X-RAY DETECTOR OPERABLE IN A MIXED PHOTON-COUNTING/ANALOG OUTPUT MODE

摘要

A method for X-ray detection using a charge-integrating X-ray detector including a photodetector array of pixels, each of which converts incident radiation into accumulated charge during an X-ray exposure, is provided. The method includes, for each pixel, reading out the accumulated charge from the pixel and determining an X-ray charge value from the read out accumulated charge. If the X-ray charge value is less than a photon counting threshold, the X-ray charge value is replaced with a quantized charge value representative of an estimated photon count and recording the quantized charge value as a recorded charge value. If, however, the X-ray charge is equal to or greater than the photon counting threshold, the X-charge value is recorded as the recorded charge value. The method allows operating a charge-integrating X-ray detector in a mixed photon-counting/analog output mode.

主权项

1. A method for X-ray detection using a charge-integrating X-ray detector comprising a photodetector array having a plurality of pixels each of which converts incident radiation into accumulated charge during an X-ray exposure, the method comprising, for each pixel, the steps of:
a) reading out the accumulated charge from the pixel; b) determining an X-ray charge value from the read out accumulated charge; and c) if the X-ray charge value is less than a photon counting threshold, replacing the X-ray charge value with a quantized charge value representative of an estimated photon count and recording the quantized charge value as a recorded charge value; otherwise, recording the X-ray charge value as the recorded charge value.