Science behind the instrument
Research.
The science behind DQEPro is grounded in decades of published research on x-ray image quality and detector physics.
Fundamentals
What is DQE?
The detective quantum efficiency is the definitive measure of x-ray detector performance. It quantifies how efficiently a detector converts incident x-ray photons into useful image signal — the closer to unity, the better the image quality at a given patient dose.
Why it matters
Regulations ensure patient exposures stay within limits, and traditional tests provide subjective image quality grading. But only DQE measures actual detector performance — whether the system is producing the best possible images for the exposure delivered.
Why it's been inaccessible
A conventional DQE measurement requires a trained physicist, custom software, dedicated lab equipment, and at least eight hours of work. This has kept routine DQE testing out of reach for most institutions.
What DQEPro changes
DQEPro packages the measurement hardware, calibration, and IEC 62220-1 analysis into a single automated instrument — no dedicated lab, no custom software, no physics expertise required.
Peer-reviewed
Publications.
Selected peer-reviewed research and theses connected to the science behind DQEPro.
Can processed images be used to determine the modulation transfer function and detective quantum efficiency?
L.M. Garland, H.J. Yang, P.A. Picot, J. Tanguay, I.A. Cunningham — J Med Imaging, 11(3):033502
MTF and DQE enhancement using an apodized-aperture x-ray detector design
T.F. Nano, T. Escartin, E. Ismailova, K.S. Karim, J. Lindström, H.K. Kim, I.A. Cunningham — Medical Physics, 44(9):4525–4535
Determining the Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) of X-Ray Detectors in Clinical Environments
T.R. Escartin — MSc Thesis, University of Western Ontario, Medical Biophysics
Detective quantum efficiency of photon-counting x-ray detectors
J. Tanguay, S. Yun, H.K. Kim, I.A. Cunningham — Medical Physics, 42(1):491–509
The detective quantum efficiency of photon-counting x-ray detectors using cascaded-systems analyses
J. Tanguay, S. Yun, H.K. Kim, I.A. Cunningham — Medical Physics, 40(4):041913
Cascaded-systems analyses and the detective quantum efficiency of single-Z x-ray detectors including photoelectric, coherent and incoherent interactions
S. Yun, J. Tanguay, H.K. Kim, I.A. Cunningham — Medical Physics, 40(4):041916
Signal-to-noise optimization of medical imaging systems
I.A. Cunningham, R. Shaw — J Opt Soc Am A, 16(3):621–632
Signal, noise power spectrum, and detective quantum efficiency of indirect-detection flat-panel imagers for diagnostic radiology
J.H. Siewerdsen, L.E. Antonuk, Y. el-Mohri, J. Yorkston, W. Huang, I.A. Cunningham — Medical Physics, 25(5):614–628
A quantum accounting and detective quantum efficiency analysis for video-based portal imaging
J.P. Bissonnette, I.A. Cunningham, D.A. Jaffray, A. Fenster, P. Munro — Medical Physics, 24(6):815–826
A spatial-frequency dependent quantum accounting diagram and detective quantum efficiency model of signal and noise propagation in cascaded imaging systems
I.A. Cunningham, M.S. Westmore, A. Fenster — Medical Physics, 21(3):417–427
The Equivalent Quantum Efficiency of the Photographic Process
R. Shaw — The Journal of Photographic Science, 11(4):199–204
Want to learn more?
Contact us to discuss DQE measurement methodology or howDQEPro can support your research.