With Optics Patents (Class 250/368)
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Publication number: 20110068273Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation-detecting device and an associated detection method. The detection device includes a scintillation crystal and an avalanche photodiode. The surface of the scintillation crystal is coated with a high-reflection layer. When ionizing radiation irradiates the scintillation crystal, the crystal emits luminescence, which passes through or is reflected by the high-reflection layer at least once within the scintillation crystal before it is received by the avalanche photodiode, generating a detection signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: NATIONAL YANG MING UNIVERSITYInventors: Fu-Jen KAO, Cheng-Chi WU
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Patent number: 7910891Abstract: Unused camera pixel locations are recovered when shifting from photographing an x-ray scintillation image of a larger subject to that of a substantially smaller one by using a suitably shorter optical path combined with appropriate changes in focus. The optical path for large subjects involves a first mirror followed by a second mirror. The camera receives light from the second mirror, and is in a fixed and unchanging physical relationship to that second mirror, forming a unitary mirror-camera assembly. To shorten the optical path that unitary assembly is rotated about an axis from a position where it was in the optical path downstream from the first mirror to one where the second mirror is interposed between the scintillation screen and the first mirror, and also such that the camera looks in a different direction along the shortened optical path length.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Inventor: James Edward Cannon
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Publication number: 20110049373Abstract: Provided is a radiological image reader that reads radiological images from an imaging plate. The reader includes: a holder that holds the imaging plate in a flat manner; a light source that emits excitation light; a scanning mechanism that causes an optical path of the excitation light emitted from the light source to rotate around a rotation axis being perpendicular to a scanning plane including a radiological image forming surface of the imaging plate held by the holder and being apart from the light source, and causes an irradiation point at which the excitation light emitted from the light source is irradiated to circularly move on the scanning plane; a photodetector that is provided on the rotation axis and detects photostimulated luminescence light emitted from the irradiation point; and a relative movement mechanism that causes the holder to move in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis, relative to the scanning mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Yoshito Sugihara, Yuuki Yoshida, Takeshi Hayashi, Masakazu Suzuki
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Publication number: 20110017916Abstract: In nuclear imaging, when a gamma ray strikes a scintillator, a burst of visible light is created. That light is detected by a photodetector and processed by downstream electronics. It is desirable to harness as much of the burst of light as possible and get it to the photodetector. In a detector element (18), a first reflective layer (44) partially envelops a scintillation crystal (34). The first reflective layer (44) diffuses the scintillated light. A second reflective layer (46) and a support component reflective layer (48) prevent the light from leaving the scintillation crystal (34) by any route except a light emitting face (36) of the scintillator (34). In another embodiment, a light concentrator (50) is coupled to the scintillator (34) and channels the diffuse light onto a light sensitive portion of a photodetector (38). The reflective layers (44, 46, 48) and the concentrator (50) ensure that all or nearly all of the light emitted by the scintillator (34) is received by the photodetector (38).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2008Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Volkmar Schulz, Carsten Degenhardt, Jerome J. Griesmer, Steven E. Cooke
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Patent number: 7872236Abstract: A charged particle detector consists of four independent light guide modules assembled together to form a segmented on-axis annular detector, with a center opening for allowing the primary charged particle beam to pass through. One side of the assembly facing the specimen is coated with or bonded to scintillator material as the charged particle detection surface. Each light guide module is coupled to a photomultiplier tube to allow light signals transmitted through each light guide module to be amplified and processed separately. A charged particle detector is made from a single block of light guide material processed to have a cone shaped circular cutout from one face, terminating on the opposite face to an opening to allow the primary charged particle beam to pass through. The opposite face is coated with or bonded to scintillator material as the charged particle detection surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Hermes Microvision, Inc.Inventors: Xu Zhang, Joe Wang, Zhong-Wei Chen
