Microcrystalline scintillation glass array and scintillator detector

Abstract

This disclosure provides a microcrystalline scintillation glass array and a scintillator detector, relating to the field of radiation detection technology. The microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes: at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, each layer comprising multiple microcrystalline scintillation glasses, each microcrystalline scintillation glass comprising a glass substrate and multiple microcrystals coated on the glass substrate; wherein the fabrication process of the microcrystalline scintillation glass includes incorporating microcrystals into the glass, and the material used to form each microcrystal includes a scintillator. Since the scintillator in the microcrystalline scintillation glass array is only incorporated into the glass in the form of microcrystals, the amount of scintillator required to fabricate the microcrystalline scintillation glass array is small, resulting in low cost. Furthermore, in the microcrystalline scintillation glass, the glass coating of the microcrystals provides a sealed environment for the microcrystals, making them less prone to deliquescence, and the protective effect of the glass broadens the application environment of the microcrystalline scintillation glass.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of radiation detection technology, and more specifically, to a microcrystalline scintillation glass array and a scintillation detector. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of radiation detection technology, scintillator detectors are important tools for detecting the trajectories of energy particles, and scintillator arrays are an important component of scintillator detectors.

[0003] In related technologies, scintillator arrays are constructed based on the arrangement of scintillator crystals.

[0004] However, the fabrication of scintillation crystals requires a large amount of inorganic crystal material, resulting in high production costs and demanding advanced fabrication processes and technologies. Therefore, the cost of scintillator detection based on scintillation crystal arrays is high. Furthermore, scintillation crystals are difficult to grow to a large area, resulting in a small sensitive area for scintillator detectors based on scintillation crystal arrays. For large-area detection, scanning detection is the only option, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the background section above is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides a microcrystalline scintillation glass array and a scintillation detector, which at least to some extent overcomes the problems of the large number of scintillation elements and high cost required to construct the scintillation array in the aforementioned related technologies.

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a scintillation glass array is provided, comprising: at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, each layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array comprising a plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses, each microcrystalline scintillation glass comprising a glass substrate and a plurality of microcrystals covered by the glass substrate; wherein the preparation process of the microcrystalline scintillation glass includes incorporating microcrystals into glass, and the material used to make each microcrystal comprises a scintillator.

[0008] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass has a linear shape; or, the microcrystalline scintillation glass has a planar shape; or, the microcrystalline scintillation glass has a curved shape.

[0009] In one embodiment, each layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array comprises microcrystalline scintillation glass arranged in the same direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes two layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array arranged at a predetermined angle.

[0011] In one embodiment, the plurality of microcrystals are uniformly distributed in the glass substrate, and the number of the plurality of microcrystals is a preset number, so that the scintillator detector based on the microcrystal scintillating glass array has a preset sensitivity.

[0012] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass is a microcrystalline scintillation fiber.

[0013] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass is coated with a reflective film.

[0014] In one embodiment, the material forming a microcrystal includes a scintillator; or, the material forming a microcrystal includes multiple scintillators.

[0015] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a scintillator detector is provided, comprising: a microcrystalline scintillating glass array as described in any of the above embodiments; a photoelectric converter for converting an optical signal output by the microcrystalline scintillating glass array into an electrical signal; and a signal processing device for processing the electrical signal to obtain radiation information.

[0016] In one embodiment, the photoelectric converter is coupled to the microcrystalline scintillation glass array via air or a light-conducting material.

[0017] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0018] In the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure, the microcrystalline scintillation glass array is composed of microcrystalline scintillation glass, which includes a glass substrate and multiple microcrystals covered by the glass substrate. The material used to make the microcrystals includes a scintillator. Since microcrystalline scintillation glass is made of glass, its cost is significantly reduced compared to scintillation crystals made from crystals. Furthermore, glass growth technology is mature, and large-area, multi-type microcrystalline scintillation glass is easy to manufacture. Therefore, microcrystalline scintillation glass can have a large sensitive surface area. Scintillator detectors based on this microcrystalline scintillation glass can achieve direct detection over a large area without scanning, saving time and effort.

[0019] Furthermore, in microcrystalline scintillation glass, the glass coating of microcrystals provides a sealed environment for the microcrystals, making them less prone to deliquescence. Moreover, due to the protective effect of the glass, the application environment of microcrystalline scintillation glass is more extensive.

[0020] Furthermore, microcrystalline scintillation glass, which is made by integrating microcrystals into glass, is easier to shape than scintillation crystals, thus expanding the application scenarios of microcrystalline scintillation glass arrays.

