Title: Development of an enhanced method for establishing RQR radiation qualities for diagnostic radiology energy according to IEC 61267

Authors: Abdelouahab Abarane; Mustapha Bougteb; Taibi Zidouz; Abdellatif Talbi; Abderrahim Allach; Mounir Mkimel; Mohamed Zaryah; Mohammed Reda Mesradi; Anas Ardouz; Redouane El Baydaoui

Addresses: Sciences and Engineering of Biomedicals, Biophysics and Health Laboratory, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, 26000, Morocco ' Sciences and Engineering of Biomedicals, Biophysics and Health Laboratory, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, 26000, Morocco ' LEGX, Laboratoire d'Etalonnage Gamma et X, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco; LPMS, Faculté des Sciences, Université IBN TOFAIL, Kenitra, Morocco ' LEGX, Laboratoire d'Etalonnage Gamma et X, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco ' LEGX, Laboratoire d'Etalonnage Gamma et X, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco ' Sciences and Engineering of Biomedicals, Biophysics and Health Laboratory, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, 26000, Morocco ' LEGX, Laboratoire d'Etalonnage Gamma et X, Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires, Rabat, Morocco ' Laboratory of Sciences and Health Technologies, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat, Morocco ' Sciences and Engineering of Biomedicals, Biophysics and Health Laboratory, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, 26000, Morocco ' Sciences and Engineering of Biomedicals, Biophysics and Health Laboratory, Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Hassan First University, Settat, 26000, Morocco

Abstract: In this manuscript, we present the experimental process of producing and characterising primary beam qualities from RQR2 to RQR10 for general radiography applications, following the guidelines of IEC 61267. An enhanced hybrid iterative method was developed for this purpose. The correction coefficients for the ionisation chamber used in the study have been documented and made available. All experiments were conducted at the LEGX laboratory at the 'Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN) ' of Morocco, which is equipped with a HOPEWELL Designs X-ray irradiator. The international code of practice establishes guidelines for the first half-value layer (HVL) and homogeneity of the RQR beam series. By comparing the measured values to these specifications, we observed that the deviation in the first HVL ranged from -1.4% to +3%, while the maximum homogeneity deviation was ±2.8%. The estimated uncertainty is approximately 0.26% using k = 2 for RQR beam qualities. These findings indicate that the RQR beam series commissioned by CNESTEN adheres closely to the specifications outlined by the IEC and IAEA. This validates the new hybrid iterative method. The LEGX now has the capability to provide calibration services for radiation detectors frequently utilised in diagnostic radiology applications.

Keywords: RQR; secondary standard dosimetry laboratory; SSDL; half-value layer; HVL; radiation quality; diagnostic X-ray.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPEC.2025.147300

International Journal of Power and Energy Conversion, 2025 Vol.16 No.3, pp.223 - 237

Received: 12 Feb 2024
Accepted: 16 Apr 2024
Published online: 14 Jul 2025 *

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