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Publication number: 20100314546Abstract: A radiation detector (100) includes a scintillator (102), a wavelength shifter (112), and a photodetector (110). The scintillator (102) produces scintillation photons of a first relatively short wavelength, for example in the ultraviolet or deep ultraviolet. The photodetector is sensitive to photons in the visible portion of the spectrum. The wavelength shifter reduces a spectral mismatch between the scintillator (102) and the photodetector (110).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2007Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.Inventor: Cornelis R. Ronda
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Publication number: 20100314547Abstract: There is provided a scintillator plate which is superior in productivity, exhibits enhanced light extraction efficiency of a scintillator and enhanced sharpness and results in reduced deterioration in sharpness between flat light-receiving element surfaces. There are also provided a scintillator panel and a flat panel radiation detector by use thereof. The scintillator plate comprises a reflection layer, a resinous anticorrosion layer and a scintillator layer provided sequentially in this order on a heat-resistant resin substrate, wherein the scintillator plate is employed, as a component for a flat panel radiation detector, without being physicochemically adhered to the surface of a flat light-receiving element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2007Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHIC, INC.Inventors: Shinji Kudo, Yasushi Nagata
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Publication number: 20100308227Abstract: In a scintillator of a radiation detector according to this invention, first reflectors provided in first scintillation counter crystal layer adjacent to one another have gaps wider than first reflectors provided in second scintillation counter crystal layer such that an overall width of the first reflectors in the first scintillation counter crystal layer in an arranging direction is identical to an overall width of the first reflectors in the second scintillation counter crystal layer in an arranging direction. Such construction improves spatial resolution at a side end of the scintillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2008Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Tomoaki Tsuda
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Publication number: 20100294943Abstract: A scintillator system is provided to detect the presence of fissile material and radioactive material. One or more neutron detectors include scintillator material, and are optically coupled to one or more wavelength shifting fiber optic light guide media that extend from the scintillator material to guide light from the scintillator material to a photosensor. An electrical output of the photosensor is connected to an input of a pre-amp circuit designed to provide an optimum pulse shape for each of neutron pulses and gamma pulses in the detector signals. Scintillator material as neutron detector elements can be spatially distributed with interposed moderator material. Individual neutron detectors can be spatially distributed with interposed moderator material. Detectors and moderators can be arranged in a V-shape or a corrugated configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Innovative American Technology Inc.Inventor: DAVID L. FRANK
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Publication number: 20100288934Abstract: An apparatus and method for in vivo and ex vivo control, detection and measurement of radiation in therapy, diagnostics, and related applications accomplished through scintillating fiber detection. One example includes scintillating fibers placed along a delivery guide such as a catheter for measuring applied radiation levels during radiotherapy treatments, sensing locations of a radiation source, or providing feedback of sensed radiation. Another option is to place the fibers into a positioning device such as a balloon, or otherwise in the field of the radiation delivery. The scintillating fibers provide light output levels correlating to the levels of radiation striking the fibers and comparative measurement between fibers can be used for more extensive dose mapping. Adjustments to a radiation treatment may be made as needed based on actual and measured applied dosages as determined by the fiber detectors. Characteristics of a radiation source may also be measured using scintillating materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Cynthia E. Keppel, Paul Gueye, Christopher Sinesi
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Publication number: 20100282975Abstract: A survey meter for measuring a radioactive contamination caused in an inner surface of a pipe includes a radiation detecting section and a signal processing section. The radiation detecting section includes a rod-shaped light guide unit, a reflecting portion connected to one end surface of the light guide unit, a photoelectric transfer unit, for outputting an electronic signal, connected to another one end surface of the light guide unit, and a scintillator unit provided to a circumference of the light guide unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2007Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Akio Sumita, Syunichiro Makino, Mikio Izumi, Tetsuo Goto
