Two-dimensional “transXend” detector for third-generation energy-resolved computed tomography

The “transXend” detector measures X-rays as electric currents and provides the energy distribution of the measured X-rays after analysis. Capabilities of material distinction, effective atomic number measurement, and low-dose exposure computed tomography (CT) with high K-edge contrast agent from the use of the transXend detector in energy-resolved CT have been demonstrated via the first-generation CT measurements. For application of the principle of the transXend detector to the third-generation CT for human subjects in future work, a method for fabrication of a two-dimensional transXend detector is proposed and demonstrated using a commercial two-dimensional detector and two kinds of strip absorbers. The energy-resolved CT is performed by placing a proposed absorber system in front of a two-dimensional detector, which is used for conventional current measurement CT.     

A simulation study on the influence of scattered X-rays in energy-resolved computed tomography

In computed tomography (CT), scattered X-rays are known to cause image quality degradation including low contrast and poor uniformity. Energy-resolved CT (ERCT) is a specialized imaging method that utilizes the measured energy distribution and intensity of detected X-rays when creating images. The influence of scatter in ERCT is expected to differ from conventional CT, which only relies on energy (charge) integration during detection. Monte Carlo simulations were performed with different X-ray beam qualities and contrast agents to determine the influence of scatter on ERCT images. The simulation geometry included a 16 cm diameter cylindrical polymethylmethacrylate phantom containing a 1 cm diameter region filled with iodine or gold contrast agent solution at the center. A detector array collected the photon energy, position, and number of scattering. The image contrast and scatter artifact in the simulated ERCT images were compared as a function of photon energy range. Results show that the scatter artifact in ERCT is correlated to energy and is affected by the beam hardness. Care should be taken while obtaining ERCT images in the low-energy region, specifically near the K-edge of iodine.     

Low dose exposure diagnosis with a transXend detector aiming for iodine-marked cancer detection

The energy resolved computed tomography (CT), which had advantage over conventional CT (twofold higher CT value for iodine contrast agent and being free from beam hardening effect), was shown practical by employing the transXend detector: it measured X-rays as electric current and gave energy distribution of incident X-rays after analysis. This article shows a new application of the transXend detector for estimating the thicknesses of acrylic, iodine, and aluminum in a phantom. For this purpose, the responses of the segment detectors in the transXend detector are changed intentionally with inserting filters. With previously obtained two-dimensional maps for acrylic–iodine and acrylic–aluminum thicknesses, which are shown by the ratios of electric currents measured by the segment detectors, the thickness of materials on the path of the X-rays are obtained by a transmission measurement.     

Low Exposure X-ray Transmission Measurements for Contrast Media Detection with Filtered X-rays

A feasibility study of X-ray transmission measurements for contrast media with less exposure using filtered X-rays and their energy information is described. Based on measurements of the energy spectra of La-filtered X-rays, sensitivity to the contrast media and the relative quantity of dose exposure of filtered X-rays as the ratio to white X-rays are shown. The dose exposure for the measurement of iodine contrast media is reduced by more than 50% with a 400/xm thick La filter. By using a filter with atomic number close to that of iodine such as Cs and Ba, a greater reduction in dose exposure with a smaller increase in the current of the X-ray tube is expected.     

Filter-based energy-resolved X-ray computed tomography with a clinical imager

Filter-based energy-resolved X-ray computed tomography (CT) is an approach for implementing energy-resolved CT imaging using a flat-panel-detector-based cone-beam system. In this study, we performed experiments with a 20-cm-diameter phantom on a clinical X-ray imager. The material density results showed good agreement with the ideal values. We also propose an improved method for obtaining the detector response function and the X-ray spectrum, which requires fewer measurements and will be practical for future clinical use. Issues such as scatter and image noise remain to be addressed.     

Two-dimensional “transXend” detector with band structure absorbers for third-generation energy-resolved computed tomography with improved spatial resolution

Energy-resolved computed tomography (CT) is a method that can generate multiple CT images reconstructed by the X-rays in specific energy ranges. We have previously discussed a lattice absorber type of X-ray detector for energy-resolved CT. We have now developed a band absorber type detector with the aim of improving spatial resolution. We compare spatial resolution and contrast-to-noise ratios for the two types of detectors.     

Response function estimation with fine energy bins for the energy-resolved computed tomography using a transXend detector

A new ‘transXend’ detector system has been developed for energy-resolved computed tomography (CT). It consists of several segmented detectors that measure X-rays as electric currents. Response functions of segmented detectors are estimated using component materials of a body under inspection to unfold X-ray spectra. To avoid material-dependent measurements, response functions inherent to segmented detectors are evaluated by Monte Carlo calculations. CT was performed for a phantom consisting of five resins and was analyzed by the estimated response functions. The linear attenuation coefficients for the five resins have excellent agreement with database values.     

