Sci-Thur PM: YIS - 08: The effect of copper conversion plates on low-Z target image quality

Current generation electronic portal imaging devices (EPID) contain a 1.0 mm copper conversion plate to increase detection efficiency of a therapeutic megavoltage spectrum. When using these EPIDs for low-Z target imaging, the conversion plate largely attenuates the large populations of diagnostic energy photons, thereby decreasing the benefits of low-Z target imaging. In this work we measure directly the effect the variation in thickness of a copper conversion plate has on image quality in planar and cone beam computed tomography imaging. Monte Carlo modeling was used to quantify changes to the diagnostic spectrum and detector response for low-Z target beams generated with 2.35 and 7.00 MeV electrons incident on a carbon target. Planar contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) measurements were made as a function of copper thickness. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image CNR measurements were made as a function of dose both with and without the copper plate present in the EPID. The presence of copper in the EPID decreased the diagnostic photon population by up to 20% and suppressed the peak detector response at 60 kV by a factor of 6.4. Planar CNR was increased by a factor ranging from 1.4 to 4.0 with no copper present compared to 1.0 mm thickness. Increases in CBCT image CNR ranged from a factor of 1.3 to 2.1 with the copper plate removed. As a result of this we suggest that the copper conversion plate be removed from the EPID when used for low-Z target planar or CBCT imaging.