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Patent number: 7829857Abstract: A radiation detector device is disclosed that includes a photosensor and a scintillator coupled to the photosensor. The scintillator includes a scintillator crystal having a first end proximal to the photosensor, a second end distal from the photosensor, and a length extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The scintillator also includes a reflector substantially surrounding the scintillator crystal at least along its length. The reflector comprises a fabric that includes a plurality of fibers, each fiber comprising an inorganic material.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Inventor: Peter R. Menge
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Publication number: 20100277593Abstract: In order to detect an image generated by an image source, a mirror arrangement is arranged between the image source and a detector. The mirror arrangement includes two spaced-apart deflection mirrors, which are parallel to each other or form an acute angle of less than 90° between them. In particular when the image source is a scintillator layer, shielding of X-rays from the detector with simultaneous compact dimensioning of the apparatus is achieved in this manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Peter SCHMITT, Guenther KOSTKA, Rolf BEHRENDT, Matthias KUBE, Wolfgang GROEGER
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Publication number: 20100270462Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray photon (including gamma ray photon) and particle radiation for radiographic imaging (including conventional CT and radiation therapy portal and CT), nuclear medicine, material composition analysis, container inspection, mine detection, remediation, high energy physics, and astronomy. This invention provides novel face-on, edge-on, edge-on sub-aperture resolution (SAR), and face-on SAR scintillator detectors, designs and systems for enhanced slit and slot scan radiographic imaging suitable for medical, industrial, Homeland Security, and scientific applications. Some of these detector designs are readily extended for use as area detectors, including cross-coupled arrays, gas detectors, and Compton gamma cameras. Energy integration, photon counting, and limited energy resolution readout capabilities are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Robert Sigurd Nelson, William Bert Nelson
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Publication number: 20100264318Abstract: The present invention describes scintillator-elements for use in X-ray detectors, the elements being shaped to ensure maximum absorption of the energy carried in by X-ray photons and to provide high position-resolution. Arrangements of such scintillator-elements in arrays and detector-systems comprising a plurality of arrays are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Inventor: Aurel A. Faibis
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Patent number: 7818047Abstract: A readout electronics scheme is under development for high resolution, compact PET (positron emission tomography) imagers based on LSO (lutetium ortho-oxysilicate, Lu2SiO5) scintillator and avalanche photodiode (APD) arrays. The key is to obtain sufficient timing and energy resolution at a low power level, less than about 30 mW per channel, including all required functions. To this end, a simple leading edge level crossing discriminator is used, in combination with a transimpedance preamplifier. The APD used has a gain of order 1,000, and an output noise current of several pA/?Hz, allowing bipolar technology to be used instead of CMOS, for increased speed and power efficiency. A prototype of the preamplifier and discriminator has been constructed, achieving timing resolution of 1.5 ns FWHM, 2.7 ns full width at one tenth maximum, relative to an LSO/PMT detector, and an energy resolution of 13.6% FWHM at 511 keV, while operating at a power level of 22 mW per channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Nova R&D, Inc.Inventors: Tumay O Tumer, Martin Clajus, Gerard Visser
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Patent number: 7807975Abstract: In order to detect an image generated by an image source, a mirror arrangement is arranged between the image source and a detector. The mirror arrangement includes two spaced-apart deflection mirrors, which are parallel to each other or form an acute angle of less than 90° between them. In particular when the image source is a scintillator layer, shielding of X-rays from the detector with simultaneous compact dimensioning of the apparatus is achieved in this manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Peter Schmitt, Guenther Kostka, Rolf Behrendt, Matthias Kube, Wolfgang Groeger
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Publication number: 20100237251Abstract: A thin radiation detector with a high sensitivity is described. The radiation detector has light receiving elements receiving lights emitted by scintillators, performs a photoelectric conversion by using an avalanche multiplication film formed by amorphous selenium, and reads signals by using electron beams constantly discharged from a plurality of electron beam emitting sources called as a field emission array. The avalanche multiplication film formed by amorphous selenium is quite thin and has a simple structure, so it can be formed compactly and realized at a low cost. In addition, a signal amplification degree is approximately 1000 times, so an expensive low noise amplifier or a dedicated temperature adjusting mechanism is not required, and a quantum efficiency is sufficient for a wavelength of 300˜400 nm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2006Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATIONInventors: Hiromichi Tonami, Junichi Ohi
