Light output and X-ray attenuation measurements for some commercial intensifying screens

The spectral content and intensity of light emission together with the x-ray attenuation have been measured for a selection of commercially available intensifying screens used in diagnostic radiology. Incident x-ray beam qualities with half value layers between 3.8 to 10 mm AI were employed in order to simulate a wide range of clinical situations. The measurements of spectral content demonstrate the wide variations in spectral emission which now exist between screens employing different phosphor materials. Similarly, a wide variation in the intensity of light emission is observed for screens employing different phosphor materials and also for screens employing the same material. The interrelation of the measured physical properties affects both the system speed and noise properties and needs to be considered when comparing the performance of different systems.