CMOS 기반 X선 영상의 해상력 향상을 위한 Gd₂O₂S:Tb 미세형광체 필름 제작 및 영상 질 평가

강상식,최영준,정봉재,노시철,조창훈,윤인찬,박지군,Kang, Sang-Sik,Choi, Young-Zoon,Jung, Bong-Jae,No, Si-Cheul,Cho, Chan-Hoon,Yoon, In-Chan,Park, Ji-Koon 한국방사선학회 2011 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.5 No.5

본 연구는 고해상도 디지털 X선 영상 검출기 적용을 위해 미세 $Gd_2O_2S$:Tb 형광체 분말을 저온 액상법을 이용하여 합성하였다. 제조된 형광체 분말을 이용하여 입자침전법을 이용하여 형광체 필름을 제작하여 발광특성을 조사하였다. 측정결과, Tb 첨가농도에 따른 상대적인 발광량 측정결과 5 wt%의 첨가농도에서 가장 높은 발광효율을 보였으며, 첨가농도가 증가할수록 소광현상에 의한 발광강도가 급격히 감소하는 경향을 보였다. 또한 270 ${\mu}m$ 두께의 $Gd_2O_2S$:Tb에서 2945 pC/$cm^2$/mR의 발광 강도를 가졌으며, 발광 강도가 거의 포화되는 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. 끝으로 제조된 형광체의 영상획득 성능을 평가하기 위해 상용화된 CMOS 센서를 이용하여 X선 영상을 획득하여 MTF, NPS를 측정하여 DQE 평가를 수행하였다. 측정결과, DQE(0)의 값은 37%로 다소 낮은 값을 보였다. 향후 필름 제조 공정상의 문제점을 해결한다면, DQE를 개선할 수 있을 것으며, 고해상도 의료 방사선 영상 시스템 적용에 유용하게 적용 가능할 것으로 판단된다. In this study, fine $Gd_2O_2S$:Tb powder was synthesized by using a low temperature solution-combustion method for a high-resolution digital x-ray imaging detector. From the fabricated phosphor power, the fine scintillator films was fabricated by particle sedimentation method and was investigated the luminescent property. From the experimental results of relative light output as a function of terbium concentration, the highest luminescent efficiency has at 5 wt% Tb concentration, and luminescent intensity decreased rapidly according to quenching effect about higher Tb concentration. Also, the relative light output of $270{\mu}m$-$Gd_2O_2S$:Tb film has 2945 pC/$cm^2$/mR. And light intensity was saturated at higher film thickness. Finally, to evaluate an image acquisition performance of fabricated phosphor, images were obtained by using commercial CMOS sensor and measured the MTF, NPS, and DQE. DQE(0 lp/mm) of fine phosphor film has 37%. But, DQE improvement of fine phosphor film is possible by resolving problem of film fabrication process and has a significant potential in the application of digital radiation imaging system later.

형광체 기반 X선 광 변조기를 위한 비정질 셀레늄 필름 특성

강상식,박지군,조성호,차병열,신정욱,이건환,문치웅,남상희,Kang, Sang-Sik,Park, Ji-Koon,Cho, Sung-Ho,Cha, Byung-Youl,Shin, Jung-Wook,Lee, Kun-Hwan,Mun, Chi-Woong,Nam, Sang-Hee 대한의용생체공학회 2007 의공학회지 Vol.28 No.2