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Publication number: 20100230604Abstract: The present invention is a photodiode and/or photodiode array, having a p+ diffused area that is smaller than the area of a mounted scintillator crystal, designed and manufactured with improved device characteristics, and more particularly, has relatively low dark current, low capacitance and improved signal-to-noise ratio characteristics. More specifically, the present invention is a photodiode and/or photodiode array that includes a metal shield for reflecting light back into a scintillator crystal, thus allowing for a relatively small p+ diffused area.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Peter Steven Bui, Narayan Dass Taneja
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Publication number: 20100230605Abstract: A scintillator for an imaging device includes a plate made of a material capable of emitting photons according to an incident radiation. The scintillator further includes at least one block of a second material capable of emitting photons according to the incident radiation. The plate and the block are assembled via the edge of the plate by connecting means that absorbs all or some of the photons emitted by the plate and the block. A scintillator module and an imaging device with such a scintillator, and a method of manufacturing a scintillator are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2008Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: David Partouche-Sebban, Isabelle Abraham
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Publication number: 20100230603Abstract: A radiation detector includes a neutron sensing element having a neutron scintillating material at least partially surrounded by an optical waveguide material; and a photosensing element optically coupled to the neutron sensing element. The photons emitted from the neutron sensing element are collected and channeled through the optical waveguide material and into the photosensing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Brent Allen Clothier, Daniel Bruno McDevitt, Adrian Ivan
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Publication number: 20100224784Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation detector includes, a substrate, a scintillator layer, a moistureproof body, and an adhesion layer. The substrate comprises a photoelectric conversion element. The scintillator layer is formed on the substrate and converts radiation into fluorescence. The moistureproof body comprises a flange portion in a periphery thereof, the moistureproof body being deep enough to contain at least the scintillator layer. The adhesion layer causes the substrate and the flange portion of the moistureproof body to adhere to each other in a sealed manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhisa Homma, Hitoshi Chiyoma, Shinetsu Fujieda, Keiko Sakai, Masakuni Ikagawa, Akiko Suzuki
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Publication number: 20100224783Abstract: A scintillator system is provided to detect the presence of fissile material and radioactive material. One or more neutron detectors are based on 6LiF mixed in a binder medium with scintillator material, and are optically coupled to one or more wavelength shifting fiber optic light guide media that have a tapered portion extending from the scintillator material to guide light from the scintillator material to a photosensor at the tapered portion. An electrical output of the photosensor is connected to an input of a first pre-amp circuit designed to operate close to a pulse shape and duration of a light pulse from the scintillator material, without signal distortion. The scintillator material includes a set of scintillation layers connected to the wavelength shifting fiber optic light guide media that guide light to the photosensor. Moderator material is applied around the set of scintillation layers increasing detector efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: Innovative American Technology Inc.Inventor: DAVID L. FRANK
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Publication number: 20100207031Abstract: A scintillator arrangement for detecting X-ray radiation includes a plurality of pixels separated from one another by reflectors and made of a scintillator ceramic, doped in particular by cerium, for converting the X-ray radiation into visible light. In at least one embodiment, the reflectors are designed for absorbing light with a wavelength range which corresponds to a selected emission band of the scintillator ceramic. Thus, the concentration of cerium in the scintillator ceramic can be reduced and this leads to an increased light yield.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventor: Jürgen Leppert
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Publication number: 20100171039Abstract: A detector made of a detector assembly including a detector housing comprising a reflective interior surface relative to a wavelength of fluoresced electromagnetic radiation, and a scintillator contained within the detector housing. The detector further including a photomultiplier tube (PMT) coupled to the detector housing, wherein a portion of the PMT is contained within the detector housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventor: Lance J. Wilson
