A method for determining the information capacity of x-ray imaging scintillator detectors by means of luminescence and modulation transfer function measurements

A method to determine the information capacity of x-ray phosphor screens used in the detectors of medical imaging systems is described. Information capacity was determined via x-ray luminescence efficiency (XLE), modulation transfer function (MTF) and emission spectrum measurements. The method was applied to laboratory prepared screens from commonly employed phosphor materials. The screen coating weight varied from 50 mg cm-2 to 140 mg cm-2. Results indicated that information capacity decreased with screen coating thickness but also depended on intrinsic phosphor properties (density, effective atomic number, intrinsic conversion efficiency, light wavelength). The Gd2O2S:Tb phosphor, exhibiting high density and effective atomic number, was found to be superior to La2O2S:Tb and Y2O2S:Tb.