The determination of x-ray spectra using attenuation measurements and a computer program.

A computer program has been written and tested which will rapidly produce reliable X-ray spectral distributions in intensity or photon flux density from measurements of attenuation data through metal filters under narrow beam conditions. Spectra of two 2 Mev sources have been produced which may be compared with a spectrum derived by the Laplace Transform method of analysing attenuation data, and with a spectrum produced by crystal scintillation spectrometry. Convenient and relatively cheap determinations of X-ray spectra using LiF dosemeters are discussed, and the spectrum from a 500 kev single-shot flash X-ray machine is determined as a demonstration of the method.