X-ray spectrometry applied for determination of linear attenuation coefficient of tissue-equivalent materials (Reprinted from Radiation Physics and Chemistry, vol 160, pg 89-95, 2019)

Resin-based materials equivalent to water were developed and four different samples were obtained. The linear attenuation coefficients of all samples was evaluated using X-ray spectrometry with primary and transmitted beams using voltages at the ranging from 60 to 120 kV. The experimental measured values were compared with theoretical reference values to water and with that obtained using the Least Square Method algorithm methodology (method applied to diagnostic radiology and radiotherapy). Our results show that differences between the measured values and the target mu(E) was lower than 7%+/- 0.3 in the energy range from 20 to 80 keV. These results enable to consider that the material developed and produced is a good option to be used as a water-equivalent material and the experimental method adequate to its quantitative evaluation.