Digital imaging in radiology: preliminary results obtained with a high spatial resolution 2D silicon detector

Double-sided microstrip silicon crystals are being tested as detectors for X-rays in the diagnostic energy range (10-100 keV) for digital radiology. An analog-to-digital-converter and CAMAC based acquisition system has been developed to study the imaging capabilities of a silicon microstrip detector with 100 and 200 mu m read-out pitch. The authors present the first images of submillimeter high-contrast phantoms obtained with an X-ray mammography tube operating at high flux density. A preliminary contrast transfer function study was performed; a low frequency contrast of about 0.97 for a high-contrast phantom and a decrease of contrast at a frequency of 5 1p/mm corresponding to the detector intrinsic spatial resolution (100 mu m) were measured.<<ETX>>