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Publication number: 20100171038Abstract: A production method for a sensor unit is specified, the unit including both a scintillator and a support plate on which a stack of collimator sheets is attached. In at least one embodiment, the production method permits particularly precise positioning of the collimator sheets in respect of the scintillator. In the process, individual scintillator strips are initially produced from a plurality of scintillator pixels adjoining one another along one dimension. Respectively one photodiode strip, made of a plurality of photodiodes in turn adjoining one another along one dimension, is attached to each of the individual scintillator strips along a longitudinal side in order to form a sensor strip. In at least one embodiment, respectively one photodiode is associated with respectively one scintillator pixel for readout purposes. The sensor strips are subsequently individually assembled on an outer side of the support plate facing away from the collimator sheets in order to form the scintillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventor: Stefan Wirth
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Patent number: 7750311Abstract: A three-dimensional detector module for use in detecting annihilation photons generated by positrons emitted from radio-labeled sites within a body is formed from multiple solid state photo-detectors attached to one or more scintillators. Each photo-detector can be attached to a scintillator to form a photo-detector/scintillator combination and multiple photo-detector/scintillator combinations can be arranged in an array. Alternatively, multiple photo-detectors can be attached to the surface of a single scintillator to form an array. Multiple arrays are then stacked to form a photo-detector module. The modules can then be assembled to form a sheet of photo-detector modules. Multiple sheets or multiple modules can then be arranged around a body to detect emissions from radio-labeled sites in the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Intramedical Imaging, LLCInventor: Farhad Daghighian
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Patent number: 7750306Abstract: Embodiments of a radiation detector and subassemblies thereof are provided having a scintillator with a face and a reflector constructed and arranged to redirect a majority of light leaving the face of the scintillator at an angle within a range of 45 to 135 degrees compared to the direction in which the light was traveling when it left the face. In other embodiments a method is provided including receiving radiation into a scintillator having a face, producing light with the scintillator in response to the radiation, allowing at least a portion of the light to leave the face, and reflecting a majority of the light leaving the face at an angle within a range of 45 to 135 degrees compared to the direction in which the light was traveling when it left the face with a reflector. Other embodiments are directed to a reflector including a plurality of prisms having a first face and a second face with a barrier on the first face.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Peter R. Menge, Michael L. Bush, Michael Jacobson
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Publication number: 20100155610Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a scintillation reflector that may include a specular material having a first and second surface, and a first diffuse material arranged adjacent to the first surface of the specular material and proximal to the scintillator surface. The composite reflector may surround at least a portion of a scintillator surface as provided in scintillation detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS, INC.Inventors: Peter R. Menge, Louis Perna
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Patent number: 7742574Abstract: A new device for x-ray optics is proposed which is an analogous to zone plates but works for higher x-ray energies. This is achieved by using both refraction and diffraction of the x-rays and building the new device(s) in a three dimensional structure, contrary to the zone plates which are basically a two dimensional device. The three dimensional structure is built from a multitude of prisms, utilizing both refraction and diffraction of incoming x-rays to shape the overall x-ray flux. True two dimensional focusing is achieved in the x-ray energy range usually employed in medical imaging and may be used in a wide area of applications in this field and in other fields of x-ray imaging. The device can be readily produced in large volumes.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Inventor: Staffan Karlsson
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Publication number: 20100148078Abstract: The present invention refers to X-ray technology and is intended for application in medical X-ray units. A small-sized X-ray image detector is created, wherein the photoelectric sensor is protected against X-rays, but the capability of obtaining high-quality images is retained. The X-ray image detector incorporates a housing 1 with a wall 2 radiotransparent, in which a fluorescent screen 3, an optical system 4 and a CCD matrix 5 are installed; protective screen functions are provided by the lenses incorporated in the optical system, at least ten of which shall have refraction index no less than 1.6, and the fluorescent screen attenuates X-rays by 30%.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: ZAO "IMPULSE"Inventors: Yury A. Veip, Alexey A. Borisov, Valery V. Kozodoi, Voldemar O. Reboni
