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A figure of merit for the assessment of image intensifier systems

Riverside District Department of Medical Physics, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK ^* Clinical Physics Department, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK

A dimensionless figure of merit (F), which combines key aspects of the performance of image intensifier systems, is derived. This figure is ideally independent of input air kerma rate and field size and relates to the fundamental characteristics of the image reception chain. In practice it is calculated from measurements of the threshold contrast (noise) and limiting resolution using the Leeds test objects and the input air kerma rate. Several practical examples illustrate its usefulness in simple performance assessment and quality assurance procedures. A comparison is made with the use of detection index diagrams.

Key Words: Image intensifies • Quality assurance

Received for publication June 10, 1991. Revision received September 25, 1991. Accepted for publication February 1, 1992.

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