Abstract: A temperature control assembly that enables precise temperature control for radiation detectors, such as positron emission tomography (“PET”) detectors and other densely packed electronics is described. The temperature control assembly includes a liquid cooling assembly that generally includes a cold plate having formed therein one or more channels through which a liquid coolant is able to flow. The channels are enclosed by the cold plate, such that the liquid coolant does not come into contact with sensitive electronic components used in the radiation detectors. When a liquid coolant is flowing through the channels, a sufficiently low humidity level is maintained external the cold plate. The liquid cooling assembly is removable and can be arranged between layers of printed circuit boards in an array of radiation detectors. Heating elements can be coupled the liquid cooling assembly and operated to increase the temperature as necessary to maintain a precisely controlled temperature environment.

Abstract: Described here are tileable block detectors for use in nuclear medicine applications, such as in positron emission tomography (“PET”] systems and positron emission mammography (“PEM”] systems. The block detectors described here are four-side tileable such that seamless arrays of block detectors can be constructed for use in PET or PEM systems. When so arrayed, the block detectors allow for a full-size seamless detector that achieves full coverage of an object (e.g., a gently immobilized breast), improves data collection, and enables high-resolution imaging with a significantly lower radiation dose than with other currently available PEM systems.

Abstract: Described here are tileable block detectors for use in nuclear medicine applications, such as in positron emission tomography (“PET”] systems and positron emission mammography (“PEM”] systems. The block detectors described here are four-side tileable such that seamless arrays of block detectors can be constructed for use in PET or PEM systems. When so arrayed, the block detectors allow for a full-size seamless detector that achieves full coverage of an object (e.g., a gently immobilized breast), improves data collection, and enables high-resolution imaging with a significantly lower radiation dose than with other currently available PEM systems.

Abstract: PbO-based photoconductive X-ray imaging devices are disclosed in which the PbO photoconductive layer exhibits an amorphous crystal structure. According to selected embodiments, the amorphous PbO photoconductive layer may be formed by providing a substrate inside an evacuated evaporation chamber and evaporating lead oxide to deposit a photoconductive lead oxide layer onto the substrate, while subjecting the photoconductive layer to ion bombardment with oxygen ions having an ion energy between 25 and 100 eV. X-ray direct detection imaging devices formed from such amorphous PbO photoconductive layers are shown to exhibit image lag that is suitable for fluoroscopic imaging.

Abstract: PbO-based photoconductive X-ray imaging devices are disclosed in which the PbO photoconductive layer exhibits an amorphous crystal structure. According to selected embodiments, the amorphous PbO photoconductive layer may be formed by providing a substrate inside an evacuated evaporation chamber and evaporating lead oxide to deposit a photoconductive lead oxide layer onto the substrate, while subjecting the photoconductive layer to ion bombardment with oxygen ions having an ion energy between 25 and 100 eV. X-ray direct detection imaging devices formed from such amorphous PbO photoconductive layers are shown to exhibit image lag that is suitable for fluoroscopic imaging.

Abstract: Systems and methods of resetting a blocking-type photoconductive imaging detector are provided. In one embodiment, after having obtained an image, the imaging detector may be reset by applying a reversed bias potential difference and illuminating the imaging radiation detector with photoexcitation radiation. The photoexcitation radiation has a wavelength selected to excite mobile charges within the photoconductive layer and a spatial intensity profile related to the measured image for neutralizing the trapped charges in a spatially compensated manner. In another embodiment, a photoionizing beam is directed onto an x-ray light valve having a liquid crystal layer in contact with a photoconductive layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of resetting a blocking-type photoconductive imaging detector are provided. In one embodiment, after having obtained an image, the imaging detector may be reset by applying a reversed bias potential difference and illuminating the imaging radiation detector with photoexcitation radiation. The photoexcitation radiation has a wavelength selected to excite mobile charges within the photoconductive layer and a spatial intensity profile related to the measured image for neutralizing the trapped charges in a spatially compensated manner. In another embodiment, a photoionizing beam is directed onto an x-ray light valve having a liquid crystal layer in contact with a photoconductive layer.

Abstract: A photodetector/imaging device comprises a layer of photoconductive material converting incident electromagnetic radiation into electrical charges, the layer of photoconductive material being capable of avalanche multiplication when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied thereacross; a readout layer detecting the electrical charge; and at least one interface layer between the layer of photoconductive material and the readout layer, the interface layer coupling electrical charge to or from the layer of photoconductive material and being configured to inhibit uncontrolled rises in current in the photoconductive material during avalanche multiplication.

Abstract: A photodetector/imaging device comprises a layer of photoconductive material converting incident electromagnetic radiation into electrical charges, the layer of photoconductive material being capable of avalanche multiplication when an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied thereacross; a readout layer detecting the electrical charge; and at least one interface layer between the layer of photoconductive material and the readout layer, the interface layer coupling electrical charge to or from the layer of photoconductive material and being configured to inhibit uncontrolled rises in current in the photoconductive material during avalanche multiplication.