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Patent number: 7737408Abstract: A scintillation detector according to an embodiment of the invention features a monolithic scintillation crystal and a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the scintillation crystal. The optical fibers are arranged to convey scintillation light to an optical sensor that is located exterior to the scintillation crystal. Because the optical fibers are extremely small in diameter, a multiplicity of them can be coupled to the scintillation crystal to provide the extremely high resolution of a pixelated scintillation crystal while the comparative manufacturing simplicity of a monolithic scintillation crystal is maintained. In preferred embodiments, the optical fibers are further arranged so that depth of interaction information can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventor: Niraj K. Doshi
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Publication number: 20100140482Abstract: A sensing device for characterizing a substance by modifying modes of resonance of surface plasmons is described. The sensing device comprises: a photo-emitting substrate layer for generating a luminescence signal; a dielectric adaptive layer applied onto the photo-emitting substrate layer; and a sensing layer applied onto the dielectric adaptive layer, the sensing layer having a sensing surface for coupling with the substance to be characterized. The luminescence signal generates surface plasmons having modes of resonance at the interface of the sensing layer and the substance to be characterized. The substance to be characterized, when coupled to the sensing layer, characteristically modifies the modes of resonance of the surface plasmons.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2008Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Jan J. Dubowski, Dominic Lepage
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Patent number: 7732762Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inspecting a specimen surface. The method comprises the steps of generating a plurality of primary beams directed towards the specimen surface, focussing the plurality of primary beams onto respective loci on the specimen surface, collecting a plurality of secondary beams of charged particles originating from the specimen surface upon incidence of the primary beams, converting at least one of the collected secondary beams into an optical beam, and detecting the optical beam.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNOInventors: Michiel David Nijkerk, Pieter Kruit
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Patent number: 7718972Abstract: An emitted light in a scintillator element is sufficiently diffused in the scintillator array to be inputted into a photo multiplier tube (PMT) using a side face light guide that is optically coupled with respect to a side face of a scintillator array, except for in an end area. In the end area, the emitted light in the scintillator element is sufficiently diffused also in the side face light guide to be inputted into the PMT. In this way, also in the scintillator element in the end area, the emitted light is sufficiently diffused in the side face light guide, and thereby the precision of separation of a position calculation map in the end area may be improved, resulting in improved discriminating ability of a position in the end area.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Shimadzu CorporationInventors: Tomoaki Tsuda, Jyunichi Ohi
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Publication number: 20100116997Abstract: A radiation detector characterized by includes a photoelectric conversion element, a scintillation layer which converts radioactive rays to fluorescence, the scintillation layer being formed on the photoelectric conversion element, and a reflective film formed on the scintillation layer, the reflective film containing light-scattering particles for reflecting the fluorescence from the scintillation layer and a binder material binding the light-scattering particles, and having depletion portions without being filled with the binder material, the depletion portions being formed in a periphery of the light-scattering particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2010Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhisa Homma, Shinetsu Fujieda
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Publication number: 20100116996Abstract: Detector with a partially transparent scintillator substrate According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a flat detector is provided in which an opaque layer between a transparent substrate and a CsI scintillator is arranged. This layer is made partially transparent by opening many small holes in the opaque layer with for example a pulsed laser. This allows for the application of light to the inside of the front end of the flat detector through the opaque layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventor: Tiemen Poorter
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Publication number: 20100108897Abstract: A light emitting film is transferred to a light emitting plate serving as a transfer destination member, by a transfer method. The light emitting plate contains a first scintillator material for detecting ? ray. The light emitting film includes a protective layer, a light tight layer and a light emitting layer. The light emitting layer contains an adhesive material, and a second scintillator material added thereto for detecting ? ray. The light emitting film may be directly formed on a surface of a transparent member, a light receiving surface of a photomultiplier tube or the like by a transfer method. The light tight layer and the light emitting layer are arranged between the protective layer and the transfer destination member, and thus the light tight layer and the light emitting layer are protected physically.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2007Publication date: May 6, 2010Inventor: Akinori Iwamoto
