A study of the electrical properties of bottom electrodes for bendable sensors in diagnostic X-ray irradiation

Purpose Some recent studies on bendable sensors have reported the reduction of distortion in X-ray shots caused by the patient’s physical structure. In the field of diagnostic radiology, images are nowadays captured using flat panel detectors, but it is difficult to take the geometrical body type and physical characteristics of patients into consideration with flat panels; this may distort images. This study evaluates the bending and electrical properties of bottom electrode-based sensors with bending capability. Methods This study evaluates the bending and electrical properties of bottom electrode-based sensors with aluminium, copper, and indium tin oxide films. These sensors are fabricated, and their performance concerning bending resistance, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratio are evaluated and compared with a reference sensor. Results These sensors are shown to provide similar results to the reference sensor in what concerns the cubic functionality (of approx. 99%) of their response to tube voltage variations. The Al film-based sensor shows he lowest SNR value; the Cu film shows excellent sensitivity, but with a slightly high dark current, resulting in a low SNR value. Conclusions Bendable detectors are possible solutions to mitigate the distortion in X-rays obtained with flat panel detector. The results of this study can potentially be used as basic research to support the next-generation bendable detectors, and thus improve these distortions, caused by the X-ray patient’s physical structure.