How can high fill factor impact image quality?

High fill factor refers to the proportion of a pixel that is sensitive to incoming radiation, which directly affects the efficiency of image capture in fluoroscopy. A higher fill factor means that a greater portion of the pixel area is dedicated to collecting the signal from the X-ray or other radiation sources, which enhances the overall signal quality of the image.

When the fill factor is high, more of the incoming photons contribute to generating the signal, leading to clearer and more defined images. This results in improved brightness and reduced noise because the ratio of the signal to the background noise is favorably increased. Consequently, the overall image quality is enhanced, producing diagnostic images that are richer in detail and more reliable for clinical assessments.

In contrast, a low fill factor could lead to increased noise levels and poorer signal quality, thereby impacting the diagnostic utility of the images produced. High fill factor is crucial in ensuring that radiologists and healthcare professionals can make accurate assessments based on the fluoroscopic images.