Dispersion of Rhizophora spp wood phantom in diagnostic X-rays

This paper focuses on the study of dispersion properties of Rhizophora spp. (mangrove) wood phantom when exposed to X-rays. The main objective of the dispersion study was to identify the highest dispersion direction. Four pieces of Rhizophora Spp. wood phantom of the same size but different thickness were tested in this study. The dispersion of the phantom was traced by using thermal luminescence dosimetry (TLD). As much as 8 TLDs were used in each phantom. These TLDs were numbered as TLD 1 to 8 and were placed surrounding the phantom in counter clockwise arrangement. The setup of experimental apparatus was kept the same for every repeated experiment. The focal length was kept at 100cm, current used was 100mA at exposure time 0.20 seconds and exposure area (field size) of 138}132 mm2. When the kilovoltage peak (kVp) value was varied, the other parameter value was fixed. Results showed that the dispersion from Rhizophora spp. wood phantom was at the back (TLD position was 3 ± 4 %). The dispersion of Rhizophora spp. wood phantom increased when all the parameters increased except for enhanced focal length. The outcome of this study indicates that the Rhizophora spp. wood phantom is an alternative tool to use as a phantom for diagnostic study as it has tissue equivalent features. The dispersion of Rhizophora spp. wood phantom was also found lower in high photon energy (kVp high), suggesting that it can produce optimum dose if applied to body tissues. Further development is to vary the other parameters (focal length, current, exposure time, and field size) to proof it is suitable as a phantom to use in diagnostic study if applied to body tissue.