Computation of bremsstrahlung X-ray spectra and comparison with spectra measured with a Ge(Li) detector.

A method of computing theoretical X-ray spectra in the range 30-150 kV is presented. The theoretical spectra are compared with constant potential, high resolution spectra from a tungsten target measured with a Ge(Li) detector, for a range of target angles, tube voltage and filtrations. Above 100 kV the spectra were also measured with a NaI detector but, as there was good agreement between the Ge(Li) and NaI detectors, only the former are presented. Spectra computed using Kramers' theory are also included for comparison, giving fairly good agreement at large target angles (30 degrees) but becoming gradually worse as the target angle decreased. Spectra may be computed by this method for any desired filtration, target angle, and tube voltage between 30 and 150 kV, in excellent agreement with the measured data.