Quality (philosophy)

Quantum mechanics

Detector

Pixel

Engineering

Pure mathematics

Image quality

Field (mathematics)

Photon counting

Energy (signal processing)

Medical physics

Iterative reconstruction

Computer science

Resolution (logic)

Image resolution

Photon

Physics

Mathematics

Optics

Image (mathematics)

X-ray detector

Electronics

Artificial intelligence

Field of view

Computer vision

Electrical engineering

Physics in Medicine and Biology

The introduction of photon-counting detectors is expected to be the next major breakthrough in clinical x-ray computed tomography (CT). During the last decade, there has been considerable research activity in the field of photon-counting CT, in terms of both hardware development and theoretical understanding of the factors affecting image quality. In this article, we review the recent progress in this field with the intent of highlighting the relationship between detector design considerations and the resulting image quality. We discuss detector design choices such as converter material, pixel size, and readout electronics design, and then elucidate their impact on detector performance in terms of dose efficiency, spatial resolution, and energy resolution. Furthermore, we give an overview of data processing, reconstruction methods and metrics of imaging performance; outline clinical applications; and discuss potential future developments.

Photon-counting x-ray detectors for CT