With Optics Patents (Class 250/368)
  • Patent number: 9360571
    Abstract: A system and method for correcting vignetting distortion in an imaging sensor of a multi-camera flat panel X-Ray detector. A scintillator converts X-Ray radiation generated by an X-Ray source into detectable radiation. A displacement unit generates, during a calibration phase, relative displacement between the X-Ray detector and an X-Ray source at a plane parallel to the scintillator. The imaging sensor acquires, during the calibration phase, a first and a second partial images, the first partial image is acquired before the relative displacement is generated, and the second partial image is acquired after the relative displacement is generated. A relative displacement measurement unit measures the relative displacement. Coefficients of a preliminary inverse vignetting function are calculated based on differences between corresponding pixels of the two partial images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: GENERIC IMAGING LTD.
    Inventors: Eduard Batkilin, Irina Karelin, Alex Feldman
  • Patent number: 9307230
    Abstract: Optical characteristics of an optical component for a high volume manufacture consumer electronics device can be tested using a test chart composed of a superposition of two or more groups of parallel line pairs, wherein all the groups of parallel line pairs are oriented at a different inclination. The groups of line pairs could be oriented so that they are perpendicular to each other. A test system can quickly and objectively assess for example the sharpness of the optical component in different directions across a full image field of view of an imaging system that is capturing a digital image of the chart using the optical component for through-the-lens imaging. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Wu, Mark N. Gamadia, Shizhe Shen
  • Patent number: 9268038
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a scintillator layer configured to absorb radiation emitted from a radiation source and to emit optical photons in response to the absorbed radiation. The radiation detector also includes a photodetector layer configured to absorb the optical photons emitted by the scintillator layer. The radiation detector further includes a reflector configured to reflect the optical photons emitted by the scintillator layer towards the photodetector layer and to absorb select wavelengths of optical photons associated with an afterglow emitted by the scintillator layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: David Michael Hoffman
  • Patent number: 9200957
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring ultraviolet radiation and mount for retaining the sensor includes a converter plate having a perimeter and an edge about the perimeter, a retainer comprising a conical mirror and a frame having a UV blocker, and a fluorescent radiation detector coupled to the frame. The converter plate fluoresces in response to UV radiation incident on the converter plate. The conical mirror couples with the converter plate and directs a portion of the fluorescent radiation emitted from the edge of the plate to the detector coupled to the frame. The detector detects the fluorescent radiation from the converter plate and produces an electrical signal proportional to the magnitude of fluorescent radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventor: Ihor V Berezhnyy
  • Patent number: 9182502
    Abstract: Provided is an analysis apparatus for a high energy particle and an analysis method for a high energy particle. The analysis apparatus for the high energy particle includes a scintillator generating photons with each unique wavelength by the impinging with a plurality of kinds of accelerated high energy particles, a parallel beam converting unit making the photons proceed in parallel to one another, a diffraction grating panel making the photons proceeding in parallel to one another enter at a certain angle, and refracting the photons at different angles depending on each unique wavelength, and a plurality of sensing units arranged on positions where the photons refracted at different angles from the diffraction grating panel reach in a state of being spatially separated, and detecting each of the photons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Moon Youn Jung, Nam Soo Myung, Dong-Ho Shin, Hwang Woon Lee, Dong Hoon Song, Seunghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9182503
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a scintillation pixel array, a radiation sensing apparatus, a scintillation apparatus, and methods of making a scintillation pixel array wherein scintillation pixels have beveled surfaces and a reflective material around the beveled surfaces. The embodiments described herein can reduce the amount of cross-talk between adjacent scintillation pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Peter R. Menge
  • Patent number: 9121950
    Abstract: An imaging detector (214) includes a scintillator array (216) including a scintillator element (228) and a material (230) and a photosensor array (218) including a detector element (222) having a light sensitive region (224) and a non-sensitive region (226). The light sensitive region is separated from the scintillator element by a gap, the light sensitive region is in one-to-one mechanical alignment with the scintillator element, and the non-sensitive region is in mechanical alignment with the material. The detector further includes structure (234) that includes one or more material free channels. The structure is located between the non-sensitive region and the material and not between the light sensitive region and the scintillator element. An optical adhesive (232) is located in the gap, filling the entire gap, and mechanically and optically coupling the light sensitive region and the scintillator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Randall Peter Luhta, Marc Anthony Chappo, Brian E. Harwood, Rodney Arnold Mattson
  • Patent number: 9075151
