Affiliations: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325 | Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 | Department of Radiology, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Rootstown, Ohio 44272 | Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114
Abstract: In this study, the electric field dependence on the charge collection process of CdZnTe detectors, at different x-ray tube settings, within the x-ray diagnostic energy range, is investigated. In addition, the detector contrast at different applied bias voltages and x-ray tube settings have been experimentally determined. The experimental results suggest that an efficient charge collection process is obtained by increasing the applied bias voltage. Once the applied bias voltage is sufficiently high, charge collection becomes complete and the detector operates in the saturation region. This is a prerequisite for high contrast and spatial resolution. As a result, the detector contrast is enhanced significantly. Therefore, CdZnTe detectors appear to be potential candidates for digital radiographic applications.
