Method for generating an x-ray image dataset

An X-ray detector system, comprising:

• a photon-counting X-ray detector including a converter and a plurality of pixel elements, the converter being configured to convert X-ray radiation into an electrical signal, each respective pixel element among the plurality of pixel elements being configured to generate a count signal based on a corresponding electrical signal from the converter directly entering the respective pixel element, at least a subset of the plurality of pixel elements being configured to generate a coincidence count signal based on a corresponding electrical signal from the converter directly entering both the respective pixel element and at least one other pixel element among the plurality of pixel elements;
• and
• a generating device configured to generate an X-ray image dataset based on at least one quantity of count signals, at least one quantity of coincidence count signals and at least one other quantity of coincidence count signal, the at least one quantity of count signals being counted in each of the plurality of pixel elements based on the count signal, the at least one quantity of coincidence count signals being counted in each pixel element among the subset of the plurality of pixel elements based on the coincidence count signal, the at least one quantity of coincidence count signals being counted based on a first output signal of a first comparator and a second output signal of a second comparator, the first comparator being included in the respective pixel element, the second comparator being included in the at least one other pixel element, and the first comparator having a different energy threshold from the second comparator, wherein
• the at least one other quantity of coincidence count signals are counted based on the second output signal and a third output signal of a third comparator, the third comparator being included in the respective pixel element, and the second comparator having the same energy threshold as the third comparator, or
• the at least one other quantity of coincidence count signals is counted based on the first output signal and a fourth output signal of a fourth comparator, the fourth comparator being included in the at least one other pixel element, and the first comparator having the same energy threshold as the fourth comparator.

A method for generating an X-ray image dataset via a photon-counting X-ray detector, the photon-counting X-ray detector including a converter and a plurality of pixel elements, the converter being configured to convert X-ray radiation into an electrical signal, the plurality of pixel elements including first pixel elements, and at least a subset of the plurality of pixel elements including second pixel elements, the method comprising:

• first counting at least one quantity of count signals in a respective first pixel element among the first pixel elements based on a first output signal of a first comparator included in the respective first pixel element, the first output signal being based on X-ray radiation incident on the plurality of pixel elements, each count signal among the at least one quantity of count signals being based on a corresponding electrical signal from the converter directly entering the respective first pixel element;
• second counting at least one quantity of coincidence count signals in a respective second pixel element among the second pixel elements, a respective coincidence count signal among the at least one quantity of coincidence count signals being based on coincidently occurring electrical signals from the converter directly entering both the respective first pixel element and the respective second pixel element, the at least one quantity of coincidence count signals being counted based on the first output signal and a second output signal of a second comparator, the second comparator being included in the respective second pixel element, and the first comparator having a different energy threshold from the second comparator;
• and
• generating an X-ray image dataset based on the at least one quantity of count signals, the at least one quantity of coincidence count signals and at least one other quantity of coincidence count signals, wherein the method further comprises,
• third counting the at least one other quantity of coincidence count signals based on the second output signal of the second comparator and a third output signal of a third comparator, the third comparator being included in the respective first pixel element, and the second comparator having the same energy threshold as the third comparator, or
• third counting the at least one other quantity of coincidence count signals based on the first output signal of the first comparator and a fourth output signal of a fourth comparator, the fourth comparator being included in the respective second pixel element, and the first comparator having the same energy threshold as the fourth comparator.