What advantages do collimators have over aperture diaphragms and flare cones?

The advantages of collimators over aperture diaphragms and flare cones primarily lie in their capacity to provide a greater variety of field sizes. Collimators are designed to allow precise control over the shape and size of the radiation beam being emitted, which can be adjusted depending on the requirements of the imaging or treatment procedure. This flexibility in field size is critical in minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue, as different clinical scenarios may require varying levels of targeted treatment or imaging.

In contrast, aperture diaphragms have fixed openings, which limits the range of field sizes that can be created. Flare cones also typically offer less versatility compared to collimators. While collimators can be finely tuned to achieve specific field dimensions, both diaphragm and cone systems do not allow for this level of customization. Therefore, the ability to achieve a greater variety of field sizes is a significant advantage of collimators, enhancing their usefulness in both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications.