Abstract: Radiation detection assemblies and related methods, including methods of making radiation detection assemblies and devices, as well as methods of performing radiation detection. A radiation detection assembly includes a radiation detector comprising a scintillator layer and an optically transparent substrate, the detector having a first side and a second side, a first imaging photodetector optically coupled to the first side of the detector, and a second imaging photodetector optically coupled to the second side of the detector, wherein at least one of the photodetectors is a position-sensitive imaging photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new scintillator, cerium bromide (CeBr3), for gamma ray spectroscopy. Crystals of this scintillator have been grown using the Bridgman process. In CeBr3, Ce3+ is an intrinsic constituent as well as a luminescence center for the scintillation process. The crystals have high light output (˜68,000 photons/MeV) and fast decay constant (˜17 ns). Furthermore, it shows excellent energy resolution for ?-ray detection. For example, energy resolution of <4% (FWHM) has been achieved using this scintillator for 662 keV photons (137Cs source) at room temperature. High timing resolution (<200 ps-FWHM) has been recorded with CeBr3-PMT and BaF2-PMT detectors operating in coincidence using 511 keV positron annihilation ?-ray pairs.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible radiation detectors and related methods, including methods of making radiation detectors and assemblies according to the present invention. A flexible radiation detector includes a first resin layer and a scintillator layer deposited on the first resin layer. A method of making a flexible radiation detector includes forming a first resin layer on a substrate, depositing a scintillator layer on the first resin layer, and removing from the substrate at least a portion of a combination comprising the first resin layer and the scintillator, thereby producing a flexible radiation detector comprising the removed portion of first resin layer and scintillator layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to neutron detecting scintillators and related methods and devices. A neutron detecting scintillator includes a plurality of microcapillary tubes loaded with a scintillator composition comprising a plastic scintillator and a neutron absorbing material. The present invention additionally provides methods of producing a neutron detecting scintillator having a plurality of microcapillary tubes loaded with a scintillator composition comprising a plastic scintillator and a neutron absorbing material. The method includes preparing a solution comprising a monomer and a neutron absorbing element, introducing the solution into a microcapillary tube of the plurality, and polymerizing the solution within the microcapillary tube.

Abstract: The present invention concerns scintillators comprising a composition having the formula LuxY(1?x)Xa3, wherein Xa is a halide, and a dopant. The LuxY(1?x)Xa3 and dopant material has surprisingly good characteristics including high light output, high gamma-ray stopping efficiency, fast response, low cost, and minimal afterglow, thereby making the material useful for various applications including, for example, gamma-ray spectroscopy, medical imaging, nuclear and high energy physics research, diffraction, non-destructive testing, nuclear treaty verification and safeguards, geological exploration, and the like. The timing resolution of the scintillators of the present invention also provides compositions suitable for use in imaging applications, such as positron emission tomography (e.g., time-of-flight PET) and CT imaging.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for selectively forming a scintillator layer on a substrate as well as related devices. The method includes positioning an electrostatic dissipative organic resin layer on a first portion of a substrate surface, and depositing scintillator material on both the resin layer and a second portion of the substrate surface. The method further includes removing the resin layer from the substrate as to remove from the substrate scintillator material deposited on the resin layer while leaving scintillator material on the second portion of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides internal gain charge coupled devices (CCD) and CT scanners that incorporate an internal gain CCD. A combined positron emission tomography and CT scanner is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes very fast scintillator materials including lutetium iodide doped with Cerium (Lu1-xI3:Cex; LuI3:Ce). The LuI3 scintillator material has surprisingly good characteristics including high light output, high gamma-ray stopping efficiency, fast response, low cost, good proportionality, and minimal afterglow that the material is useful for gamma-ray spectroscopy, medical imaging, nuclear and high energy physics research, diffraction, non-destructive testing, nuclear treaty verification and safeguards, and geological exploration.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides improved devices, systems, and methods for measuring materials with NMR and/or MRI. Exemplary embodiments provide a sensor array for NMR mapping of the material. For example tissue can be measured with the sensor array mounted on a probe body having a distal portion which can be inserted through a minimally invasive aperture. While many tissues can be measured and/or diagnosed, one exemplary embodiment includes a probe adapted for insertion into a lumen of a blood vessel. The sensor array can provide improved spatial resolution of tissue and/or tissue structures positioned near the sensor array to diagnose potentially life threatening diseases, for example a fibrous cap covering a vulnerable plaque. In specific embodiments, the sensors are attached to an expandable member, for example a balloon, which can be inflated to urge the probe sensors radially outward to position the sensors near the tissue structures.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a semiconductor-detection device that provides internal gain. The method includes forming a plurality of bottom trenches in a bottom surface of an n-doped semiconductor wafer; and forming a second plurality of top trenches in a top surface of the semiconductor wafer. The bottom surface and the top surface are opposed surfaces. Each of the bottom trenches is substantially parallel to and substantially juxtaposed to an associated one of the top trenches. The method further includes doping the semiconductor wafer with at least one p-type dopant to form a p-region that defines at least one n-well within the p-region, wherein a p-n junction is formed substantially at an interface of the n-well and the p-region; and removing a portion of the bottom surface to form a remaining-bottom surface, wherein a portion of the n-well forms a portion of the remaining-bottom surface.

