Polyenergetic CT sinogram generator

Energy-sensitive X-ray detection devices operating in photon counting mode are getting growing interest since the last decade. By offering a promise of lower dosage requirements and spectroscopic analysis capabilities, they might redefine the paradigm of clinical X-ray measurements in a near future. A simulation software reproducing the data collection scheme of such detection devices was implemented. Without trying to reproduce the in-depth electronic mechanism of those devices, it is rather oriented toward the overall quality of the measured data in terms of simple detection characteristics. Build upon rugged and proven software components, the generator includes realistic material definitions with respect to energy-dependent attenuation. Projections are measured and features such as energy resolution, number of detected energy levels, counting noise statistics and data weighting schemes are taken into account. Using the proposed method, iterative image reconstructions show that classic beam-hardening related artefacts can successfully be reproduced. The proposed method is intended to be used as a tool aimed at predicting the imaging capabilities of these forthcoming energy-sensitive detection devices and to help in the design of their specifications. Being an easily parameterizable analytical tool, it will also be useful to validate the behavior of new dedicated polyenergetic reconstruction algorithms.