[0021] Furthermore, by incorporating microcrystals into glass to create microcrystalline scintillation glass, it is easier to control the number and arrangement of the incorporated microcrystals, thereby controlling the sensitivity of the scintillator detector based on the scintillation glass array.

[0022] Furthermore, since the microcrystals are incorporated into the glass after fabrication, they can be fabricated in advance. The method of fabricating microcrystals separately in advance makes it easier to control the type of scintillator used to fabricate the microcrystals. Therefore, by controlling the scintillator used to fabricate the microcrystals, the scintillator detector based on the microcrystal scintillator glass array can detect a variety of energy particles, thus expanding the application scenarios of the scintillator detector based on the microcrystal scintillator glass array.

[0023] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a microcrystalline scintillation glass array in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the shape of the microcrystalline scintillation glass in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a curved microcrystalline scintillation glass in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a microcrystalline scintillation glass array in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of multiple microcrystals in a microcrystalline scintillation glass in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a microcrystalline scintillation glass in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a microcrystalline scintillation glass array composed of microcrystalline scintillation optical fibers in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of multiple microcrystals in a microcrystal scintillation fiber in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a microcrystalline scintillation glass array in another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of a scintillator detector in one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a scintillator detector in another embodiment of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a scintillator detector in another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore detailed descriptions of them will be omitted. Furthermore, the drawings are merely illustrative of this disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0038] Although relative terms such as "up" and "down" are used in this specification to describe the relative relationship of one component of an icon to another, these terms are used only for convenience, such as according to the orientation of the examples shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that if the device of the icon is flipped upside down, the component described as "up" will become the component described as "down." When a structure is "up" of another structure, it may mean that the structure is integrally formed on the other structure, or that the structure is "directly" mounted on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" mounted on the other structure through another structure.

[0039] The terms “a,” “one,” “the,” “the,” and “at least one” are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms “including” and “having” are used to indicate an open-ended inclusion and to mean that there may be other elements / components / etc. in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.; the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used only as markers and are not a limitation on the number of objects.

[0040] Scintillators are materials that emit light after absorbing energy rays or particles. They can be used to detect neutrons and other energy particles. Detection and imaging technologies based on scintillators have been widely used in fields such as nuclear medicine, high-energy physics, space physics, industrial flaw detection, medical imaging, and security inspection.

[0041] In high-energy physics experiments, scintillator detectors are commonly used detectors. The principle is that when a radiating particle passes through a scintillator, the scintillator emits a light signal. This light signal can be captured by the scintillator detector and converted into an electrical signal. Then, by measuring and analyzing the electrical signal, radiation information can be obtained.

[0042] In related technologies, scintillator detectors are based on scintillator arrays and wave-shifting optical fibers arranged on the surface of the scintillator array. When a radiating particle passes through the scintillator, the scintillator emits a light signal, which is captured by the wave-shifting optical fiber and transmitted to a photoelectric converter coupled to the wave-shifting optical fiber. The photoelectric converter then converts the light signal into an electrical signal. Subsequently, the signal processing circuit inside the scintillator detector processes the electrical signal to obtain radiation information.

[0043] However, constructing a scintillator array using pure scintillators requires a large number of scintillators and is costly. In addition, scintillator arrays in related technologies need to be used in conjunction with wave-shifting optical fibers to transmit optical signals to photoelectric converters, which makes the structure of scintillator detectors in related technologies highly complex.

[0044] To address this issue, this disclosure provides a microcrystalline scintillation glass array and a scintillator detector. This reduces the amount of scintillator used in fabricating arrays that trap energy particles, resulting in lower costs. Furthermore, the microcrystalline scintillation glass array can directly transmit optical signals to a photoelectric converter, eliminating the need for wave-shifting fiber optics to assist in signal transmission. This allows for a simpler structure in the scintillator detector implemented using the microcrystalline scintillation glass array. Additionally, the high plasticity of glass allows for the miniaturization of the microcrystalline scintillation glass, enabling a higher density of microcrystalline scintillation glass within the array and thus improving the spatial resolution of the scintillator detector.

[0045] Furthermore, microcrystalline scintillation glass can be made larger in size, so that scintillator detectors based on this microcrystalline scintillation glass can be adapted to some special environments and detection requirements.

