Simulating radiographic inspections with imaging plates

Abstract

Computed Radiography (CR) based on photostimulable imaging plates (IP) is a potential replacement technique for traditional silver film radiography. For the inspections of components with high wall thicknesses requiring higher energy sources, however, imaging plate performance suffers from a spectral response which is low for the higher energies and high in the energy range where scattered radiation is typically observed. For these applications, care must be taken to apply appropriate filtering. Simulation tools are expected to be helpful in determining optimal operating conditions. We present a computer model which combines deterministic and Monte Carlo methods to simulate the imaging chain, focusing in particular on the scanner model.