    Abstract: A detector unit for a detector array includes a photo sensor array, a light guide, and a plurality of scintillator elements formed unitarily with the light guide, the scintillator elements configured to emit absorbed energy in the form of light, the light guide being configured to transmit the light received from at least one of the scintillator elements to a photo sensor, the light guide and the plurality of scintillators being formed from the same material, an area covered by the photo sensors being smaller than an area covered by the scintillator elements and a number of photo sensors being less than a number of scintillator elements. A detector array and a method of manufacturing a detector array are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick Rose, David McDaniel, Leonid Romanov
  • Patent number: 9040928
    Abstract: A detector for detecting ionizing radiation comprises a scintillator 10 selected to emit light in response to incidence thereon of radiation to be detected, at least one detector 16 for detecting said emitted light, and at least one optical waveguide 12 for transmitting said emitted light to said detector 16. The optical waveguide typically comprises a flexible solid or hollow fiber that can be incorporated into a flexible mat or into a fiber-reinforced structure, so that the detector is integrated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Michael Dunleavy, Sajad Haq, Douglas Beverley Stevenson King, Nicholas Robert Giacomo Colosimo, Jonathan Alexander Silvie, Philip Lawrence Webberley
  • Patent number: 9029790
    Abstract: In imaging on the basis of list mode data of a list of radioactive count data detected by a nuclear medicine imaging apparatus for measuring radiation in a pulse mode, the processing from the measurement to imaging of radiation is accelerated substantially to the real time level by selecting the number of count data to be used for online imaging computations on the basis of the counting rate of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: National Institute of Radiological Sciences
    Inventors: Taiga Yamaya, Eiji Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9024266
    Abstract: A radiation detection system can include optical fibers and a material disposed between the optical fibers. In an embodiment, the material can include a fluid, such as a gas, a liquid, or a non-Newtonian fluid. In another embodiment, the material can include an optical coupling material. In a particular embodiment, the optical coupling material can include a silicone rubber. In still another embodiment, the optical coupling material has a refractive index less than 1.50. In still another embodiment, the radiation detection system can have a greater signal:noise ratio, a light collection efficiency, or both as compared to a conventional radiation detection system. Corresponding methods of use are disclosed that can provide better discrimination between neutrons and gamma radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Menge
  • Patent number: 9018588
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus can have optical coupling material capable of absorbing wavelengths of light within approximately 75 nm of a wavelength of scintillating light of a scintillation member of the radiation detection apparatus. In an embodiment, the optical coupling material can be disposed between a photosensor of the radiation detection apparatus and the scintillation member. In a particular embodiment, the composition of the optical coupling material can include a dye. In an illustrative embodiment, the dye can have a corresponding a* coordinate, a corresponding b* coordinate, and an L* coordinate greater than 0. In another embodiment, the optical coupling material can be disposed along substantially all of a side of the photosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter R. Menge
  • Patent number: 9006668
    Abstract: A method to improve light extraction from scintillators in a gamma ray detector, the method including forming a roughened layer on a light-emitting surface of the scintillators, the roughened thin layer having a pillar/column or a corn-shaped structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry Wang, Gin Chung Wang, Huini Du
  • Publication number: 20150098549
    Abstract: Apparatus for radiography is disclosed, which includes a scintillator having a first surface for being exposed to radiation and a second surface for emitting visible light in response, and an associated imaging system. The imaging system includes a plurality of scanning mirrors, each associated with a respective sub-region of the scintillator second surface, each scanning mirror being mounted and controlled so as to re-direct light from along a predetermined scan path within the respective sub-region towards a respective optical channel. A photodetector is associated with each scanning mirror and optical channel for receiving the re-directed light and generating an electrical signal representing light intensity. A processor receives the electrical signal from each photodetector and the corresponding position of each mirror to generate therefrom a reconstructed two-dimensional image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Malcolm Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9000383
    Abstract: A digital image detector and a digital image detecting method using gratings are provided. The digital image detector includes a fluorescent screen that receives X-rays passing through an object, converts the received X-rays into rays and outputs the converted rays, a first reflecting plane that reduces an image based on the rays output from the fluorescent screen in a first axis direction using a grating, a second reflecting plane that reduces the image reduced by the first reflecting plane in a second axis direction using a grating, and an imaging device that receives the image reflected and output from the second reflecting plane, focuses the received image, and converts the focused image into an electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Inventor: Dong June Seen