[0046] This disclosure provides a microcrystalline scintillation glass array, such as Figure 1 As shown, a microcrystalline scintillation glass array may include at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array 11. Each layer of the microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes multiple microcrystalline scintillation glasses, and each microcrystalline scintillation glass includes a glass substrate 111 and multiple microcrystals 112 encapsulated by the glass substrate. The fabrication process of the microcrystalline scintillation glass includes incorporating microcrystals into glass, and the material used to form each microcrystal includes a scintillator.

[0047] It should be noted that, Figure 1The example shown only depicts a single layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array. In reality, a single layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array can include one or more layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass arrays.

[0048] In the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure, the microcrystalline scintillation glass array is composed of microcrystalline scintillation glass, which includes a glass substrate and multiple microcrystals covered by the glass substrate. The material used to make the microcrystals includes a scintillator. Since microcrystalline scintillation glass is made of glass, its cost is significantly reduced compared to scintillation crystals made from crystals. Furthermore, glass growth technology is mature, and large-area, multi-type microcrystalline scintillation glass is easy to manufacture. Therefore, microcrystalline scintillation glass can have a large sensitive surface area. Scintillator detectors based on this microcrystalline scintillation glass can achieve direct detection over a large area without scanning, saving time and effort.

[0049] Furthermore, in microcrystalline scintillation glass, the glass coating of microcrystals provides a sealed environment for the microcrystals, making them less prone to deliquescence. Moreover, due to the protective effect of the glass, the application environment of microcrystalline scintillation glass is more extensive.

[0050] Furthermore, microcrystalline scintillation glass, which is made by integrating microcrystals into glass, is easier to shape than scintillation crystals, thus expanding the application scenarios of microcrystalline scintillation glass arrays.

[0051] Furthermore, by incorporating microcrystals into glass to create microcrystalline scintillation glass, it is easier to control the number and arrangement of the incorporated microcrystals, thereby controlling the sensitivity of the scintillator detector based on the scintillation glass array.

[0052] Furthermore, since the microcrystals are incorporated into the glass after fabrication, they can be fabricated in advance. The method of fabricating microcrystals separately in advance makes it easier to control the type of scintillator used to fabricate the microcrystals. Therefore, by controlling the scintillator used to fabricate the microcrystals, the scintillator detector based on the microcrystal scintillator glass array can detect a variety of energy particles, thus expanding the application scenarios of the scintillator detector based on the microcrystal scintillator glass array.

[0053] Due to the high plasticity of glass, the shape of microcrystalline scintillation glass can be made into various styles according to requirements. This disclosure does not limit the specific shape of the microcrystalline scintillation glass; it can be determined according to needs.

[0054] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass has a linear shape; or, the microcrystalline scintillation glass has a planar shape; or, the microcrystalline scintillation glass has a curved shape.

[0055] In one embodiment, the linear microcrystalline scintillation glass can be columnar, strip-shaped, or curved columnar.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 (1) and Figure 2 (2) shows a columnar microcrystalline scintillation glass. Figure 2 (3) shows a strip-shaped microcrystalline scintillation glass.

[0057] It should be noted that, Figure 2 The microcrystalline scintillating glass shown in (1) is in the shape of a square prism, and Figure 2 The shape of the microcrystalline scintillation glass shown in (2) is cylindrical, which is only an example. The shape of the microcrystalline scintillation glass can also be a pentagonal prism, a hexagonal prism or a prism with an irregular bottom, etc.

[0058] A curved microcrystalline scintillation glass can be like Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 In the diagram, 31 represents microcrystalline scintillation glass, 311 represents the glass matrix of the microcrystalline scintillation glass, and 312 represents microcrystalline glass.

[0059] In one embodiment, in at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, the microcrystalline scintillation glass in each layer of the microcrystalline scintillation glass array is arranged in the same direction.

[0060] In one embodiment, in at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, each layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes a plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses arranged closely together; or, in each layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, there is a gap between two adjacent microcrystalline scintillation glasses, and the size of the two different gaps may be the same or different, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0061] In one embodiment, in at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, the ends of any two microcrystalline scintillation glasses among the plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses included in each layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array are aligned with each other.

[0062] In one embodiment, in at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, each layer of scintillation glass array includes a plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses arranged closely together, and the ends of any two microcrystalline scintillation glasses among the plurality of scintillation glasses are aligned with each other.

[0063] In one embodiment, at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes multiple layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, with adjacent layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array arranged closely together; or, there is a gap between adjacent layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array.

[0064] In one embodiment, at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes two layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array arranged at a predetermined angle.

