Effects of Detector Configuration on X-Ray Luminescence Computed Tomography Imaging

Background: X-ray luminescence computed tomography (XLCT) has emerged as a promising hybrid biomedical imaging modality for over a decade. However, the detector’s configuration has not been studied. Methods: We have built a benchtop XLCT imaging system and designed different detector holders to adjust the detector’s orientations and distances. Phantom experiments were performed to evaluate the performance of the detector’s configurations. We have also performed a Monte Carlo simulation to study the detectable photon numbers. Results: The photon detection efficiency is reduced by more than 10 times as the detector orientation is changed from 0 degrees to 45 degrees. The efficiency is not reduced as the detector is up to 10 mm away from the object. The efficiency is reduced by 33% when the distance is 30 mm. The numerical simulation indicates that a ring detector improves the collection efficiency by 11.3 times. Conclusions: The XLCT’s detector configuration plays a major role in the XLCT imaging system design. In the future, a ring detector will enhance the detection efficiency of XLCT imaging.