Digital X-ray imaging using gas microstrip detectors

Gas microstrip detectors (GMDs) could be ideal for use in digital X-ray imaging because of their ability to measure accurately, with virtually no noise, the energy and the position of X-ray photons at radiological counting rates. Thus a GMD based imaging system will have high detective quantum efficiency and will also be capable of dual energy radiography using a single X-ray exposure. As proof of principle, a prototype atmospheric pressure GMD imaging system has been built and its performance characterized by imaging standard phantoms and biological specimens. Using 8 keV X-rays from a copper target a line spread function with a FWHM of 230 /spl mu/m (determined by the photoelectron range of 190 /spl mu/m) was obtained for a gas mixture of 90% Ar and 10% isobutane.