Optimum x-ray spectra for mammography: choice of K-edge filters for tungsten anode tubes

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Abstract
The experiments reported show that if the optimum energies calculated by D. Dance and G. Day (see Proc. Seminar Patient Exposure Med. x-ray Diag., Munich, Germany, p.227-44, 1981), based on maximum signal noise ratio are taken as the criterion, a tungsten anode tube with appropriate K-edge filtration can be used successfully for the entire range of breast thicknesses. Such a system would be preferred to a molybdenum-filtered, molybdenum-anode unit for breast thicknesses greater than 5 cm and may be appropriate for magnification mammography where the requirement for a fine focal spot size may demand the higher melting point of a tungsten anode. It may also enable a conventional diagnostic x-ray unit to be used for mammography, were that required.

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