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，光子计数检测技术的应用推动了X射线成像研究的显著进展。计算机断层扫描(CT)设备可受益于光子计数探测器这一新兴技术，该技术有望克服传统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效能与灵敏度。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表现。通过将X射线管电压与电流分别设定为25 keV、35 keV及0.5 mA、1.0 mA，评估了CZT探测器的最佳每秒帧数(FPS)；在固定最优FPS的条件下，以15 keV至35 keV的小步长设置探测器能量阈值，并将X射线管电流设定在0.1 mA至1.0 mA范围内，以探究X射线源电压、电流与每秒计数(CPS)之间的关系。研究使用脂肪、肝脏、肌肉、石蜡及造影剂等样本，将其以六种不同厚度堆叠于由有机玻璃制成的阶梯式样品仓中。同时针对五种不同能量阈值区域(21 keV、25 keV、29 keV、31 keV和45 keV)测量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射线源能谱响应，12帧/秒为最佳帧率(FPS)，且CPS与X射线管电流呈线性关系。此外，样本厚度在不同能量阈值下对其X射线透射率具有显著影响。探测器的高灵敏度与线性度使其适用于临床前及医学应用领域。