[0065] like Figure 4As shown, the arrangement direction of the microcrystalline scintillating glass in the microcrystalline scintillating glass array 411 is at a certain angle to the arrangement direction of the microcrystalline scintillating glass in the microcrystalline scintillating glass array 412. The size of this angle is a preset angle, and the specific value of the preset angle is not limited in this disclosure. By setting a certain preset angle in the arrangement of the microcrystalline scintillating glass in the two layers of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays, the scintillator detector based on the at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillating glass array 41 can better detect the coordinates of energy particles.

[0066] In one embodiment, the preset angle is 90 degrees. ° .

[0067] In one embodiment, at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes multiple layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, wherein the microcrystalline scintillation glass in each layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array is arranged in one direction, and the arrangement direction of the microcrystalline scintillation glass in any two layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array is at a predetermined angle.

[0068] For example, at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes three layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, wherein the predetermined angle between the microcrystalline scintillation glass in the first and second layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array is 60°. ° The predetermined angle between the microcrystalline scintillation glass in the first and third layers of the microcrystalline scintillation glass array is 60°. ° The predetermined angle between the microcrystalline scintillation glass in the second and third layers of the microcrystalline scintillation glass array is also 60°. ° .

[0069] In one embodiment, the glass substrate in the microcrystalline scintillation glass provides a sealed environment and structural support for the multiple microcrystals within it; the microcrystals serve as light-emitting centers. Since the material used to fabricate the microcrystals includes a scintillator, the scintillator within the microcrystal can emit light upon receiving energy particles. By directly integrating the microcrystals into the glass to fabricate the microcrystalline scintillation glass, the number and position of the microcrystals can be controlled, and the size of the microcrystals and the scintillator used to fabricate them can be more easily controlled, thereby allowing for better control of the sensitivity of the scintillator detector implemented based on this microcrystalline scintillation glass.

[0070] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass comprises a plurality of microcrystals uniformly distributed in a glass substrate, and the number of the plurality of microcrystals is a preset number, so that the scintillator detector based on the microcrystalline scintillation glass array has a preset sensitivity. This disclosure does not limit the specific values ​​of the preset number and the preset sensitivity, and they can be determined as needed.

[0071] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass comprises a plurality of microcrystals distributed within a predetermined range of the microcrystalline scintillation glass, so as to better control the sensitivity of the scintillator detector implemented based on the microcrystalline scintillation glass.

[0072] For example, microcrystalline scintillation glass can be like Figure 5 As shown, the microcrystalline scintillation glass can be divided into an inner layer 51 and an outer layer 52. Figure 5 53 in the text refers to microcrystals. For example... Figure 5 As shown in (1), multiple microcrystals can be evenly distributed in the inner layer 51 of the microcrystalline scintillating glass, such as... Figure 5 As shown in (2), multiple microcrystals can also be evenly distributed in the outer layer 52. For example, the cross-section of the microcrystalline scintillating glass can be as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the scintillating glass can be divided into an inner layer 61, a middle layer 62, and an outer layer 63. Figure 6 64 in the text refers to microcrystals. For example... Figure 6 As shown in (1), multiple microcrystals can be evenly distributed in the inner layer 61 of the microcrystalline scintillating glass. Figure 6 As shown in (2), multiple microcrystals can also be evenly distributed in the middle layer 62. Figure 6 As shown in (3), multiple microcrystals can also be evenly distributed in the outer layer 63.

[0073] This disclosure does not limit the specific range of the preset range in the flashing glass.

[0074] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass comprises a plurality of microcrystals uniformly distributed within a predetermined range of the microcrystalline scintillation glass.

[0075] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillation glass can be a microcrystalline scintillation fiber. For example, an array of microcrystalline scintillation glass composed of microcrystalline scintillation fibers can be as follows: Figure 7 As shown. It should be noted that, Figure 7 The image only shows an array consisting of two layers of microcrystalline scintillation fiber. Depending on the actual needs, at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array may include two or more layers or one layer of array consisting of microcrystalline scintillation fiber.

[0076] When the microcrystalline scintillation glass is a microcrystalline scintillation fiber, the multiple microcrystals included in the microcrystalline scintillation fiber can be distributed in the core of the microcrystalline scintillation fiber, or they can be distributed in the cladding of the microcrystalline scintillation fiber, or they can be distributed in both the core and the cladding. This disclosure does not impose any limitations on this. Figure 8 As shown in (1), multiple microcrystals are distributed in the core 81 of the microcrystalline scintillation fiber; as Figure 8 As shown in (2), multiple microcrystals are distributed in the cladding 82 of the microcrystal scintillation fiber. Figure 7 As shown in (3), multiple microcrystals are distributed in the core 81 and cladding 82 of the microcrystal scintillation fiber. Figure 8 In the middle, 83 is microcrystalline.

