Characterization tests of a homemade ionization chamber in mammography standard radiation beams

A mammography homemade ionization chamber was developed to be applied for mammography energy range dosimetry. This chamber has a sensitive volume of 6cm3 and is made of a Lucite body and graphite coated collecting electrode. Characteristics such as saturation, ion collection efficiency, linearity of chamber response versus air kerma rate and energy dependence were determined. The results obtained with the mammography homemade ionization chamber are within the limits stated in international recommendations. This chamber can be used in quality control programs in the diagnostic radiology area. All measurements were carried out at the Calibration Laboratory of IPEN. •We constructed a mammography homemade ionization chamber. It was submitted to standard mammography X-rays beam qualities.•The results obtained showed good agreement with international standards.•This chamber can be used in quality control programs of diagnostic radiology area.