Effect of different spectral distributions to image a contrast detail phantom in the mammography energy range

Abstract

Traditionally X-ray sources used in mammography are X-ray tubes. Synchrotron radiation sources have shown better imaging performances, but they cannot replace conventional X-ray tube systems in routine mammographic examinations. A new generation of quasi-monochromatic, high-flux X-ray sources is currently under development, based on Thomson backscattering of photons produced by a laser on a highly focused electron beam. They offer important potential applications in the medical field. In this work, we will discuss an application in the field of mammography, by using a Monte Carlo code, in which the effect of different spectraldistributions and different mean energies on the image quality is studied. A test object, consisting of a block of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) containing air-filled holes (Contrast Detail Phantom) is used for the simulations. Results show 1–2 keV of energy spread for a quasi-monochromatic source produce images whose quality is comparable within 3–4% with those obtained by monochromatic sources and whose visibility is dramatically enhanced with respect to images obtained with X-ray tubes.