A suitable equation and fitting routine for depth dose energy for electrons has been identified. Software simulating heating and the production of thermoluminescence in thick thermoluminescent detectors has been developed and tested.
Analysis is underway of the affects of statistical and systematic errors on the results.
The technique looks promising in terms of enabling accurate determination of depth dose data, and hence distinguishing between deep dose and shallow dose, using a single thermoluminescent detector. The objective of the study is to understand the physical factors that contribute to detection of subtle lung nodules in chest radiography, by applying the methods and principles of engineering technology. First, the radiologic characteristics of subtle lung nodules are ascertained and used to develop a set of nodule phantoms with similar characteristics. A model is also developed for noise due to the background texture of lung tissue. An observer performance study is then performed using human subjects and nodule phantoms.