A simple method to determine effective atomic numbers of some compounds for multi-energetic photons

A simple method has been presented for determination of effective atomic numbers (Z(eff)) in some compounds for multi-energetic photons such as Bremsstrahlung X-rays. Effective attenuation coefficient measurements were performed using a linear accelerator (Siemens Primus) which allows a good transmission geometry. Since the X-rays used are heterogeneous in energy, effective photon energies (E-eff) of the given compounds have been estimated first for 6 MV and 18 MV photons. Effective atomic cross-sections obtained from total mass attenuation coefficients have been used to estimate E-eff values. These E-eff values were then used to obtain Z(eff) values of the compounds for 6 MV and 18 MV photons. Finally, with the help of the present simple method it is possible to assign an effective atomic number of a multi-element material for multi-energetic Bremsstrahlung X-rays using the effective photon energies. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.