Experimental investigation of the optical signal, gain, signal-to-noise ratio and information content characteristics of X-ray phosphor screens

In this study, the quality of medical images produced by X-ray phosphor screens is described by a model based on the light generation and emission properties of the phosphor material. Combined detector gain (CDG), modulation transfer function (MTF), detective quantum efficiency (DQE) and information capacity (IC) of the screens were expressed and evaluated as functions of emitted optical fluence, incident X-ray fluence and emitted optical spectrum. Phosphor screens with coating thickness ranging from 21 mg/cm² to 137 mg/cm² were prepared in the laboratory and were irradiated by X-rays with X-ray voltages from 50 to 140 kVp. Experimental data were obtained in both transmission and reflection modes of measurement (light emission from both screen sides). Results showed that most image quality parameters (CDG, MTF, DQE) depend strongly on phosphor screen thickness. CDG and DQE also depend on X-ray tube voltage. However, the total quantity of information (IC), which depends on both the incident X-ray fluence and phosphor material type, was not found to be significantly affected by phosphor thickness. Received: 7 September 2000 / Revised version: 8 January 2001 / Published online: 27 April 2001