Final answer:
The smallest area of 100 microns recorded by a flat panel detector translates to 5 line pairs per millimeter, as a pair requires both a white and black line, totalling 200 microns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around the resolution of a flat panel detector, specifically in the context of medical imaging or digital photography. When considering the resolution of a detector, we refer to the smallest discernible detail it can capture, which is given as 100 microns. To convert this value into line pairs per millimeter, we use the concept that a line pair consists of one white and one black line, meaning it takes 200 microns (100 microns for a white line and 100 microns for a black line) to complete a line pair. Therefore, we must divide 1 millimeter, or 1000 microns, by 200 microns to get the number of line pairs per millimeter.
Using this calculation:
- 1000 microns/mm ÷ 200 microns/line pair = 5 line pairs/mm
So, the smallest area a flat panel detector can record, which is approximately 100 microns, translates into 5 line pairs per millimeter.