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Publication number: 20100102238Abstract: A luminescence quantum efficiency measuring instrument is provided for easily and surely changing luminescence of a luminescent sample exhibiting strong luminescence anisotropy into an isotropic luminescence and for accurately measuring the luminescence quantum efficiency of the luminescent sample. The luminescence quantum efficiency measuring instrument comprises an integrating sphere (1) having a center, an excitation light entrance window (2), and a detection probe end (3) connected to a spectroscope, the excitation light entrance window and the detection probe end being disposed in respective directions perpendicular to each other on a plane including the center, wherein a luminescent sample (5) is disposed inside the integrating sphere (1) and on a vertical line extending from the center and vertical to the plane, and a baffle plate (7) is disposed at a place through which the luminescent sample (5) is seen from the detection probe end (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicants: SHINSHU UNIVERSITY, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING INC.Inventors: Shusuke Kanazawa, Musubu Ichikawa, Yoshio Taniguchi
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Patent number: 7705315Abstract: An Ag film as a light-reflecting film is formed on one surface of an a-C substrate of a scintillator panel. The entire surface of the Ag film is covered with an SiN film for protecting the Ag film. A scintillator having a columnar structure, which converts an incident radiation into visible light, is formed on the surface of the SiN film. The scintillator is covered with a polyparaxylylene film together with the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.Inventors: Takuya Homme, Toshio Takabayashi, Hiroto Sato, Takaharu Suzuki, Yoshio Natsume
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Publication number: 20100096540Abstract: A dosimeter for radiation fields is described. The dosimeter includes a scintillator a light pipe having a first end in optical communication with the scintillator and a light detector. The light pipe may have a hollow core with a light reflective material about the periphery of the hollow core. The dosimeter may further include a light source that generates light for use as a calibrating signal for a measurement signal and/or for use to check the light pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Simon Fleming, Justin Elsey, Susan Law, Natalka Suchowerska, Jamil Lambert, David Robert McKenzie
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Publication number: 20100098311Abstract: In nuclear imaging, solid state photo multipliers (48) are replacing traditional photomultiplier tubes. One current problem with solid state photomultipliers, is that they are difficult to manufacture in the size in which a typical scintillator is manufactured. Resultantly, the photomultipliers have a smaller light receiving face (50) than a light emitting face (46) of the scintillators (44). The present application contemplates inserting a reflective material (52) between the solid state photomultipliers (48). Instead of being wasted, light that initially misses the photomultiplier (48) is reflected back by the reflective material (52) and eventually back to the radiation receiving face (50) of the photomultiplier (48).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N. V.Inventors: Andreas Thon, Torsten Solf
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Patent number: 7696482Abstract: High spatial resolution radiation detectors, assemblies and methods including methods of making the radiation detectors and using the detectors in performing radiation detection. A radiation detector of the invention includes a substrate, a scintillator layer comprising a microcolumnar scintillator, and an optically transparent outer cover layer, the scintillator layer disposed between the substrate and the cover layer with a gap disposed between at least a portion of the cover layer and the scintillator layer.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc.Inventors: Vivek Nagarkar, Valeriy Gaysinskiy
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Publication number: 20100084563Abstract: The distribution of abnormal tissue, such as lesions, in an observed object is precisely detected regardless of the distribution of absorbing material present in a living organism. Provided is a fluorescence imaging apparatus (1) including an excitation-light radiating unit (2) that irradiates an observed object with excitation light of a plurality of wavelengths; a filter (14) that transmits fluorescence in a specific wavelength band from among fluorescence produced by the observed object in response to the excitation light radiated from the excitation-light radiating unit (2); a light detector (15) that detects the fluorescence transmitted through the filter (14); and a computing unit (18) that calculates a fluorescence intensity ratio in the same wavelength band in response to the excitation light of the plurality of wavelengths, which is detected by the light detector (15).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATIONInventor: Wataru Ohno
