Calorimetric determination of the absorbed dose to water for medium-energy x-rays with generating voltages from 70 to 280 kV

For medium energy x-rays produced with tube voltages from 70 to 280 kV, the absorbed dose to water, Dw, has been determined by means of water calorimetry with relative standard uncertainties ranging from 0.45% to 0.98% at 280 and 70 kV. The results were confirmed by Monte Carlo calculations, in which the ratios of Dw at 5 cm depth in a reference water phantom to the air kerma free in air, Ka, at the same point in space were compared to the corresponding ratios determined experimentally. The general agreement between measurement and calculation was better than 1%. These results confirm earlier investigations in which the absorbed dose to graphite was determined by means of a graphite extrapolation chamber. For the Monte Carlo calculations, an attempt was made to present a complete uncertainty budget, taking into account type B contributions also. (paper)