  • Publication number: 20150090889
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes a selecting unit that allows a light having a light emission wavelength and a polarization direction to pass thorough the selecting unit, an optical system that forms an image of the light, a photon detecting unit that observes the image formed by the optical system, and detects the photon in whole range of the image, a counting unit that calculates the number of the alpha ray based on a result of counting the photon derived from the light emission of gas excited by the alpha ray, and is possible to sufficiently eliminate background light (noise light) even if background light is strong, and therefore observe weak light emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidehiko KURODA, Kunihiko NAKAYAMA, Kei TAKAKURA, Mikio IZUMI, Naoto KUME
  • Patent number: 8993973
    Abstract: In a lattice-like pixel structure in which reflecting plates that reflect a fluorescent light from a fluorescent material-based neutron detecting sheet are arranged along vertical and horizontal axes at a regular interval, a lattice-like fluorescent light detecting member is provided, in which grooves may be formed at an upper half position of the vertical axis direction reflecting plate and at a center position in a vertical axis interval for accommodating a wavelength shifting fiber for vertical axis detection and at a lower half position of the horizontal axis direction reflecting plate and at a center position in a horizontal axis interval for accommodating a wavelength shifting fiber for horizontal axis detection; and a fluorescent material-based neutron detecting sheet is arranged only at a front surface or at both of a front surface and a back surface of the lattice-like fluorescent light detecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Chichibu Fuji Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Nakamura, Masaki Katagiri, Noriaki Tsutsui
  • Patent number: 8993972
    Abstract: A fluorescence based sensor system that provides improved signal-to-noise over prior systems is provided. The system includes a fluorescence based sensing medium that is contained a recessed cavity with reflective sides that allow for more uniform excitation of the fluorescence based sensing medium by the excitation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: University of Maryland Baltimore County
    Inventors: Govind Rao, Hung Lam, Yordan Kostov, Leah Tolosa, Xudong Ge
  • Publication number: 20150083911
    Abstract: An electron-detector comprises a scintillator plate 207, electron optics 204 for directing a plurality of electron beams 9 onto the scintillator plate so that the electron beams are incident onto the scintillator plate at locations of incidence disposed at a distance from each other, a light detector 237 comprising a plurality of light receiving areas 235 disposed at a distance from each other, and light optics for generating a first light-optical image of at least a portion of the scintillator plate at a region 243 where the light receiving areas of the light detector are disposed so that, by the imaging, each of the locations of incidence is associated with a light receiving area; and wherein the electron optics comprise an electron beam deflector 255 for displacing the locations of incidence of the electron beams on the scintillator plate in a direction orthogonal to a normal 249 of a surface 208 of the scintillator plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Dirk Zeidler, Jörg Jacobi
  • Publication number: 20150078520
    Abstract: A miniature, portable x-ray system may be configured to scan images stored on a phosphor. A flash circuit may be configured to project red light onto a phosphor and receive blue light from the phosphor. A digital monochrome camera may be configured to receive the blue light to capture an article near the phosphor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Scott A. Watson, Evan A. Rose
  • Patent number: 8973245
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a flat panel detector such that the surface on the side of a fluorescent body layer of a scintillator panel which has the fluorescent body layer comprising a column crystal on the supporting body, is coupled to the planar light receiving element surface of a light-receiving element, comprising: a step of manufacturing the scintillator panel which has a larger area than that of the planar light receiving element surface; a step of trimming the edges of the scintillator panel, obtained by the step of manufacturing the scintillator panel, to correspond to the area of the planar light receiving element surface; and a step of coupling the edge-trimmed scintillator panel to the planar light receiving element surface, thus providing a flat panel detector which has an excellent productivity and that can be made small in size without non-image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventors: Takehiko Shoji, Keiko Itaya, Masashi Kondo, Makoto Iijima
  • Publication number: 20150060679
    Abstract: A scanning optical system includes: a galvanometer mirror that reflects and deflects a light beam emitted from a light source, and an f? lens that focuses the deflected light beam on a scanning target surface. The f? lens is constituted by a first lens, which is a spherical lens having a positive power, a second lens, which is a spherical lens having a negative power, a third lens, which is a spherical lens having a negative power, a fourth lens, which is a spherical lens having a positive power or a negative power, and a fifth lens, which is a spherical lens having a positive power, provided in this order from the side of the galvanometer mirror. The scanning optical system satisfies Conditional Formula (1) below: ?4.654?f/f4?0.255??(1) wherein f is the focal length of the entire f? lens, and f4 is the focal length of the fourth lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Hiromi ISHIKAWA, Yasunori OHTA, Tomoki INOUE
  • Publication number: 20150034829
