Development of gas microstrip detectors for digital x-ray imaging and radiation dosimetry

Our recent work in the application of gas microstrip detector (GMD) technology to the fields of digital X-ray imaging and radiation dosimetry Is described. The GMD can measure the position and the energy of individual photons at the high counting rates encountered in X-ray imaging. GMD-based imaging systems have high detective quantum efficiency and permit improvement of image quality and contrast using display windowing and measured energy information. Results are presented on the performance of a prototype GMD imaging system operated with a xenon/methane 90/10 gas mixture at 1 atm. Results are also presented on the performance of a GMD filled with tissue equivalent gases for applications in the field of radiation dosimetry in mixed neutron and γ fields. The results show that the GMD can be used for dosimetric discrimination between different types of radiation in mixed-field environments. (author)