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  • Title: Equivalent thicknesses of beam hardening filters consisting of aluminium, copper, Al/Cu and Al/Gold combinations and plumbiferous acrylic for 40 to 150 kVp diagnostic spectra.
    Author: Homolka P, Figl M.
    Journal: J Radiol Prot; 2018 Dec; 38(4):1269-1283. PubMed ID: 30115815.
    Abstract:
    PURPOSE: Beam hardening filters used to reduce patient doses typically consist of aluminium, copper, or a combination of both. Optically transparent filters containing lead in plumbiferous acrylic became available. One vendor also uses a combination of aluminium and gold. Data is provided to compare filter thicknesses in terms of half-value layer (HVL) for clinically relevant kVp. METHODS: Equivalent filter thicknesses were defined by identical kVp and 1st HVL. Equivalent copper filter thicknesses were calculated for aluminium and typical filters found in radiographic and interventional systems. A verified semi-empirical spectrum calculation programme and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) mass attenuation coefficients were applied. Lead acrylic filters were simulated by a two-component model of acrylic plus lead with mass thicknesses determined by matching 1 HVLs in Al at RQR5 using filter specifications. RESULTS: Coefficients are provided to convert mm Cu to mm Al and vice versa for tube potentials from 40 to 150 kVp. 1 mm Al corresponds to 27.8 ± 1 μm Cu over the entire energy range simulated. Using this simple model as opposed to simulations of all individual filters made from Al/Cu combinations (1 and 2 mm Al, 1 Al + 0.1 and 0.2 Cu, 1.5 Al plus 0.3 and 0.6 Cu, 2 Al plus 0.1 Cu) for the entire energy range results in differences in equivalent Cu thicknesses below 4 μm Cu (3 μm for 50-150 kVp). kVp dependence is larger for filters containing larger Z elements. 1 mm Al plus 10 μm gold used by Shimadzu corresponds to 75-80 μm Cu, depending on kVp; plumbiferous acrylic with nominal filtrations of 1 Al plus 0.1 Cu, and 1 Al plus 0.2 Cu corresponded to 124-132 μm, and 206-232 μm Cu, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental verification of the equivalence of aluminium and combined aluminium plus copper filters showed excellent agreement between calculated copper equivalent thickness and measurements with copper filters for clinical beams from 40 to 150 kVp.
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