Preliminary investigation on the effect of x-ray beam hardening on detective quantum efficiency and radiation dose

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of beam hardening on the detective quantum efficiency and the radiation dose provided by the imaging system. Both studies involved a comparison of values determined without added beam hardening to those resulting from a range of beam hardening. Under the specific experimental conditions of the study, the detective quantum efficiency comparison revealed only small changes in the system performance, and the dose comparison indicated the potential of reducing the dose through the use of beam hardening. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the effects of beam hardening on both quantities, as well as the correlation between them.