David L. Ergun

CZT detector for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

A cadmium-zinc-telluride (CZT) detector has been developed for a bone densitometer that uses dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to determine bone mineral density in vivo. A linear array of 16 discrete CZT detectors is used with a narrow fan-shaped x-ray beam to scan the patient. Each detector is 3 mm thick and 7 mm by 3 mm in area and has simple planar contacts. The x-ray beam has two broad energy lobes with effective energies of approximately 38 keV and approximately 65 keV. The energy sensitivity of the CZT detectors allows discrimination between low and high energy x-rays. Using DEXA, the relative difference in these two count rates permits a quantitative measurement of the real densities of bone mineral and soft tissue. The detectors demonstrate good performance characteristics and stable operation in a clinical environment. This paper discusses the suitability of CZT for use in DEXA applications and describes its successful implementation and performance in this bone densitometer.