Performance of glass fiber antiscatter devices at mammographic energies

Using fiber optic manufacturing techniques, it is possible to produce a radiographic grid that discriminates against scattered radiation in two dimensions. Such grids consist of septa composed of glass with a high lead content; the interspace material is air, so that approximately 80% of the grid area is open. In this way, effective high ratio grids can be produced with relatively low Bucky factors. The performance of samples of such grid material is characterized in terms of both scatter rejection and dose efficiency for application in digital mammography in both slot-beam and area-beam geometry. For area beams, five- to tenfold improved scatter rejection relative to conventional grids was observed. In slot configurations, such grids could provide improved SNR/dose performance and more effective utilization of the heat loading capability of the x-ray source.