Quality control tests for calibration of KAP metes

Abstract

In accordance with IEC 60580:2021, KAP meters are typically calibrated using cylindrical reference ionization chambers aligned with RQR radiation qualities specified by ISO 61267. However, discrepancies in manufacturing geometry between these reference chambers and PKA meters prompted a series of quality control tests to establish an effective calibration methodology. Two distinct tests of quality control were conducted to compare the performance of a reference KAP meter (PDC - Radcal®) with a reference ionization chamber (Radcal® 10x5-180), using the Agfa® PANTAK Constant Potential X-Ray System. These tests included homogeneity assessments with varying horizontal displacements of the reference PDC meter and reproducibility tests at consistent positions. The two tests were conducted for Kerma and PKA unities. A third test is still in progress, the long-term stability, with repeated measurements; as with the tests ago, for Kerma and KAP measurements. These results demonstrated good correlation and traceability between the PDC and the ionization chamber, with reproducibility and homogeneity within an uncertainty margin below 3 %. These findings validate the proposed calibration method for practical applications.