Abstract

We have previously shown¹ that multivariate moment-generating functions provide a facile method for analyzing the influence of stochastic amplifying and scattering mechanisms on the transfer of signal and noise through multistage imaging systems. The method is general in that it can be applied to stationary as well as nonstationary processes. In the special case of stationary processes, relationships between the input and output noise power spectra (NPS) can be derived. For the case of photon-limited inputs, one can also readily express the detective quantum efficiency. We have extended application of the method to five cases of amplifying and scattering mechanisms in which the parameters are themselves stochastic variables and in which random variables are correlated between stages. Expressions for the NPS and DQE are derived for each case, and a physical example drawn from the study of radio-graphic intensifying screens is given. In several of these examples, previously published theoretical results have been shown to follow as special cases of these more general results.

© 1988 Optical Society of America