PXLM(Phosphor based x-ray light modulator) has a combined structure by phosphor, photoconductor, and liquid crystal and it can realize x-ray image of high resolution in clinical diagnosis area. In this study, we fabricated a photoconductor and investigated electrical and optical properties to confirm application possibility of radiator detector of PXLM structure. As photoconductor, amorphous selenium(a-Se), which is used most in DR(Digital radiography) of direct conversion method, was used and for formation of thin film, it was formed as $20{\mu}m-thick$ by using thermal vacuum evaporation system. For a produced a-Se film, through XRD(X-ray diffraction) and SEM(Scanning electron microscope), we investigated that amorphous structure was uniformly established and through optical measurement, for visible light of 40 $0\sim630nm$, it had absorption efficiency of 95 % and more. After fabricated a-Se film on the top of ITP substrate, hybrid structure was manufactured through forming $Gd_2O_3:Eu$ phosphor of $270{\mu}m-thick$ on the bottom of the substrate. As the result to confirm electrical property of the manufactured hybrid structure, in the case of appling $10V/{\mu}m$, leakage current of $2.5nA/cm^2$ and x-ray sensitivity of $7.31nC/cm^2/mR$ were investigated. Finally, we manufactured PXLM structure combined with hybrid structure and liquid crystal cell of TN(Twisted nematic) mode and then, investigated T-V(Transmission vs. voltage) curve of external light source for induced x-ray energy. PXLM structure showed a similar optical response with T-V curve that common TN mode liquid crystal cell showed according to electric field increase and in appling $50\sim100V$, it showed linear transmission efficiency of $12\sim18%$. This result suggested an application possibility of PXLM structure as radiation detector.

The Fabrication and Property Evaluation of Poly-crystalline CdTe based Photon Counting X-ray Sensor

강상식(Sang Sik Kang),박지군(Ji Koon Park) 한국방사선학회 2015 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.9 No.7

종래의 방사선 의료영상 센서는 방사선에 의해 생성된 전하신호를 화소내에서 적분하는 방식이다. 본 연구에서는 저선량에서 우수한 해상력이 가능한 광계수형 영상센서를 개발하기 위해 진공 열증착법을 이용하여 다결정 CdTe(p-CdTe) 필름을 제작하였다. 또한, 광계수형 센서의 성능평가를 위하여 물리적 특성(SEM, XRD) 및 전기적 특성(leakage current, x-ray sensitivity, SNR) 평가를 하였다. 측정 결과, 1 V/㎛ 이하의 인가전압에서 5 nA/cm2 이하의 누설 전류밀도를 보였으며, X선 발생신호량은 7 μC/cm2ㆍR으로 광계수형 센서로의 적용에 적합한 것으로 평가되었다. 또한, 신호대잡음비는 동작영역에서 5000 이상의 값을 보였다. An electrical signals of a conventional radiation medical imaging sensor are obtained by charge integration method. In this study, the polycrystalline cadmium telluride(p-CdTe) film was fabricated by a thermal evaporation method for the photon counting sensor development with excellent resolution in low exposure dose. From the fabricated p-CdTe sensor, the physical properties(SEM, XRD) and the electrical properties(leakage current, x-ray sensitivity, SNR) were evaluated. As a result, the leakage current of below 5 nA/cm2 and 7 μC/cm2-R of the X-ray sensitivity were showed in below 1 V/㎛. In addition, the signal to noise ratio showed the values of above 5000 at operating voltage.

The Study on Design of Customized Radiation Protective Layer for Medical Radiation Dose Reduction

강상식(Sang-Sik Kang),김교태(Kyo-Tae Kim),노시철(Si-Cheol Noh),정봉재(Bong-Jae Jung),박지군(Ji-Koon Park) 한국방사선학회 2014 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.8 No.6