基于重投影的CT图像硬化伪影校正

在工业计算机断层成像(CT)技术中所用的X射线源通常是多能的,检测过程中只能获得多能投影数据,若直接重建图像则会出现硬化伪影,硬化伪影校正是提高重建图像质量的一重要步骤。本文采用重投影的方法来校正由于射线硬化导致重建图像出现的硬化伪影,通过硬化校正后的重建CT图像质量得到显著提高。     

Energy-resolved computed tomography measurements of iron solution and adipose as a simulation for estimating the iron concentration in the human liver

To measure the iron concentration in the human liver, which comprises soft tissue and adipose as well as iron, energy-resolved computed tomography (CT) is applied using a transXend detector. The transXend detector measures X-rays as electric current and gives an energy distribution after analysis. Energy-resolved CT clearly separates iron solution from acrylic, a substitute for soft tissue, whereas conventional current-measurement CT cannot. Using CT values obtained in two different energy ranges, a two-dimensional map of iron, adipose and soft tissue is plotted. With this map, the components in the liver can be identified.     

192Ir CT箱包安检系统中射线的能量硬化和散射

本工作对¹⁹²IrCT箱包安检系统的射线能量硬化和散射进行实际测量和Monte-Carlo模拟计算，对该系统的能量硬化和散射影响予以定量分析，并提供CT图像重建校正的依据和方法。测量与计算结果表明，射线在吸收体中能量硬化的影响大于散射的影响。     

Characterization of dose delivery in a hard X-ray irradiation facility

The Radiation Bioengineering Laboratory at Seoul National University (SNU) operates a user-constructed hard X-ray irradiation facility for radiation biology and radiation therapy physics studies. The system package of YXLON model 450-D08 operating at the anode voltage of up to 450 kV is a key part of the facility, which enables in vitro cell irradiation and animal irradiation for in vivo studies. In this article, dose delivery in the hard X-ray irradiation facility was characterized in terms of the dose vs. operational parametric combination of the facility. The operational parameters included beam tube anode voltage, beam tube current, irradiation time, and beam exit-to-sample distance. Bremsstrahlung X-rays at energy below approximately 20 keV were filtered out by a 3 mm-thick aluminum plate fitted over the 5 mm-thick beryllium window. Gafchromic EBT films were used as radiation sensor materials in dose measurement. The characterization was validated via experimental observation of the in vitro biological responses of cells to radiation exposure. The biological responses obtained using the new hard X-ray irradiator were highly comparable with those obtained using a commercial gamma-ray irradiator.     

Measurement of effective atomic numbers using energy-resolved computed tomography

For ion radiation therapy, the measurement of effective atomic numbers, Z_eff, is necessary to know the material distribution in a human body; the range of ions entering the human body is influenced by the material distribution along their paths. Z_eff, however, cannot be measured at hospitals because monochromatic X-rays with different energies are necessary and are used only at synchrotron facilities. To make Z_eff measurements at hand, we propose energy-resolved computed tomography (CT) using a “transXend detector”. By assigning two narrow energy ranges in the unfolding process of the data obtained by the transXend detector, Z_eff for acrylic and aluminum can be estimated by energy-resolved CT. The estimated Z_eff are compared with those obtained by dual-energy and monochromatic X-ray CT.     

基于基图像TV模型的CT射束硬化校正方法

X射线CT中,X射束硬化导致重建图像中出现伪影,严重影响了图像质量。论文深入分析了射束硬化对原始投影数据的影响,并提出了一种基于基图像TV模型的射束硬化校正方法。该方法首先依据射束硬化的物理特征建立了带有可调参数的初步校正模型;其次,在不同的可调参数条件下,原始投影数据经该模型预处理变换得到多组预处理投影序列;再次,分别对预处理投影序列进行重建得到一系列校正基图像;最后,将基图像的线性组合作为最终重建图像。其中,加权系数的最优解是以最终重建图像的全变分(Total Variation,TV)函数作为目标函数,通过迭代法求得。为验证该算法,对真实的铝柱体模和工业检测件进行了实验,结果表明,该算法对射束硬化引起的杯状和条状伪影均有显著的抑制效果。     

Advantages of Response Function Change in a transXend Detector with Various Scintillators as Substrates of Segment Detectors

To enable practical computed tomography (CT) that uses the energy information of X-rays, the “transXend detector” was developed to provide energy information about incident X-rays by measuring them as an electric current. The transXend detector requires a spectrum survey method in the unfolding process for measuring the energy distribution of incident X-rays, when the response functions of segment detectors have nearly the same behavior. When employing various scintillators with different effective atomic numbers and densities as the substrates of the segment detectors, better convergence is obtained in the unfolding process by using only one initial guess spectrum. Additionally, less dose exposure is possible when using the transXend detector with various segment detectors, compared with the transXend detector that consists of the segment detectors with the same substrate.     

