CHARACTERISTICS OF A NOVEL X-RAY-DETECTOR FOR REAL-TIME RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING

New detectors for fast, real-time, high resolution X-ray imaging at high photon fluxes are described. A thin solid photoconverter is coupled to a multistage gaseous electron multiplier operating at low pressure. The readout electronics connected to the wire electrodes of the chamber provides two-dimensional localization of single registered photons. Prototype detectors were tested with Csl, Ag and Ta converters in the photon energy range of 8-60 keV. Radiographic digital images are presented and compared to that of X-ray films. It is shown that compared to the film technique the secondary electron emission detector provides radiographic images of an equivalent contrast at an order of magnitude lower exposure. This novel type of detector is suited for static and dynamic in-line quality control on industrial production lines and for medical imaging.