Measurement of the dose deposition characteristics of x-ray fluoroscopy beams in water

The purpose of this study was to characterize the x-ray dose distribution o f fluoroscopy beams by measuring their percent depth dose curves and latera l dose profiles in a water phantom. Percent depth dose curves were measured near the surface with an Attix parallel plate chamber and deep within the water phantom with a Farmer-type cylindrical chamber. Percent depth dose cu rves were compared to published data where applicable. Lateral dose profile s were measured at depths of 2, 5, 10, and 15 cm in phantom with a Farmer c hamber. Pulsed, 50 mA x-ray beams with peak tube potentials of 60, 80, 100, and 120 kV and half value layers of 1.89, 2.52, 3.20, and 4.09 mm Al, resp ectively, were investigated. (C) 2001 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.