A novel method to measure the zero-frequency DQE of a non-linear imaging system

Michael C. McDonald; Ho Kyung Kim; John H Henry; Ian A. Cunningham

doi:10.1117/12.878369

16 March 2011 A novel method to measure the zero-frequency DQE of a non-linear imaging system

Michael C. McDonald, Ho Kyung Kim, John H Henry, Ian A. Cunningham

Proceedings Volume 7961, Medical Imaging 2011: Physics of Medical Imaging; 79610C (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.878369
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2011, Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), Florida, United States

Abstract

A new method of measuring the zero-frequency value of the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of x-ray detectors is described. The method is unique in that it uses what we call a "simulated neutral-attenuator" method to determine the system gain derived from image-based measurements of x-ray transmission through a thin copper foil of known thickness. Since this method uses only low-contrast image structure, it is a true measure of the "small-signal" system gain which is assumed piece-wise linear. A theoretical expression is derived for the linearized pixel value which is the pixel value that a linear system would have for the test conditions. Combining this with the measured detector exposure and zero-frequency value of the Wiener noise power spectrum provides the DQE. It is shown this method gives a DQE value that is in agreement with conventional test methods on a linear flat-panel detector, and that the same DQE value is obtained when using both raw (linear) and processed (non-linear) images.

Citation Download Citation

Michael C. McDonald, Ho Kyung Kim, John H Henry, and Ian A. Cunningham "A novel method to measure the zero-frequency DQE of a non-linear imaging system", Proc. SPIE 7961, Medical Imaging 2011: Physics of Medical Imaging, 79610C (16 March 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.878369

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