Novel X-ray detector produces clearer images with much lower radiation dose
Researchers have developed a novel X-ray detector they say can produce clearer images at lower radiation doses.
A new study, published in National Science Review, addresses the longstanding challenge of keeping radiation doses as low as possible without sacrificing image quality. Experts detail how they were able to improve the detector material itself by creating a more uniform perovskite film that collects X-ray signals consistently throughout its thickness; standard detectors have variations in their thickness that cause X-rays to be absorbed at different depths, creating image noise. This makes it challenging to obtain diagnostic quality scans at lower radiation doses.
To address this, the group developed a liquid-phase growth and annealing process that produces thick perovskite detector films with greater vertical uniformity. Compared with conventional detector films, the new devices generate significantly lower image noise while maintaining a stable X-ray response under ultralow dose conditions.
“This enables depth-independent charge collection, significantly reducing stochastic fluctuations in the readout and achieving a ten-fold reduction in image noise,” Jincong Pang, with the Ezhou Institute of Industrial Technology in China, and colleagues explained.
In a series of tests, the detector clearly visualized tooth crowns and roots at radiation doses substantially below those used with a commercial dental X-ray system. The team also successfully imaged a bat skeleton, walnut and orange slice while maintaining fine structural details at the reduced doses.
“In imaging applications, our detectors deliver high-quality X-ray imaging at an ultralow effective per-pixel integration dose of 40.6 nGyair, setting a new benchmark for safe, high-quality clinical imaging,” the team noted.
The findings highlight the importance of detector materials in improving low-dose imaging performance and suggest that advances in detector design could complement AI-based image analysis and reconstruction techniques. They believe lower-noise detectors may ultimately support safer radiographic imaging across a range of clinical applications, including routine diagnostics and large-scale screening programs.
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In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.