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Publication number: 20100084562Abstract: A radiation detection system for detecting the presence and location of a radiation source includes an optical fiber bundle having fibers of different lengths, a radiation sensitive material, a stimulating source and an optical detector. The stimulating source stimulates the radiation sensitive material and the radiation sensitive material releases a light output, while the light output provides a readout signal for each fiber corresponding in intensity to the radiation received from the radiation source. The optical detector receives the readout signal such that the variations in intensity of the readout signals along the length of the bundle determine the presence and general location of the radiation source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2007Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: Daniel K. Angell, Thomas K. Hunt
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Publication number: 20100072376Abstract: A spectral filter used in conjunction with a lutetium-based scintillation material in a radiation detector is in imaging systems. The spectral filter operates to block at least a portion, but preferably substantially all, of an undesired infrared afterglow which results from ytterbium impurities in the lutetium-based scintillation material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventor: Cees RONDA
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Patent number: 7683336Abstract: A gamma-ray detector (42, 52, 72, 92) comprising a large-area plastic scintillation body (44, 64, 74, 94) and a photon detector (38, 58, 68, 78) optically coupled to the scintillation body to receive and detect photons (P1, P2, P3) generated by gamma-ray interactions. Selected portions of the scintillation body surface are provided with a reflective layer (46, 60, 80) in planar contact with the scintillation body. Other regions are not provided with a reflective layer. Thus specular reflection is promoted in at the surfaces provided with the reflective layer, while total internal reflection may occur in the regions which are not provided with a reflective layer, hi a scintillation body generally in the form of a plank, the photon detector is coupled to one end, and the regions provided with the reflective layer are the edges of the plank. The scintillation body may be shaped so that it reduced in cross section in a direction away from the photon detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Symetrica LimitedInventors: David Ramsden, Christopher David Henry Burt
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Patent number: 7683335Abstract: Threshold Cerenkov Detector With Radial Segmentation permits correlation between number of photons produced in concentrically arranged radiator tubes and particle momentum that yields a 90% confidence level for e, ?, ?, and p identification up to 4-5 GeV/c or four to five times greater than the momentum limit for particle identification in Threshold Cerenkov Detectors, wherein detector has three concentric cylinders with a total of 25 radiator tubes, each cylinder of tubes has different medium; and four scintillators are employed which trigger cosmic particles within a window of 5ns. Radiator designs produce more photons as particles enter improved TCDRS design and fewer photons as they leave. Correlation between the number of photons produced in the tubes and the particle momentum yields about a 90% confidence level for e, ?, ?, and p identification up to 4-5 GeV/c times greater than the momentum limit for particle identification using existing Threshold Cerenkov Detectors.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityInventors: Elliot Allen Treadwell, Ely Ivan Leon
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Publication number: 20100065747Abstract: The invention concerns a device for analyzing a particle beam comprising at least one detector including a fiber-optic network, the network of parallel fibers comprising at least one first plane of parallel optical fibers oriented along a first direction X; the detector is designed to produce a light signal when the particle beam passes through the fiber-optic network, an image sensor coupled with the detector so as to output a signal representing characteristics of the light signal. The invention is characterized in that the image sensor comprises a CCD or CMOS sensor, wherein the ends of the fibers of the fiber-optic network are designed to form an image of the light signal in the plane of the CCD or CMOS sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: March 18, 2010Inventors: Maurice Haguenauer, Alain Busata, Akli Karar
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Publication number: 20100032576Abstract: A lens-coupled camera for an electron microscope is disclosed. The camera includes a CCD, a scintillator, at least one lens, and a mirror, such that at least the CCD and scintillator are housed in the vacuum chamber of the electron microscope, which has only one vacuum chamber. In a further embodiment, the CCD, scintillator, lens and mirror are affixed to a fixed mechanical linkage such that the CCD, scintillator, lens and mirror move together when the camera is retracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: GATAN, INC.Inventors: Paul Mooney, Daniel Moonen