최근 의료 분야에서의 불필요한 피폭을 체계적으로 관리해야 한다는 사회적 요구 증가와 더불어 차폐의 중요성이 대두되고 있는 실정이다. 하지만 현재 상용화된 제품은 다양한 의료방사선 분야보다 세분되어 있지 않다. 이에 본 연구에서는 최적화된 차폐재의 구조를 몬테카를로 시뮬레이션을 활용하여 제시하고자 하였다. 모의 추정 결과, 유방촬영 에너지(30 kVp) 스펙트럼에 대하여 단일 차폐재의 경우 30 μmPb, 2 mmAl에서 90% 이상의 차폐율을 확인하였고, 이중차폐 구조에서는 0.03 mmPb와 1 mmAl의 설계 시 효율적인 것으로 판단되었다. 또한, 일반촬영 에너지(80 kVp) 스펙트럼에 대해서는 340 μmPb, 30 mmAl에서 90% 이상의 차폐율을 확인하였으며, 이중차폐 구조에서는 0.3 mmPb와 1 mmAl의 설계가 유용할 것으로 사료된다. 이러한 결과는 향후 피폭저감을 위한 맞춤형 상용화 제품 개발에 대한 기초자료로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. The fact is that in addition to an increase in social needs that must be managed systematically unnecessary exposure in the field of medical Recent important that the shield has emerged. However, products that are now in practical use, are not subdivided as compared to various medical radiology. Therefore, in the present study, we tried to present with the help of Monte Carlo simulation the structure of the shielding material that has been optimized. Simulated estimation result, the energy of the mammography for (30 kVp) spectrum, check the shielding rate of 90% or more 30μmPb, at 2 mmAl case of shielding material of a single, at design time of 1 mmAl and 0.03 mmPb a double shield structure it is determined that more efficient. Also, check the blocking rate of 90% or more 340μmPb, at 30 mmAl energy captured general in (80 kVp) spectra, it is considered that a double shield structure, design 1 mmAl and 0.3 mmPb is useful. These results, be used as basic material for the development of commercialization customized products for dose reduction is expected.

Reliability Verification of FLUKA Transport Code for Double Layered X-ray Protective Sheet Design

Sang Sik Kang(강상식),Seung Wook Heo(허승욱),Il Hong Choi(최일홍),Jae Hoon Jun(전제훈),Sung Woo Yang(양승우),Kyo Tae Kim(김교태),Ye Ji Heo(허예지),Ji Koon Park(박지군) 한국방사선학회 2017 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.11 No.7

현재 의료분야에서는 방사선 차폐체로서 납(Pb)이 널리 쓰이고 있다. 하지만 납은 무게가 매우 무거워 납 치마 등의 방호복은 장시간 착용이 어려우며, 인체에 치명적인 납 중독의 위험이 상시 가지고 있다는 문제점을 가지고 있다. 이러한 문제점을 해결하고자 납을 대체 할 수 있는 물질에 대한 많은 연구가 진행되고 있다. 현재 납의 대체물질로써 대표적인 바륨(Ba)과 요오드(I) 등은 우수한 차폐능을 가지고 있지만, 30keV 근처의 에너지 영역에서 특성 X선을 방출하는 특성을 가지고 있다. 환자나 방사선 종사자의 경우 차폐체를 인체에 접촉하고 있는 경우가 많으므로 차폐체에서 발생되는 특성 X선이 인체에 직접 조사되어 방사선 피 폭을 증가시킬 위험이 매우 높다. 본 연구에서는 바륨(Ba)과 요오드(I)등에서 발생되는 특성 X선을 제거하기에 적절한 이중구조 차폐체를 방사선 수송코드 중 하나인 FLUKA 수송코드를 개발하여 선행연구로서 진행된 MCNPX 시뮬레이션과 비교 분석하여 이중구조 차폐체의 차폐율에 대한 신뢰성을 검증하고자 하였다. MCNPX와 FLUKA를 이용하여 황산바륨(BaSO4)과 산화비스무스(Bi2O3)로 이루어진 다양한 두께조합의 이중구조 차폐체를 설계하였으며, IEC61331-1에 제시된 모식도를 기하학적으로 동일하게 시뮬레이션 상에 구현하였다. 또한, 120 kVp의 연속 X선 스펙트럼에 대한 차폐체의 투과스펙트럼과 흡수선량을 납과 비교 평가하였다. 평가결과, 0.3mm-BaSO 4 /0.3mm-Bi2O3와 0.1mm-BaSO4 /0.5 mm-Bi2O3 구조에서는 33keV와 37keV의 특성 X선을 모두 흡수하였으며, 90 keV 이상의 고에너지 X선에 대해서도 납과 거의 유사한 차폐효율을 보였다. 또한, FLUKA의 수송코드는 33keV 이하에서는 cut-off 가 발생하여 저에너지 X선 광자에 대한 전산모사에 제약이 있지만, 40keV 이상의 고에너지 영역에서 MCNPX와의 상대오차가 6% 이내로 신뢰성이 매우 우수하다는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. In the current medical field, lead is widely used as a radiation shield. However, the lead weight is very heavy, so wearing protective clothing such as apron is difficult to wear for long periods of time and there is a problem with the danger of lethal toxicity in humans. Recently, many studies have been conducted to develop substitute materials of lead to resolve these problems. As a substitute materials for lead, barium(Ba) and iodine(I) have excellent shielding ability. But, It has characteristics emitting characteristic X-rays from the energy area near 30 keV. For patients or radiation workers, shielding materials is often made into contact with the human body. Therefore, the characteristic X-rays generated by the shielding material are directly exposured in the human body, which increases the risk of increasing radiation absorbed dose. In this study, we have developed the FLUKA transport code, one of the most suitable elements of radiation transport codes, to remove the characteristic X-rays generated by barium or iodine. We have verified the reliability of the shielding fraction of the structure of the structure shielding by comparing with the MCPDX simulations conducted as a prior study. Using the MCNPX and FLUKA, the double layer shielding structures with the various thickness combination consisting of barium sulphate (BaSO 4 ) and bismuth oxide(Bi 2 O 3 ) are designed. The accuracy of the type shown in IEC 61331-1 was geometrically identical to the simulation. In addition, the transmission spectrum and absorbed dose of the shielding material for the successive x-rays of 120 kVp spectra were compared with lead. In results, 0.3 mm-BaSO 4 /0.3 mm-Bi 2 O 3 and 0.1 mm-BaSO 4 /0.5 mm-Bi 2 O 3 structures have been absorbed in both 33 keV and 37 keV characteristic X-rays. In addition, for high-energy X-rays greater than 90 keV, the shielding efficiency was shown close to lead. Also, the transport code of the FLUKA’s photon transport code was showed cut-off on low-energy X-rays(below 33keV) and is limited to computerized X-rays of the low-energy X-rays. But, In high-energy areas above 40 keV, the relative error with MCNPX was found to be highly reliable within 6 %.