    Abstract: A radiation sensor may include a scintillator, a reflector, and a sensor. The scintillator may be capable of converting non-visible radiation into scintillation light. The reflector may be formed from material of outside surfaces of the scintillator, to reflect the scintillation light. The sensor may be positioned in proximity to the scintillator, to detect the scintillation light from the scintillator. A method of manufacturing a scintillator with an intrinsic reflector may include heating the scintillator in an oxygen-deficient environment at a first temperature for a first predetermined time period, and optionally annealing the scintillator in an oxygenated environment at a second temperature for a second predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Merry Koschan, Mohit Tyagi
  • Patent number: 8946656
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting ionizing radiation from a source. A detector is disposed relative to the source to receive the ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation causes ionization and/or excitation in the detector, wherein an optical property of the detector is altered in response to the ionization and/or excitation. A source of coherent probing light is disposed relative to the detector to probe the detector. The detector outputs the probing light, wherein the output light is modulated in response to the altered optical property. A receiver receives the output light and detects modulation in the output light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Peter D. Olcott, Craig S. Levin
  • Patent number: 8933410
    Abstract: A three-dimensional position-sensitive radiation detector is provided which has a three-dimensional array of photodetectors disposed on the surface of a scintillator block and which is capable of three-dimensionally identifying the position of light emission at which radiation has been detected within the detector. The three-dimensional position-sensitive radiation detector includes: a scintillator block including a central portion which restricts the direction of diffusion of light so as to direct the light in three axial directions and which has an optically discontinuous region, and an outer portion which is disposed on the outside of the central portion and which does not restrict the direction of diffusion of light; and photodetectors disposed on at least two outer circumferential surfaces of the scintillator block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Naoko Inadama, Hideo Murayama, Taiga Yamaya, Mitsuo Watanabe, Takahiro Moriya, Kenshi Fukumitsu, Tomohide Omura
  • Patent number: 8907291
    Abstract: A positron emission tomography (PET) detector module includes an array of scintillation crystal elements and a plurality of photosensors arranged to at least partially cover the array of scintillation crystal elements. The photosensors are configured to receive light emitted from the array of scintillation crystal elements. The module includes a transparent adhesive arranged between the array of scintillation crystal elements and the plurality of photosensors. The transparent adhesive extends directly from a surface of at least one of the scintillation crystal elements to a surface of at least one of the photosensors and is configured to distribute the light emitted from one of the scintillation crystal elements to more than one of the photosensors. A method of manufacturing the module includes various steps utilizing a fixture. A PET scanner uses multiple modules arranged circumferentially around an area to be scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Kent C. Burr, Daniel Gagnon, Zhengyan Wang
  • Publication number: 20140346363
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes two reflecting plate lattices that are combined into a single reflecting plate lattice. The use of such a structure simplifies the manufacturing of a scintillator. The radiation detector reduces the number of reflecting plate lattices that are stacked when manufacturing the scintillator, enabling the scintillator to be manufactured easily. Moreover, the number of reflecting plate lattices to be manufactured is reduced, reducing commensurately the number of components required for manufacturing the scintillator. The scintillator may be manufactured more easily and an inexpensive radiation detector may be obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromichi TONAMI, Tomoaki TSUDA
  • Patent number: 8895935
    Abstract: An assembly for a charged particle detection unit is described. The assembly comprises a scintillator disc, a partially coated light guide a thin metal tube for allowing the primary charged particle beam to pass through and a photomultiplier tube (PMT). The shape of scintillator disc and light guide are redesigned to improved the light signal transmission thereafter enhance the light collection efficiency. A light guide with a conicoidal surface over an embedded scintillator improved the light collection efficiency of 34% over a conventional design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hermes Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhibin Wang, Wei He, Qingpo Xi, Shuai Li, Fumin He
  • Patent number: 8890077
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method of detecting inaccessible radiation sources by measuring corresponding ions and excited molecules created by radiation, using LIDAR technology. The LIDAR system of the present invention employs a pulsed laser transmitter, a telescope receiver, and associated control and acquisition systems. Light propagates out from the laser transmitted and is directed into the volume surrounding the radioactive source, or the “ion cloud.” The ion cloud absorbs the transmitted light, which induces the non-fluorescing ions to fluoresce. Light from the ion cloud is then backscattered and the telescope receiver subsequently collects the photons from the backscattered light. The intensity of the fluorescence (determined by the photon count) is measured, which provides an indication of the number density of the ionized atoms. Algorithms can then be used to relate the measured ionization rates to the source activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Rosson, Bernd Kahn, Brent Wagner, David Roberts
