Purpose: We present photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) imaging of contrast agent triplets similar in atomic number (Z) achieved with a high-flux cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detector.
Approach: The table-top PCCT imaging system included a 330-μm-pitch CZT detector of size 8 mm × 24 mm2 capable of using six energy bins. Four 3D-printed 3-cm-diameter phantoms each contained seven 6-mm-diameter vials with water and low and high concentration solutions of various contrast agents. Lanthanum (Z = 57), gadolinium (Gd) (Z = 64), and lutetium (Z = 71) were imaged together and so were iodine (Z = 53), Gd, and holmium (Z = 67). Each phantom was imaged with 1-mm aluminum-filtered 120-kVp cone beam x rays to produce six energy-binned computed tomography (CT) images.
Results:K-edge images were reconstructed using a weighted sum of six CT images, which distinguished each contrast agent with a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of <0.29 % and 0.51% for the 0.5% and 5% concentrations, respectively. Minimal cross-contamination in each K-edge image was seen, with RMSE values <0.27 % in vials with no contrast.
Conclusion: This is the first preliminary demonstration of simultaneously imaging three similar Z contrast agents with a difference in Z as low as 3.
X-ray diffraction (XRD) tomography continuous to be a promising technology for maintaining a high detection probability with low false alarm rates while adding new threat classes. By collecting the diffracted (coherently scattered) X-rays, one realizes several key advantages over transmission-based systems:
• Measure several additional features by which to identify material composition
• Tomographic 3D spatial imaging with only a single view
• Automatic, PC based, explosives detection algorithms for replacing human operators
A key requirement for XRD technology is excellent energy resolution (ER) of the detectors used in the scanner. Existing spectroscopic detectors offer low enough ER (below 6keV) but, unfortunately, operate at rather low count rate (typically under 1kcps/mm2). As a result, commercial XRD scanners, such as the XRD3500, require long scan times. As a result, it is difficult to effectively use these scanners in airports.
A breakthrough in XRD technology was achieved through the use of coded apertures, which increase the signal amplitude by 2-3 orders of magnitude compared to traditional heavy collimated systems. While the brighter resulting XRD signal requires complex signal processing to eliminate increased scatter, it has been shown to produce a much faster XRD scanner response (seconds instead of minutes). A practical implementation of this new approach requires high count rate (between 1kcps/mm2 and 1Mcps/mm2) while maintaining very low ER (below 6keV) and sub-mm spatial resolution required for angular detection precision.
In the last 5 years, Redlen Technologies has developed high-flux CZT detection technology for medical Computed Tomography (CT) that is currently being deployed by major medical OEMs into clinical applications. The technology is based on a 22x34 [748 pixels] 2-D array with a pixel pitch of 330um. The associated high-speed photon counting ASIC that allows for event detection operates up to 250Mcps/mm2. Recently we have found a way to reconfigure that detector technology platform into an XRD platform.
In this paper we will present experimental results of our 2-D 22x32 CZT pixel array that is currently available for deployment into XRD scanner platforms. The CZT sensors used in this platform are 2mm thick with a 330 um pixel pitch and operate without polarization up to 250Mcps/mm2. In the CT mode, the detectors operate in the 16-190 keV range with energy resolution of 6.9 keV and standard deviation of 0.7 keV across 748 pixels. In the XRD mode, the detectors operate in the 12-150 keV range with energy resolution of mean value of 5.6keV and standard deviation of 0.6keV across 748 pixels. We believe these performance levels are more than sufficient to enable operating XRD scanner at the optimum performance levels.
CZT detectors are primary candidates for many next-generation X-ray imaging systems. These detectors are typically operated in either a high precision, low flux spectroscopy mode or a low precision, high flux photon counting mode. We demonstrate a new detector configuration that enables operation in a high precision, medium flux spectroscopy mode, which opens the potential for a variety of new applications in medical imaging, non-destructive testing and baggage scanning. In particular, we describe the requirements of a coded aperture coherent scattering X-ray system that can perform fast imaging with accurate material discrimination.
This paper presented a new carrier board attachment method for pixellated CdZnTe (CZT) radiation detectors by using a
special type of anisotropic conductive film (ACF) based on micro-wires. This ACF has very small pitch, high vertical
electrical conductivity, and strong mechanical strength. It was found to be suitable for pixellated CZT detector assembly
by optimizing detector fabrication processes and attachment conditions. ACF attached detector modules showed
excellent spectra responses. Long-term stability and reliability tests on these detectors showed promising results. This
ACF attachment technology had been successfully used for pixellated CZT detectors with various physical dimensions
and anode pixel patterns.
A special CdZnTe (CZT) device on THM grown crystal has been developed. The device has different work function
metals on opposite electrodes yet operates at room temperature like a conventional back-to-back symmetric MSM
detector and not a one directional Schottky diode device. Aiming at creating a big breakthrough in CZT imaging device
technology, the special CZT device presented in this study is capable of increasing the photopeak count by up to 50%
compared to conventional CZT imaging device while maintaining good room temperature energy resolution by not
significantly trading off detector leakage current. Pixel pad size and interpixel gap on a 20x20x5 mm3, 8x8 pixel pattern
that result in optimum detector efficiency and interpixel resistance are presented. Sensitivity improvement impact on
other device configuration will also be discussed. The design is highly practical, reliable and suitable for mass
production.
The excellent room temperature spectral performance of cadmium zinc telluride detectors grown via the Traveling
Heater Method (THM) makes this approach suitable for the mass deployment of radiation detectors for applications in
homeland security and medical imaging. This paper reports our progress in fabricating thicker and larger area detectors
from THM grown CZT. We discuss the performance of such 20x20x10 mm3, and 10x10x10 mm3 monolithic pixellated
detectors and virtual Frisch-Grid 4x4x12 mm3 devices, and describe the various physical properties of the materials.
Multiplexers are one of the most important elements in readout front-end ASICs for multi-element detectors in medical
imaging. The purpose of these ASICs is to detect signals appearing randomly in many channels and to collect the
detected data in an ordered fashion (de-randomization) in order to send it to an external ADC. ASIC output stage
functionality can be divided into two: pulse detection and multiplexing. The pulse detection block is responsible for
detecting maximum values of signals arriving from the shaper, sending a flag signal indicating that the peak signal has
been detected and storing the pulse in an analog memory until read by ADC. The multiplexer in turn is responsible for
searching for active flags, controlling the channel that has detected the peak signal and performing reset functions after
readout. There are several types of multiplexers proposed in this paper, which can be divided into several classes:
synchronous, synchronized and asynchronous. Synchronous circuits require availability of the multiphase clock
generator, which increases the power dissipation, but simultaneously provide very convenient mechanism that enables
unambiguous choice of the active channel. This characteristics leads to 100% effectiveness in data processing and no
data loss. Asynchronous multiplexers do not require clock generators and because of that have simpler structure, are
faster and more power efficient, especially when data samples occur seldom at the ASIC's inputs. The main problem of
the asynchronous solution is when data on two or more inputs occur almost at the same time, shorter than the
multiplexer's reaction time. In this situation some data can be lost. In many applications loss of the order of 1% of the
data is acceptable, which makes use of asynchronous multiplexers possible. For applications when the lower loss is
desirable a new hierarchy mechanism has been introduced. One of proposed solutions is a synchronized binary tree
structure, that uses many simple asynchronous clock generators. This circuit joins advantages of synchronous and
asynchronous solutions resulting in low power dissipation, high speed of operation and 100% effectiveness.
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