A PARAMETRIZATION OF THE MASS ATTENUATION COEFFICIENTS FOR ELEMENTS WITH Z = 1 TO Z = 92 IN THE PHOTON ENERGY-RANGE FROM APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 150 KEV

Parametric equations which require only 148 constants to generate mass attenuation coefficients are presented. They are valid for elements (Z from 1 to 92) in the diagnostic radiology photon energy range (from 1 keV, or the L1 absorption edge if Z greater-than-or-equal-to 11, to 150 keV). The deviation from standard tabulated data is in general < 3%, and at all times < 7%. The parametrization is easily implemented on personal computer systems without requiring the input of a large amount of data. The model is compact: typically it requires only approximately 25 kbytes of computer memory. The compact nature of the model enables it to be used, for example, with spread sheet programmes and with subroutines in diagnostic radiology computer modelling.