  • Publication number: 20140321617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a detection apparatus for detecting radiation. The detection apparatus comprises a GOS material (20) for generating scintillation light depending on the detected radiation (25), an optical filter (24) for reducing the intensity of a part of the scintillation light having a wavelength being larger than 650 nm, and a detection unit (21) for detecting the filtered scintillation light. Because of the filtering procedure relatively slow components, i.e. components corresponding to a relatively large decay time, of the scintillation light weakly constribute to the detection process or are not detected at all by the detection unit, thereby increasing the temporal resolution of the detection apparatus. The resulting fast detection apparatus can be suitable for kVp-switching computed tomography systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Roland Proksa, Axel Thran
  • Patent number: 8866091
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of acquiring images created by penetration of a radioactive ray. The apparatus includes a scintillator to generate a light signal in response to an irradiated radioactive ray, and to change an advancing direction of the generate light signal, a light receiving unit to receive the light signal whose advancing direction is changed, and a signal processing unit to convert the received light signal into an electrical signal, and acquire an image corresponding to the penetrated irradiated radioactive ray based on the converted electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Su Kim, Young Hun Sung, Jong Ha Lee, Dong-Goo Kang
  • Patent number: 8865473
    Abstract: A luminescence detecting apparatus and method for analyzing luminescent samples is disclosed. A detecting apparatus may be configured so that light from luminescent samples pass through a collimator, a first lens, a filter, and a camera lens, whereupon an image is created by the optics on the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The detecting apparatus may further include central processing control of all operations, multiple wavelength filter wheel, and/or a robot for handling of samples and reagents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Gambini, Jeff Levi, John Voyta, Bruce E. DeSimas, II, Edward Lakatos, Israel Metal, George Sabak, Yongdong Wang, Susan A. Atwood-Stone
  • Patent number: 8868154
    Abstract: A front end for an imaging system. The front end comprises at least one magnetically-insensitive high-energy photon detector and an interface for converting an output of the at least one high-energy photon detector to an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal. A receiver is optically coupled to the interface to receive the optical signal and convert the optical signal into a voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Craig S. Levin, Peter D. Olcott
  • Publication number: 20140284487
    Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus includes a sensor panel which includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a scintillator layer disposed above the photoelectric conversion unit and configured to convert radiation into light, a reflection layer disposed above the scintillator layer and configured to reflect part of light generated by the scintillator layer toward the sensor panel; and a protective layer which covers the scintillator layer from above the reflection layer. The scintillator layer is fixed on the sensor panel. The reflection layer is fixed on the protective layer. Part of the protective layer is bonded to the sensor panel with an adhesive material so as to seal the scintillator layer and the reflection layer with the protective layer and the sensor panel. An upper surface of the scintillator layer includes a portion which is not fixed to the reflection layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Sawada, Masato Inoue, Shinichi Takeda, Takamasa Ishii, Taiki Takei, Kota Nishibe
  • Publication number: 20140264042
    Abstract: A rugged scintillation crystal assembly includes several scintillator crystals, which are optically coupled to each other by resilient optical-coupling material such as silicone pads and/or grease. The scintillator crystals are configured to collectively emit optical signals. Such a stack may combine the advantages of both a long form-factor for the overall assembly with the ruggedness of the assembly's component short crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CBG Corporation
    Inventor: Paul L. Sinclair
  • Publication number: 20140264045
    Abstract: An optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter system. An OSL reader configured to produce data indicative of a radiation exposure, one or more OSL dosimeters fabricated from a thermoluminescent material, a light stimulation source configured to stimulate the OSL dosimeter to produce luminescence emissions, and a light-detection system that measures the intensity of such luminescence emissions and converts the electrical signal to a binary string that can be processed by an appropriately programmed computer configured to analyze data from the reader and produce data indicative of an extent of radiation exposure. Dose information is obtained without requiring heating of the dosimeter. The dosimeter can be interrogated multiple times with minimal loss of dose information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Barbara A. Marcheschi, Brian L. Justus, Alan L. Huston
  • Patent number: 8829450
