Fluoro glass ceramic showing photostimulable properties

US6352949B1 · kind B1 · utility

Inventors

• Peter Willems · Mortsel, BE
• Johann-Martin Spaeth · Paderborn, DE
• Stefan Schweizer · Paderborn, DE
• Andrew Edgar · Wellington, NZ
• Luc Struye · Mortsel, BE
• Paul Leblans · Kontich, BE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 15, 2000
• Grant date: Mar 5, 2002
• Expiry date: Jun 15, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C03C10/16
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A glass ceramic material for storing energy of X-rays and releasing said energy by photo-stimulation comprising a fluoride glass matrix containing micro-crystalline particles, said particles having an average particle size, d, so that d<2 &mgr;m and said glass ceramic shows in a XRD spectrum a continuous spectrum of said glass matrix and discrete peaks superimposed on said continuous spectrum. Said glass matrix contains preferably zirconium ions and ions selected from the group consisting of alkali ions and alkaline earth ions, at least 5 mole % of the fluoride ions is replaced by bromide and/or chloride ions and at least 0.01 mole % of cations selected from the group consisting of transition metal ions, rare earth metal ions, In+, Ga+, Tl+, and Pb2+ is present.