Energy imparted to fluorescent screens from primary and scattered radiation. Variations with atomic composition and...

The effects of thickness and atomic composition of fluorescent screens on the impartation of primary and scattered radiation is analysed. Different fluorescent screens give rise to different quotients epsilon p/epsilon s of energy imparted from primary and scattered radiation respectively, due to their variation in atomic composition and thickness. The image contrast in a given radiation field therefore varies with the choice of screen. Energy imparted by primary and scattered radiation in different fluorescent screens has been calculated as a function of tube voltage using a simple analytical model. Comparison of the results for fluorescent screens of different thicknesses with hypothetical screens with both negligible and total absorption has been made. From the results it is evident that the image contrast increases with increased detector thickness if scattered radiation is present. The trends found in the calculations have been confirmed by measurements of the energy imparted from scattered and primary radiation for a number of fluorescent screens including both commercial and specially made screens. Differences in the ratio epsilon p/epsilon s of up to 50% have been measured, and differences reported by other authors are discussed. Their use of detectors with different response to scattered and primary radiation may explain the discrepancies found.