스크린 프린팅 공법을 통한 방사선 무연 차폐 시트에 관한 연구

강상식 ( Sang-sik Kang ),정아림 ( Ah-rim Jeong ),이수민 ( Su-min Lee ),양승우 ( Seung-woo Yang ),김교태 ( Kyo-tae Kim ),허예지 ( Ye-ji Heo ),박지군 ( Ji-koon Park ) 한국방사선학회 2018 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.12 No.6

많은 선행 연구에서는 무연 차폐재를 제작하기 위하여 몬테카를로 시뮬레이션을 통해 방사선 차폐 능력과 경량화에 대한 가능성을 제시하고 있다. 하지만, 이는 바인더 및 미세 기공에 대한 구현이 어렵기에 제품화 공정에 필요한 정보를 충분히 제공하지 못하는 실정이다. 이에 본 연구에서는 제품화 공정에 요구되는 겔 페이스트에 대한 정보를 사전에 제공하기 위하여 스크린 프린팅 공법을 활용하여 충전율에 따른 방사선 차폐 능력에 대한 결과를 제시하였다. 본 연구에서는 방사선 차폐 능력을 평가하기 위해 IEC 61331-1:2014와 KS A 4025에 부합하도록 실험 환경을 설계하였으며, 방사선 조사 조건은 KS A 4021 규격을 준용하여 총 여과 2.0 mmAl로 여과된 100 kVp를 이용하였다. 본 연구 결과, TVL를 기준으로 Pb 1270 μm, BaSO₄ 3035 μm, Bi₂O₃ 1849 μm, WO₃ 2631 μm에서 근사한 값으로 분석되었다. 또한, 충전율은 BaSO₄ 38.6%, Bi₂O₃ 27.1%, WO₃ 30.15%로 분석되었다. 하지만, 차후 저온고압 성형을 적용한다면 충전율을 높이면서도 기공률을 낮춤으로서 방사선 차폐 능력의 개선이 충분히 가능할 것으로 기대된다. In many previous studies, monte carlo simulation is used to produce lead-free shielding sheet, and the possibility of radiation shielding capability and weight reduction is presented. But it is difficult to simulation for binder and micro-pores because of In fact it does not provide sufficient information necessary for the commercialization process. Therefore, in this paper, the results of radiation shielding capability corresponding to filling factor was presented by using the screen printing method to provide information on gel-paste required for the commercialization process. In this study, the geometric setup for evaluate of radiation shielding ability was designed to comply with IEC 61331-1:2014 and KS A 4025. In addition, radiation irradiation conditions were 100 kVp filtered with 2.0 mmAl total filtration was applied according to KS A 4021 standard. In this study, Pb 1270 ㎛, BaSO4 3035 ㎛, Bi₂O₃ 1849 ㎛ and WO₃ 2631 ㎛ were analyzed based on ten value layer. Additionally, the filling factor was analyzed as BaSO₄ 38.6%, Bi₂O₃ 27.1%, WO₃ 30.15%. However, in the case of applying low-temperature high-pressure molding in the future, it is expected that the radiation shielding capability can be sufficiently improved by reducing the porosity while increasing the filling factor.

