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Author(s)
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Ballabriga, R (CERN) ; Alozy, J (CERN) ; Bandi, F N (CNA, Seville) ; Campbell, M (CERN) ; Egidos, N (CERN) ; Fernandez-Tenllado, J M (CERN) ; Heijne, E H M (CERN ; IEAP CTU, Prague) ; Kremastiotis, I (CERN) ; Llopart, X (CERN) ; Madsen, B J (CERN) ; Pennicard, D (DESY) ; Sriskaran, V (CERN) ; Tlustos, L (CERN) |
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Abstract
| X-ray imaging is a widely used imaging modality in
the medical diagnostic field due to its availability, low cost, high
spatial resolution and fast image acquisition. X-ray photons in
standard X-ray sources are polychromatic. Detectors that allow to
extract the “colour” information of the individual X-rays can lead
to contrast enhancement, improved material identification or
reduction of beam hardening artifacts at the system level, if we
compare them with the widely spread energy integrating
detectors. Today, in the field of Computed Tomography (CT),
prototypes of clinical grade systems based on Spectral Photon
Counting detectors are currently available for clinical research
from different companies. One of the key system components in
that development is the X-ray photon detector. This paper reviews
the photon detection hardware, from the conversion of X-rays into
electrical signals to the pulse processing electronics. A review of
available photon counting Application Specific Integrated Circuits
(ASICs) for spectroscopic X-ray imaging is presented with
emphasis on the CT medical imaging application |