CT image correction for beam hardening using simulated projectiondata

A general beam-hardening correction technique is presented. Knowledge of the CT (computerized tomography) scanner X-ray spectrum is necessary. This postreconstruction method does not require the original projection data. Simulated projections through an uncorrected reconstructed image are used to correct for beam hardening. Errors in the mean linear attenuation coefficient are decreased from 30% to 5% with virtual elimination of the visual streaking artifact. The theoretical image improvement equals that of projection linearization postreconstruction methods using the original projection data. The correction is limited to cases where the material causing the beam hardening is contained within the reconstruction space     

Electron Beam Simulation of Pulsed Photon Effects in Electronic Devices at Very High Doses and Dose Rates

Large high-energy flash X-ray simulation facilities are expensive to build and operate. As a result, the radiation effects community has at it's disposal a limited number of X-ray sources with the capability of providing the very high levels of radiation (hundreds of k rad(Si)) required for R and D. Because of the inefficiency of bremsstrahlung production, an accelerator which provides only small doses in the X-ray mode could readily provide the very high total doses and associated dose rates via direct electron irradiation. A prerequisite for electron beam testing is a satisfactory demonstration of the fidelity of the simulation. This paper presents the experimental details and results of such an assessment. It was demonstrated in this work that electron beams do simulate the effects of high-energy bremsstrahlung X-rays when testing semiconductor devices for very high dose and dose rate effects. However, it was also found that the effects of charge deposition from the electron beam can dramatically perturb the nominal irradiation bias conditions. In electronic devices where radiation induced degradation is a function of applied potentials (e.g., MOS devices), this charge capture can totally invalidate the simulation unless the experimenter is aware of and compensates for the effect.     

Precision X-ray spectroscopy on 8.5 MeVamu heavy ions

A new experimental capability has been developed at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Super-HILAC to investigate questions relating to high resolution atomic spectroscopy. A key element of these measurements is a dual arm Johann spectrometer. The ion beam passes inside the Rowland circle of two curved crystals which are mounted such that diffracted X-rays have equal and opposite linear Doppler shifts. The X-ray lines are detected with high speed X-ray film mounted on the Rowland circle. The beam-crystal geometry is arranged so a spectral range θ_B ~ 30°–70° is detected. The spectrometer efficiency is high with useful exposures obtained with only 10 mC of beam. A wavelength calibration is obtained by simultaneously exposing the film with diffracted K and L X-rays from an X-ray tube. X-ray lines from the beam are slanted, with respect to the calibration lines, due to Doppler shifts arising from X-rays incident on the crystal at angles other than perpendicular to the diffraction plane. The slope of these lines provides an independent determination of the beam velocity, which is used to correct for the transverse Doppler shift. Typical results are presented.     

多束脉冲作用下韧致辐射转换靶照射量模拟

20MeV的强流脉冲电子束经加速聚焦后轰击韧致辐射转换靶,在产生脉冲X光的同时将大量能量沉积在靶内,导致靶材迅速膨胀飞散。在多个束脉冲作用下,后续脉冲由于靶材密度的降低可能无法产生足够的X光照射量。本文采用Monte-Carlo软件MCNP以及流体动力学软件ANSYSAUTODYN对靶材的动力学响应以及各脉冲所能产生的照射量进行了数值模拟,结果表明,在3个间隔500ns的20MeV、2kA、70ns、束斑1.5mm（FWHM）的电子束脉冲作用下,X光照射量无明显降低。     

工业脉冲X射线发生装置放射防护检测与评价方法研究

目的探讨利用热释光剂量计对工业脉冲X射线发生装置进行放射防护检测与评价的可行性。方法分别用热释光剂量计和AT1123型X/γ辐射剂量率仪测量脉冲X射线发生装置的辐射剂量,通过对测量结果的分析和比较验证热释光剂量计测量脉冲X射线的有效性,通过对周围环境中年累积剂量的估算来评价试验人员和公众的受照剂量是否满足辐射防护要求。结果1号脉冲X射线发生装置曝光4次,2号脉冲X射线发生装置曝光10次,热释光法测得不同距离处的累积剂量符合距离平方反比衰减规律,实际检测结果与理论推算值较为吻合。两个X射线发生装置现有的工作负荷下,工作人员和公众的年累积剂量均在辐射防护控制目标值内。结论热释光法得出检测结果与理论推算值较为吻合,能够满足工业脉冲X射线发生装置放射防护检测需求。     

Development of precise energy spectrum measurement technique for high-power pulsed X-ray sources for industrial use

It is difficult to obtain an accurate energy spectrum by measurement for X-rays which are produced by linear accelerators because so many photons are emitted within a very short period and the photons have energies in a wide range. In order to solve the problem, we developed a new technique utilizing the Bayesian estimation method combined with attenuation curve measurement using a step-shaped attenuation material. We experimentally confirmed the validity of the presented technique for an X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. By using the accurate energy information of emitted X-rays obtained by the developed technique, the quality of non-destructive inspection images can be expected to be improved for industrial X-ray radiography, X-ray CT and so on, using high-power X-ray sources.