Premium
On optimizing the xeromammographic image
Author(s) -
Fatouros Panos P.,
Rao G. U. V.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.594634
Subject(s) - image quality , xeroradiography , linearity , image processing , computer science , contrast (vision) , image (mathematics) , optics , mathematics , artificial intelligence , physics , radiography , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics
This work undertakes a detailed systems‐based analysis of the xeromammographic process starting from basic considerations. Both the edge enhancement and wide‐recording latitude, the two principal characteristics of xeroradiography, are shown to bear an intimate relationship to the electric‐field distribution. Criteria and methods are formulated for optimizing xeromammographic image quality and a procedure is developed for calculating the white gap. Densitometric curves are derived for both positive‐ and negative‐mode xeroradiography and found to be in excellent agreement with experiment. The question of image linearity is examined carefully and a threshold value for the electrostatic contrast is established, which sets a natural criterion for the application of Fourier analysis. Furthermore, it is shown that, in xeromammography with its inherently low‐contrast structures, an optimal exposure exists which optimizes simultaneously all low‐contrast edges. This last finding, coupled with experimental results, suggests immediately the possibility of an automatic exposure termination in xeromammography. Beam hardening is also investigated and it is shown that increased filtration combined with a lower bias potential leads to substantial dose reduction without significant loss of image quality. The paper concludes with a discussion of scattered radiation and how it affects xeromammographic image quality.