Abstract: A material analysis system configured to determine whether a circuit is defective includes a magnetic field generator configured to generate a first magnetic field that is configured to induce at least one eddy current in a conductive portion of the circuit, wherein the eddy current induces a second magnetic field; a set of magnetic field sensors configured to detect the second magnetic field and generate a set of image information therefrom; a database that includes circuit information for the circuit; and a computing device configured to receive the image information from the set of magnetic field sensors and retrieve the circuit information from the database, wherein the computing device is configured to compare the image information to the circuit information to determine whether the circuit is defective.

Abstract: Scintillation materials of this invention have an alkali halide host material, a (first) scintillation dopant of various types, and a variety of second dopants (co-dopants). In another embodiment, the scintillation materials of this invention have an alkali halide host material, a (first) scintillation dopant of various types, a variety of second dopants (co-dopants), and a variety of third dopants (co-dopants). Co-dopants of this invention are capable of providing a second auxiliary luminescent cation dopant, capable of introducing an anion size and electronegativity mismatch, capable of introducing a mismatch of anion charge, or introducing a mismatch of cation charge in the host material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns very fast scintillator materials comprising lutetium iodide doped with Cerium (Lu1-xI3:Cex; LuI3:Ce). The LuI3 scintillator material has surprisingly good characteristics including high light output, high gamma ray stopping efficiency, fast response, low cost, good proportionality, and minimal afterglow that the material is useful for gamma ray spectroscopy, medical imaging, nuclear and high energy physics research, diffraction, non-destructive testing, nuclear treaty verification and safeguards, and geological exploration. The timing resolution of the scintillators of the present invention provide compositions capable of resolving the position of an annihilation event within a portion of a human body cross-section.

Abstract: A method of coating the joined crystals within a semiconductor conversion layer to reduce the dark current without compromising the sensitivity of the conversion layer is presented. A semiconductor conversion layer comprising a plurality of joined crystals and permeated by a polymer material and having microscopic voids is also presented.

Abstract: The present invention concerns very fast scintillator materials capable of resolving the position of an annihilation event within a portion of a human body cross-section. In one embodiment, the scintillator material comprises LaBr3 doped with cerium. Particular attention is drawn to LaBr3 doped with a quantity of Ce that is chosen for improving the timing properties, in particular the rise time and resultant timing resolution of the scintillator, and locational capabilities of the scintillator.

Abstract: The present invention concerns very fast scintillator materials comprising lutetium iodide doped with Cerium (Lu1-xI3:Cex; LuI3:Ce). The LuI3 scintillator material has surprisingly good characteristics including high light output, high gamma-ray stopping efficiency, fast response, low cost, good proportionality, and minimal afterglow that the material is useful for gamma-ray spectroscopy, medical imaging, nuclear and high energy physics research, diffraction, non-destructive testing, nuclear treaty verification and safeguards, and geological exploration. The timing resolution of the scintillators of the present invention provide compositions capable of resolving the position of an annihilation event within a portion of a human body cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention is a solid state detector that has internal gain and incorporates a special readout technique to determine the input position at which a detected signal originated without introducing any dead space to the active area of the device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detector is a silicon avalanche photodiode that provides a two dimensional position sensitive readout for each event that is detected.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus having a hand-held radiation detection probe with a switch assembly removably mounted thereon is hereinafter disclosed. The switch assembly having first and second switches, one to initiate transmission of electrical signals representing scintillations detected over a set time period to a remotely located control unit for counting and averaging, and the other to direct the control unit to download and preferably record the counted and averaged scintillation values for further use. The switch assembly has an insulating member for electrically insulating the switches from the probe, and spaced gripping members that releasably grip the probe. A movable stand is provided preferably with a holder for holding the probe. The probe can have a protective cover thereon with a switch assembly mounted onto the probe over the cover.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an apparatus for an enhanced imaging sensor consisting of pixellated micro columnar scintillation film material for x-ray imaging comprising a scintillation substrate and a micro columnar scintillation film material in contact with the scintillation substrate. The micro columnar scintillation film material is formed from a doped scintillator material. According to the invention, the micro columnar scintillation film material is subdivided into arrays of optically independent pixels having interpixel gaps between the optically independent pixels. These optically independent pixels channel detectable light to a detector element thereby reducing optical crosstalk between the pixels providing for an X-ray converter capable of increasing efficiency without the associated loss of spatial resolution. The interpixel gaps are further filled with a dielectric and or reflective material to substantially reduce optical crosstalk and enhance light collection efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention concerns very fast scintillator materials capable of resolving the position of an annihilation event within a portion of a human body cross-section. In one embodiment, the scintillator material comprises LaBr3 doped with cerium. Particular attention is drawn to LaBr3 doped with a quantity of Ce that is chosen for improving the timing properties, in particular the rise time and resultant timing resolution of the scintillator, and locational capabilities of the scintillator.