Which device may replace the photomultiplier tube (PMT) in a computed radiography (CR) image reader system?

The charge-coupled device (CCD) is recognized as a viable replacement for the photomultiplier tube (PMT) in computed radiography (CR) image reader systems due to its superior performance in capturing images. CCDs are capable of converting light into an electrical signal with high efficiency and sensitivity. They also offer the advantage of being smaller, more robust, and easier to integrate into digital imaging systems compared to PMTs.

CCDs have been widely used in various imaging applications because they provide high-quality images with low noise levels. Their operational mechanism involves the accumulation of charge in a semiconductor material, which is subsequently read out as a digital signal. This technology supports high-resolution imaging and fast readout times, both of which are essential in medical imaging to ensure accurate diagnoses.

While other devices such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) or photodiodes have their own applications, they do not provide the same level of image quality or signal sensitivity as CCDs in the context of replacing PMTs in CR systems. Luminescent panels are typically part of the imaging process rather than a direct alternative to PMTs, acting instead to convert X-rays into visible light that can be read by detectors. Thus, the CCD stands out as