using a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) coupled to a GaGG scintillator crystal. Several experimental setups were explored to assess the feasibility and performance in measuring the kVp based on international standards IEC 61267:2005 and IEC 61676:2002. The energy spectrum was obtained through pulse height analysis. System calibration was performed using radioactive sources emitting characteristic X-rays and gamma radiation. Determination of the maximum energy of the X-ray spectrum was based on a linear regression aiming for a goodness of the fit to reduce uncertainty in kVp. The approach was successfully evaluated for specific radiology beams, including mammography, with a maximum uncertainty of 6.5% in the kVp values for the tested beam qualities. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 23/00079-8 - Development of a radionuclide identifier based on nuclear spectroscopy and machine learning techniques
• Grantee: Ubaldo Baños Rodríguez
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE