Jing Z, Huda W, Walker JK, Choi WY.
Med Phys. 1996 Jun; 23: 1106.
University of Florida, USA.
We investigated the imaging properties of a scanning slot digital x-ray detector for use in mammography which utilizes a high Z doped plastic scintillating fiber screen as the x-ray-to-light converter. Scatter to primary ratio (S/P) was investigated using Monte Carlo methods. Theoretical calculations were performed of the imaging properties of the scintillating fiber screens including x-ray interaction efficiency, noise characteristics and spatial resolution. S/P for a 8 mm wide slot detector ranged from 0.15 to 0.35 depending on the breast thickness and composition. It was found that a 3 cm airgap reduced the scatter level to that of screen-film mammography with a conventional grid. A 10% by weight tin (Z=50) loaded scintillating fiber screen increased the x-ray interaction efficiency to over 90% at x-ray energies used in mammography. Quantum mottle was more important than the secondary sources of noise due to the x-ray conversion processes in the x-ray detector. The spatial resolution performance of the scintillating fiber screens was dominated by the 20 microns scintillating fiber diameter with MTF values in excess of 50% at the spatial frequency of 20 lp/mm. The excellent imaging properties of tin loaded scintillating fiber screens make them very attractive for use as a scanning slot detector for mammography.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Breast
- Light
- Mammography
- Monte Carlo Method
- X-Rays
- radiography
- NASA Discipline Radiation Health
- Non-NASA Center
Other ID:
UI: 102233992
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