Abstract: A radiation imaging system employs a superheated, superconducting colloid detector subjected to an external magnetic field so that the colloid grains are maintained in a metastable superconducting state in the absence of radiation. Intersecting sets of select wires are imbedded in the detector that divide the detector into volumetric resolution elements. Grains in each resolution element that absorb photons emanating from an object "flip" to the normal conducting state. By applying coincident currents to the select wires defining each element, a local magnetic field is produced that opposes the external field so that all the "flipped" grains are reset to the superconducting state. This produces a flux change proportional to the number of photons incident on that element which is sensed and used to develop an x-ray image of the object.

Abstract: A radiation imaging system employs a super-heated, super-conducting colloid detector subjected to an external magnetic field such that all the colloid grains are maintained in the metastable super-conducting state in the absence of radiation. Imbedded in the detector are intersecting helical sensing coils that divide the detector into volumetric resolution elements. The grains in each element that absorb x-ray or gamma ray photons emanating from an object make a transition to the normal conducting state thereby producing flux changes in the vicinities of the grains which induce signals in the coils defining the resolution element in which those grains are located. The number of signals from each element are accumulated separately and used to produce an image of the object.

Abstract: A small but very efficient X-ray detector operating in a current integrating mode for use in high speed tomography apparatus comprises a scintillator that is entirely coated with a highly reflective matte material except for a relatively small-area window. A P.I.N photo-diode is juxtaposed with the scintillator opposite the window and the two are secured together at an optical interface comprising a transparent adherent material preferably having an index of refraction between the indices of the scintillator and the photo-diode. The ratio of the active surface area of the photo-diode to the area of the scintillator coated with reflective material is appreciably less than unity.