The use of photon counting detection technology has resulted in significant X-ray imaging research interest in recent years. Computed Tomography (CT) scanners can benefit from photon-counting detectors, which are new technology with the potential to overcome key limitations of conventional CT detectors. Researchers are still studying the effectiveness and sensitivity of semiconductor detector materials in photon counting detectors for detecting soft tissue contrasts. This study aimed to characterize the performance of the Cadmium Zinc Telluride photon counting detector in identifying various tissues. An optimal frame rate per second (FPS) of CZT detector was evaluated by setting the X-ray tube voltage and current at 25 keV, 35 keV and 0.5 mA, 1.0 mA respectively by keeping the optimum FPS fixed, the detector energy thresholds were set in small steps from 15 keV to 35 keV and the Currents were set for X-ray tubes in ranges of 0.1 mA to 1.0 mA to find the relationship between voltage and current of the X-ray source and counts per second (CPS). The samples i.e., fat, liver, muscles, paraffin wax, and contrast media were stacked at six different thickness levels in a stair-step chamber made from Plexi-glass. X-ray transmission at six different thicknesses of tissue samples was also examined for five different energy (regions) thresholds (21 keV, 25 keV, 29 keV, 31 keV, and 45 keV) to determine the effect on count per second (CPS). In this study, 12 frames per second is found to be the optimum frame rate per second (FPS) based on the spectral response of an X-ray source and CPS has a linear relationship with X-ray tube current as well. It was also noted that A sample's thickness also affects its X-ray transmission at different energy thresholds. A high sensitivity and linearity of the detectors make them suitable for use in both preclinical and medical applications.

翻译：近年来，光子计数探测技术的应用引发了X射线成像领域的广泛研究兴趣。计算机断层扫描（CT）扫描仪可受益于光子计数探测器，这项新技术有望克服传统CT探测器的关键局限性。研究人员仍在探索半导体探测器材料在光子计数探测器中检测软组织对比度的有效性和灵敏度。本研究旨在表征碲锌镉光子计数探测器在识别不同组织时的性能。通过将X射线管电压和电流分别设置为25 keV、35 keV及0.5 mA、1.0 mA，评估了CZT探测器的最佳帧率（FPS）。在固定最佳FPS的条件下，将探测器能量阈值以15 keV至35 keV的小步长设置，并将X射线管电流设置在0.1 mA至1.0 mA范围内，以探究X射线源电压与电流对每秒计数（CPS）的关系。将脂肪、肝脏、肌肉、石蜡和造影剂等样本以六种不同厚度层级堆叠在由有机玻璃制成的阶梯式样品室中。同时，针对五个不同能量阈值区域（21 keV、25 keV、29 keV、31 keV和45 keV），检测了六种不同厚度组织样本的X射线透射率，以分析其对每秒计数（CPS）的影响。本研究发现，基于X射线源的光谱响应，12帧/秒为最佳帧率，且CPS与X射线管电流呈线性关系。此外，样本厚度也会影响其在不同能量阈值下的X射线透射率。探测器的高灵敏度与线性度使其适用于临床前研究和医学应用。