방사선치료기기 정도관리를 위한 광도전체 센서 제작 및 평가

강상식(Sang Sik Kang),노성진(Sung Jin Noh),정봉재(Bong Jae Jung),노시철(Ci Chul Noh),박지군(Ji Koon Park) 한국방사선학회 2016 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.10 No.8

최근 다엽콜리메이터를 부착한 선형가속기를 이용한 방사선수술의 빈도가 점차 높아지고 있다. 이러한 정교한 방사선 수술은 소조사면 내에 고선량의 방사선이 집중적으로 조사되기 때문에 체계적이고 정확한 정도관리가 필수적이다. 본 연구는 PIB(Particle in Binder) 방식 중 침전법을 이용하여 400 ㎛ 두께의 요오드 화납(PbI 2 )과 요오드화수은(HgI 2 ) 광도전체 센서 시편를 제작하였다. 제작된 시편의 전기적 특성은 암전류, 출력전류, 응답특성 및 선형성을 평가하였다. 평가 결과, HgI 2 가 우수한 신호발생량과 선형성을 보였다. 끝으로, 두께에 따른 HgI 2 센서의 신호반응 특성 결과, 400 ㎛ 두께에서 신호발생효율이 가장 높았고, ±2.5 % 이내의 우수한 재현성을 보였다. Recently, a use of linear accelerator with a multi-leaf collimator(MLC) for radiation therapy is increasing. The importance of quality assurance (QA) for the linear accelerator is emphasized as the side effects of the inaccurate delivery of the radiation beam has been increased according to the high dose irradiation technique. In this study, The HgI 2 and PbI 2 photoconductor layer samples of 400 ㎛ thickness were fabricated using sedimentation method among particle-in-binder technology. From the fabricated samples, the electrical properties(dark current, output current, response properties and linearity) were investigated. From the experimental results, HgI 2 has good charge signal generation and linearity. Finally, from the signal response results about various thickness of HgI 2 sensor, the signal creation efficiency of 400 ㎛ thickness of HgI 2 sensor has the highest value and the excellent reproducibility below ±2.5 %.

고해상도 방사선 영상을 위한 $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$ 나노 형광체 제조 및 광학적 특성

김소영,강상식,박지군,차병열,최치원,이형원,남상희,Kim, So-Yeong,Kang, Sang-Sik,Park, Ji-Koon,Cha, Byung-Youl,Choe, Chi-Won,Lee, Hyung-Won,Nam, Sang-Hee 대한의용생체공학회 2007 의공학회지 Vol.28 No.1

In this paper, we have synthesized $Gd_2O_3:Eu^{3+}$ nano phosphor particle using a low temperature solution-combustion method. We have investigated the structure and the luminescent characteristic as the sintering temperature and europium concentration. From XRD(X-ray diffraction) and SEM(scanning electron microscope) results, we have verified that the phosphor particle was fabricated a spherical shape with $30{\sim}40nm$ particle size. From the photoluminescence results, the strong peak exhibits at 611 um and the luminescent intensity depends on europium concentration. $Gd_2O_3:Eu$ fine phosphor particle has shown excellent luminescent efficiency at 5 wt% of europium concentration. The phosphors calcinated at $500^{\circ}C$ have possessed the x-ray peaks corresponding to the cubic phase of $Gd_2O_3$. As calcinations temperature increased to $700^{\circ}C$, the new monoclinic phase has identified except cubic patterns. From the luminescent decay time measurements, mean lifetimes were $2.3{\sim}2.6ms$ relatively higher than conventional bulk phosphors. These results indicate that $Gd_2O_3:Eu$ nano phosphor is possible for the operation at the low x-ray dose, therefore, the application as medical imaging detector.

