Determination of x-ray spectra and of the scattered component up to 300 kV.

Several x-ray spectra, including those of the ISO reference radiations, were measured by 2-hp Ge detectors. Measurements were carried out in different experimental conditions with regard to detector size, beam collimation, and SDD. A stripping procedure to improve the spectrum analysis was developed on the basis of a detailed evaluation (by means of a Monte Carlo method) of the detector's spurious effects. These effects include K-photon escape, Compton photon escape, electron escape, and collimation effect. The stripping procedure also allows us to determine directly the spectra of possible scattered radiation reaching the detector in addition to the primary beam. When the primary beam is heavily filtered, the leakage radiation from the x-ray tube housing scattered onto the detector may not be negligible even when the x-ray tube is provided with appreciable shielding. Possible practical consequence of these effects are discussed. The results obtained on the ISO x-ray spectra are in agreement with previous determinations. The advantage of the present procedure is its more immediate applicability to Ge detectors of any size and with different beam collimation conditions.