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Title: Information content of low-dose radiographs, Part 1

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/564202· OSTI ID:564202

Two measures (not independent) of radiographic image quality are contrast and spatial frequency response. At normal radiographic exposure levels, noise is not a significant factor in evaluating these parameters. However, when the photon fluence on the detector is less than 100 photons/pixel, the statistical noise in the image significantly degrades the image contrast. This paper presents a method of characterizing the image quality that utilizes both contrast and noise by calculating the net information content of the image (in bits) using the image entropy. An algorithm for calculating information content (IC) is developed and results are presented for simulated radiographs as various radiographic parameters are varied. This Mathematica code is listed in the Appendix. A copper step wedge is radiographed and the actual IC is measured for all the steps which are taken two at a time. This experimental data is compared to simulated results with good agreement. A companion report will show how varying such radiographic parameters as x-ray energy and total dose affect the IC of the image.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-36
OSTI ID:
564202
Report Number(s):
LA-13322-MS; ON: DE98001875; TRN: 98:003197
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Jun 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English