An image quality comparison of standard and dual-side read CR systems for pediatric radiology.

An objective analysis of image quality parameters was performed for a computed radiography (CR) system using both standard single-side and prototype dual-side read plates. The pre-sampled modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) for the systems were determined at three different beam qualities representative of pediatric chest radiography, at an entrance detector air kerma of 5 microGy. The NPS and DQE measurements were realized under clinically relevant x-ray spectra for pediatric radiology, including x-ray scatter radiations. Compared to the standard single-side read system, the MTF for the dual-side read system is reduced, but this is offset by a significant decrease in image noise, resulting in a marked increase in DQE (+40%) in the low spatial frequency range. Thus, for the same image quality, the new technology permits the CR system to be used at a reduced dose level.

Influence of cassette type on the DQE of CR systems.

In our recent paper by Monnin et al. [Med. Phys. 33, 411-420 (2006)], an objective analysis of the relative performance of a computed radiography (CR) system using both standard single-side (ST-VI) and prototype dual-side read (ST-BD) plates was reported. The presampled modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) for the systems were determined at three different beam qualities representative of paediatric chest radiography, at an entrance detector air kerma of 5 microGy. Experiments demonstrated that, compared to the standard single-side read system, the MTF for the dual-side read system was slightly reduced, but a significant decrease in image noise resulted in a marked increase in DQE (+40%) in the low spatial frequency range. However, the DQE improvement for the ST-BD plate decreased with increasing spatial frequency, and, at spatial frequencies above 2.2 mm(-1), the DQE of the dual-side read system was lower than that of the single-side one.

Comparaison des performances des systèmes CR à aiguilles et à poudre en mammographie.

Objectifs: Comparaison des performances en qualité d'image des deux types de systèmes CR. Matériels et méthodes: Les performances ont été mesurées au moyen de la fonction de transfert de modulation (FTM), du spectre de bruit, de l'efficacité quantique de détection (DQE),le seuil de détection du contraste en épaisseur d'or et la dose glandulaire moyenne. Les systèmes CR à aiguilles Agfa HM5.0 et Carestream SNP-M1 ont étécomparés aux systèmes à poudre Agfa MM3.0, Fuji ProfectCS et Carestream EHR-M3. Résultats: La FTM à 5mm-1 de Agfa HM5,0 et Carestream SNP-M1 est 0,21 et 0,27, et entre 0,14 et 0,16 pour les systèmes à poudre. Un DQE maximal de 0,51 et 0,5 a étéobtenu pour Agfa HM5,0 et Carestream SNP-M1, et 0,35, 0,50 et 0,34 pour Agfa MM3,0, Fuji Profect et Carestream EHR-M3. Des valeurs de DQE à 5mm-1 de0,18 et 0,13 ont été obtenues pour Agfa HM5,0 et Carestream SNP-M1, et entre 0,04 et 0,065 pour les systèmes à poudre. Les seuils de détection du contrastede Agfa HM5,0 et Carestream SNP-M1 étaient 1,33im et 1,29im, et 1,45im et 1,63im pour Agfa MM3,0 et Fuji Profect. Conclusion: Les systèmes à aiguilles offrent des meilleures FTM et DQE et un seuil de visibilité du contraste plus bas que les systèmes à poudre .

Structural and electrical properties of Fe-doped TiO2 thin films

The present study discusses the effect of iron doping in TiO2 thin films deposited by rf sputtering. Iron doping induces a structural transformation from anatase to rutile and electrical measurements indicate that iron acts as an acceptor impurity. Thermoelectric power measurement shows a transition between n-type and p-type electrical conduction for an iron concentration around 0.13 at.%. The highest p-type conductivity at room temperature achieved by iron doping was 10(-6) S m(-1).

7Ni-O chemical interaction and the transition temperature of Ni-doped Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8

We find that even very low Ni doping levels of high-quality Bi2Sr2Ca1Cu2O8 single crystals strongly affect the transition temperature T(c). We also observed that T(c) is not related to the total Ni concentration, but only to that of Ni engaged in NiO-type bonds. By controlling the temperature during crystal growth, one can modify the relative weight of Ni in NiO-type bonds with respect to other configurations-and therefore T(c).

A comparison of the imaging characteristics of the new Kodak Hyper Speed G film with the current T-MAT G/RA film and the CR 9000 system.

Three standard radiation qualities (RQA 3, RQA 5 and RQA 9) and two screens, Kodak Lanex Regular and Insight Skeletal, were used to compare the imaging performance and dose requirements of the new Kodak Hyper Speed G and the current Kodak T-MAT G/RA medical x-ray films. The noise equivalent quanta (NEQ) and detective quantum efficiencies (DQE) of the four screen-film combinations were measured at three gross optical densities and compared with the characteristics for the Kodak CR 9000 system with GP (general purpose) and HR (high resolution) phosphor plates. The new Hyper Speed G film has double the intrinsic sensitivity of the T-MAT G/RA film and a higher contrast in the high optical density range for comparable exposure latitude. By providing both high sensitivity and high spatial resolution, the new film significantly improves the compromise between dose and image quality. As expected, the new film has a higher noise level and a lower signal-to-noise ratio than the standard film, although in the high frequency range this is compensated for by a better resolution, giving better DQE results--especially at high optical density. Both screen-film systems outperform the phosphor plates in terms of MTF and DQE for standard imaging conditions (Regular screen at RQA 5 and RQA 9 beam qualities). At low energy (RQA 3), the CR system has a comparable low-frequency DQE to screen-film systems when used with a fine screen at low and middle optical densities, and a superior low-frequency DQE at high optical density.