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of acquiring images created by penetration of a radioactive ray. The apparatus includes a scintillator to generate a light signal in response to an irradiated radioactive ray, and to change an advancing direction of the generate light signal, a light receiving unit to receive the light signal whose advancing direction is changed, and a signal processing unit to convert the received light signal into an electrical signal, and acquire an image corresponding to the penetrated irradiated radioactive ray based on the converted electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Su Kim, Young Hun Sung, Jong Ha Lee, Dong-Goo Kang
  • Patent number: 8829451
    Abstract: An assembly for a charged particle detection device of high detection efficiency is described. The assembly comprising a metal grid for applying attractive potential to lure charged particles; a scintillator disc to absorb the energy from impinging charged particle and reemit the energy in form of light or photons; a light guide to transmit light or photons; and a photomultiplier tube (PMT) cohere with the end of light guide to receive light or photons from light guide and convert it into current signal. A light guide with a bullet-head-shaped front portion ensures total reflection of light propagating within the light guide. A frustum-cone-shaped scintillator disc releases the light that originally trapped in the scintillator disc due to the shape of scintillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hermes Microvision, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhibin Wang, Wei He, Fumin He
  • Publication number: 20140233690
    Abstract: An X-ray detection submodule, comprising: a substrate; a photodiode mounted on the substrate; an X-ray detection element configured to detect an X-ray and convert the X-ray into light; and a light waveguide provided between the photodiode and the X-ray detection element, wherein the light waveguide connects the X-ray detection element with the photodiode such that the substrate is inclinedly disposed with respect to an X-ray detection surface of the X-ray detection element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi HASHIMOTO, Akira Nishijima, Shuya Nambu, Yoji Kudo, Masahiko Yamazaki, Tomonori Asada
  • Publication number: 20140231656
    Abstract: An optical fiber can include a polymer and a scintillation quencher. The optical fiber can be a member of a radiation sensor or radiation detecting system. The scintillation quencher can include a UV-absorber or a scintillation resistant material. In one embodiment, the radiation sensor includes a scintillator that is capable of generating a first radiation having a wavelength of at least about 420 nm; and a scintillation quencher is capable of absorbing a second radiation having a wavelength of less than about 420 nm. The optical fiber including a scintillation quencher provides for a method to detect neutrons in a radiation detecting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael R. Kusner
  • Patent number: 8809794
    Abstract: A radiation detector comprises a scintillator 2A having a first end face 11, a second end face 13 disposed on a side opposite from the first end face 11, and a plurality of light-scattering surfaces 21 formed with an interval therebetween along a first direction P from the first end face 11 side to the second end face 13 side; a first photodetector 12 optically coupled to the first end face 11; and a second photodetector 14 optically coupled to the second end face 13. The light-scattering surfaces 21 are formed so as to intersect the first direction P. The light-scattering surfaces 21 include modified regions 21R formed by irradiating the inside of the scintillator 2A with laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uchida, Takaji Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140224994
    Abstract: A radiation detector includes a scintillator crystal (2) in the form of a slab mounted to be rotated by a drive (4) in a housing (8). A photon detector (6) detects photons emitted by the crystal (2). The crystal (2) is rotated to a number of measurement angles and the radiation emitted by a radiation source determined by counting the photons detected by the photon detector. This is used to determine the direction towards the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: UCL Business Plc
    Inventor: Robert Speller
  • Publication number: 20140217296
    Abstract: Provided is a composition for reflective film comprising a polyvinyl acetal resin, an epoxidized vegetable oil, a solvent, a coupling agent and titanium oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinetsu Fujieda, Katsuhisa Homma, Akiko Suzuki, Tatsuoki Kono
  • Publication number: 20140221724
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring radiation levels in vivo in real time. Apparatus and methods include a scintillating material coupled to a retention member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: A. Sam BEDDAR, Tina Marie BRIERE, Louis ARCHAMBAULT
  • Publication number: 20140209808
    Abstract: A radiation-monitoring diagnostic hodoscope system for producing an approximate image of radiation-detecting components within or external to a pressure vessel of an operating, damaged, or shutdown nuclear-power plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventor: Alexander De Volpi
  • Patent number: 8779368
    Abstract: A scintillation detection unit for the detection of back-scattered electrons for electron and ion microscopes, in which the scintillation detection unit consists of body and at least one system for processing the light signal, where the body is at least partly made of scintillation material and is at least partly situated in a column of an electron or ion microscope and is made up of at least one hollow part. The height of the body of scintillation detection unit measured in the direction of longitudinal axis is greater than one-and-a-half times the greatest width measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow part with the greatest width. The walls of the hollow parts are vacuum-sealed in the areas outside bottom holes and top holes and make up part of a vacuum-sealed jacket which is passed through by the primary beam of electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Tescan Orsay Holding, A.S., Crytur, Spol, S.R.O.
