Patent · US Expired

Detector array using internalized light sharing and air coupling

US7019297B2 · kind B2 · utility

21Cited by
13References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 2003
Grant dateMar 28, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 26, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB33Y80/00
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for fabricating an array adapted to receive a plurality of scintillators for use in association with an imaging device. The method allows the creation of a detector array such that location of the impingement of radiation upon an individual scintillator detector is accurately determinable. The array incorporates an air gap between all the scintillator elements. Certain scintillators may have varying height reflective light partitions to control the amount of light sharing which occurs between elements. Light transmission is additionally optimized by varying the optical transmission properties of the reflective light partition, such as by varying the thickness and optical density of the light partitions. In certain locations, no light partitions exist, thereby defining an air gap between those elements. The air gap allows a large increase in the packing fraction and therefore the overall sensitivity of the array.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.