비정질 셀레늄 기반 디지털 방사선 검출기의 성능 평가

박지군,강상식,조성호,신정욱,김소영,손대응,남상희,Park, Ji-Koon,Kang, Sang-Sik,Cho, Sung-Ho,Shin, Jung-Wook,Kim, So-Yeong,Son, Dae-Woong,Nam, Sang-Hee 대한의용생체공학회 2007 의공학회지 Vol.28 No.2

In this study, we have studied the fabrication and the performance evaluation of digital radiation detector of the based on selenium (a-Se) prototype which is widely researched about recently. The detector was fabricated using amorphous selenium in the specification of active area size $7{\times}8.5"$, pixel pitch $139{\mu}m$, and 12 bit ADC. In order for the performance evaluation of the fabricated detector, we used radiation quality RQA 5 that is suggested by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and evaluated modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Concerning MTF measurement, we used slit camera (Nuclear Associates, Model : 07-624-2222), and evaluated in the slit method. Also so as to compare the performance evaluation on the detector fabricated in this study, we used Hologic Direct-Ray (DR-1000) and GE Revolution XQ/I system, and evaluated and compared in the same method MTF, NPS, and DQE which are image quality factors. And as a result, the MTF of each detector In Nyquist frequency were evaluated to be 58% (at 3.5 lp/mm) in the case of DR-1000 and 65% (at 2.5 lp/mm) in the case of XQ/I, and that for the detector fabricated in this study was evaluated to be 36% (at 3.51 lp/mm). Also in the case of DQE(0), the detector fabricated in this study, DR-1000 of Hologic company, and XQ/I system of GE company respectively were evaluated as 36%, 32%, and 50%.

고에너지 C선 소조사야의 정도관리 검출기 적용을 위한 광도전체 변환층의 전기적 반응특성 평가

노성진(Sung Jin Noh),박지군(Ji Koon Park),강상식(Sang Sik Kang) 한국방사선학회 2015 한국방사선학회 학술대회 논문집 Vol.2015 No.추계

최근 다엽콜리메이터를 부착한 선형가속기를 이용한 방사선수술의 빈도가 점차 높아지고 있다. 이러한 정교한 방사선 수술은 소조사면 내에 고선량의 방사선이 집중적으로 조사되기 때문에 체계적이고 정확한 정도관리가 필수적이다. 본 연구는PIB(Particle in Binder) 방식 중 침전법을 이용하여 400㎛ 두께의 요오드화납(PbI2)과 요오드화수은(HgI2) 광도 전체 변환층 시편를 제작하였다. 제작된 시편의 전기적 특성은 암전류, 출력전류, 응답특성 및 선형성을 평가하였다. 평가 결과, HgI2가 우수한 신호발생량과 선형성을 보였으나, 암전료 및 신호 응답특성을 개선하기 위한 추가 연구가 요구되었다. Recently, a use of linear accelerator with a multi-leaf collimator(MLC) for radiation therapy is increasing. The importance of quality assurance (QA) for the linear accelerator is emphasized as the side effects of the inaccurate delivery of the radiation beam has been increased according to the high dose irradiation technique. In this study, The HgI2 and PbI2 conversion layer samples of 400㎛ thickness were fabricated using sedimentation method among particle-in-binder technology. From the fabricated samples, the electrical properties(dark current, output current, response properties and linearity) were investigated. From the experimental results, HgI2 has good charge signal generation and linearity. But, future works were inquired for an improvement of dark current and signal response characteristics.