    Inventors: Martin Zadra{hacek over (z)}il, Silvie Dokulilova, Karel Bla{hacek over (z)}ek, Petr Horodyský
  • Patent number: 8772726
    Abstract: A detector tile (116) of an imaging detector array (112) includes a scintillator array (202), a photosensor array (204), which includes a plurality of photosensitive pixels, optically coupled to the scintillator array (202), and a current-to-frequency (I/F) converter (302). The I/F converter (302) includes an integrator (304) that integrates charge output by a photosensitive pixel during an integration period and generates a signal indicative thereof and a comparator (310) that generates a pulse when the generated signal satisfies predetermined criteria during the integration period. A reset device (316) resets the integrator (304) in response to the comparator (310) generating a pulse. Circuitry (320, 324) samples the generated signal at a beginning of the integration period and/or at an end of the integration period and generates quantized digital data indicative thereof. Logic (322) estimates the charge at the input of the integrator (304) based on the generated digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Herrmann, Michael Overdick
  • Publication number: 20140175296
    Abstract: An apparatus to detect gamma rays, comprising a scintillator, a position sensitive photo sensor and a scintillation-light-incidence-angle-constraining, SLIAC, element, the scintillator has faces and the position sensitive photo sensor detects scintillation photons exiting a scintillation photons transparent face of the scintillator, and a portion of a scintillator face is covered with an absorbing layer, which absorbs scintillation photons created by scintillation events due to the interaction of incoming gamma rays with the scintillator, and the SLIAC element is optically coupled between a scintillation photons transparent face of the scintillator and the position sensitive photo sensor and the SLIAC element guides the scintillation photons exiting the scintillator towards the position sensitive photo sensor, and the SLIAC element restricts the maximum allowed half light acceptance angle for the scintillation light hitting the position sensitive photo sensor to less than 45°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: General Equipment for Medical Imaging S. A. (Oncovision)
    Inventors: Jose Maria Benlloch Baviera, Antonio Javier Gonzalez Martinez, Filomeno Sanchez Martinez, Cesar Molinos Sonsona, Juan Vicente Catret Mascarell, Carlos Correcher Salvador, Noriel Pavon Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20140158892
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring ultraviolet radiation and mount for retaining the sensor includes a converter plate having a perimeter and an edge about the perimeter, a retainer comprising a conical mirror and a frame having a UV blocker, and a fluorescent radiation detector coupled to the frame. The converter plate fluoresces in response to UV radiation incident on the converter plate. The conical mirror couples with the converter plate and directs a portion of the fluorescent radiation emitted from the edge of the plate to the detector coupled to the frame. The detector detects the fluorescent radiation from the converter plate and produces an electrical signal proportional to the magnitude of fluorescent radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: AMO Development, LLC
    Inventor: Ihor V. Berezhnyy
  • Publication number: 20140151568
    Abstract: A digital image detector and a digital image detecting method using gratings are provided. The digital image detector includes a fluorescent screen that receives X-rays passing through an object, converts the received X-rays into rays and outputs the converted rays, a first reflecting plane that reduces an image based on the rays output from the fluorescent screen in a first axis direction using a grating, a second reflecting plane that reduces the image reduced by the first reflecting plane in a second axis direction using a grating, and an imaging device that receives the image reflected and output from the second reflecting plane, focuses the received image, and converts the focused image into an electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventor: Dong June Seen