High-energy (MeV) x-ray imaging with a mercuric iodide imager

G. Zentai; L. Partain

doi:10.1117/12.776537

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29 April 2008 High-energy (MeV) x-ray imaging with a mercuric iodide imager

G. Zentai, L. Partain

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Proceedings Volume 6935, Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems 2008; 69351Y (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.776537
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2008, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

A 13 cm × 13 cm size mercuric iodide (HgI₂) imager was tested for high (MeV) energy X-ray imaging with a 6 MeV Betatron and a 4 MeV Linac x-ray source, and the data were compared to those measured at diagnostic (keV) energies. The 127 μm pixel size imager gave excellent resolution, with a MTF (modulation transfer function) of 45% at the Nyquist frequency, similar to that of measured at diagnostic (keV) energies. The sensitivity of the imager was measured using a 1 mm thick Cu and a 0.5 mm thick Ta buildup plate, placed on the top electrode of the HgI₂ layer and also without any buildup plate. The highest signal levels were obtained without a buildup plate. The imager can also capture fluoroscopic images at up to 15 fr/sec in the full resolution mode, and at up to 30 fr/sec with 2 × 2 pixel binning. . With this imager, small steel objects were clearly visible behind a 1/8" thick steel plate. These experiments with high energy x-rays, demonstrate that HgI₂ imagers can be used, not only for the diagnostic energy range, but also for the MeV energy range. Moreover the same imager can be used for dual energy (keV and MeV) imaging for medical, NDE (non destructive evaluation) and homeland security applications.

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G. Zentai and L. Partain "High-energy (MeV) x-ray imaging with a mercuric iodide imager", Proc. SPIE 6935, Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems 2008, 69351Y (29 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.776537

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