Simulation of the imaging performance of x-ray image intensifier/TV camera chains

The signal and noise propagation through a generalized x-ray image intensifier/TV camera chain is modeled in terms of the modulation transfer function, two dimensional noise power spectrum, and detective quantum efficiency. The model covers effects of energy dependent x- ray absorption in the cesium iodide entrance screens, K-fluorescence and K-reabsorption, electron optics, output screens, lenses and also sensing with electronic pick-up tubes (plumbicons) or CCD sensors. Several Philips x-ray image intensifiers in combination with plumbicon TV-chains and with laboratory type CCD cameras are compared with the model. Based on the model results we further present an image simulation tool. The image simulation allows a direct evaluation of the impact of the individual components of the imaging chain on image quality. It is shown that future high resolution CCD systems can exhibit a superior image quality as compared with electronic pick-up tube systems.

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