Design optimization of a breast imaging system based on silicon microstrip detectors

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiological Imaging
• Detector Technology

Background:

• Mammography relies on X-ray imaging for breast cancer detection.
• Silicon microstrip detectors offer potential for advanced mammographic imaging.
• Optimizing detector geometry and energy spectra is vital for diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simulate and evaluate a mammographic imaging setup using silicon microstrip detectors.
• To determine optimal energy spectra and detector geometries for improved mammography.
• To investigate the impact of scattered radiation on image quality.

Main Methods:

• GEANT simulation package used to model silicon microstrip detectors in edge-on geometry.
• Evaluation of energy deposition in simulated breast tissue.
• Optimization of imaging parameters by maximizing a figure of merit.
• Analysis of scattered to primary radiation ratios for different detector configurations.

Main Results:

• Simulated deposited energy in tissue agreed within 10% of reference calculations.
• Optimal energies and spectra for silicon detector mammography were identified.
• Fan-shaped detector geometries were found necessary to mitigate image degradation from scattered radiation.

Conclusions:

• Silicon microstrip detectors are viable for mammography simulations.
• Detector geometry significantly impacts image quality, especially with divergent beams.
• Fan-shaped detectors are recommended for future mammographic imaging systems utilizing silicon detectors.