[0077] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillating fiber has a multi-layer cladding to enable the microcrystalline scintillating fiber to have a light transmission efficiency greater than a preset value. By providing the multi-layer cladding, the microcrystalline scintillating fiber can better transmit optical signals, reduce the attenuation rate of the optical signals, and is conducive to improving the light transmission efficiency.

[0078] It should be noted that the preset value is the value that can be achieved only by increasing the light transmission efficiency of the microcrystalline scintillating fiber after adding the cladding. Regarding the number and material of the multi-layer cladding, the present disclosure does not make any restrictions, and it can be determined according to the preset value, cost, and application requirements of the microcrystalline scintillating fiber.

[0079] The microcrystalline scintillating fiber can be made into a slender linear shape with a smaller cross-section, so that the array composed of the microcrystalline scintillating fibers can be arranged more closely, thereby improving the spatial resolution of the scintillator detector based on the microcrystalline scintillating fiber. For example, the scintillator detector can be used in a neutron imaging system.

[0080] In one embodiment, the microcrystalline scintillating glass is coated with a reflective film. By coating the microcrystalline scintillating glass with a reflective film, the microcrystalline scintillating glass can better transmit optical signals, reduce the attenuation of the optical signals during transmission in the microcrystalline scintillating glass, and thus improve the sensitivity of the scintillator detector implemented according to the microcrystalline scintillating glass.

[0081] The present disclosure does not limit the material of the reflective film. In one embodiment, the reflective film coated on the microcrystalline scintillating glass can be an aluminum film; alternatively, the reflective film coated on the microcrystalline scintillating glass can also be a silver film, or the reflective film is made of other materials and can reflect light.

[0082] In one embodiment, the material for forming a microcrystal includes a scintillator; alternatively, the material for forming a microcrystal includes multiple scintillators; or the material for forming a microcrystal can be one or more scintillators doped with other elements.

[0083] For the case where the material for forming a microcrystal includes a single scintillator, the multiple microcrystals included in the microcrystalline scintillating glass can correspond to multiple scintillators. For example, the material for forming n microcrystals includes m scintillators, where 0 < m ≤ n, and both n and m are integers.

[0084] For example, the materials for making microcrystals can include, but are not limited to, the following scintillators: lanthanum bromide LaBr3(Ce), sodium iodide NaI(Tl, Li) and other halides doped with other ions, bismuth germanate Bi4Ge3O 12 and oxides such as cadmium tungstate CdWO4, and fluorides such as barium fluoride BaF2.

[0085] By using different types of scintillators, it is possible to mix high-yield scintillators with low-yield scintillators, as well as to mix scintillators that detect particles of different energies. This can improve the light yield of the microcrystalline scintillator glass while avoiding excessive cost increases, and expand the detection capabilities of the scintillator detector based on the microcrystalline scintillator glass array.

[0086] In one embodiment, the glass substrate is made of glass. For example, the material used to make the glass substrate can be silicate glass, tellurite glass, borate glass, or other glass systems.

[0087] Compared to plastic materials, the glass substrate in a microcrystalline scintillation glass array has better radiation resistance and can be used in high-irradiation environments. For example, a scintillator detector based on this microcrystalline scintillation glass can be used for neutron beam flux monitoring.

[0088] In one embodiment, at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes a layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, which includes a plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses arranged in one direction, and the plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses can be arranged vertically within a preset shape and area.

[0089] In one embodiment, at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array includes a layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, which includes a plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses arranged in one direction. The plurality of microcrystalline scintillation glasses can be uniformly arranged vertically within a preset shape and area.

[0090] This disclosure does not limit the specific shape of the preset shape. For example, the preset shape may be a rectangle, a circle, or a pentagon. Similarly, this disclosure does not limit the specific value of the preset area.

[0091] Taking a rectangular shape as an example, a microcrystalline scintillation glass array can be used as follows: Figure 9 As shown, 91 is a preset rectangle, 92 is a vertically arranged microcrystalline scintillation glass, and 93 is a microcrystal within the microcrystalline scintillation glass. It should be noted that... Figure 9 The rectangular cross-section of the microcrystalline scintillation glass is merely illustrative.

[0092] This disclosure provides a scintillator detector, which includes a microcrystalline scintillating glass array as described in any of the above embodiments; a photoelectric converter for converting the optical signal output by the microcrystalline scintillating glass array into an electrical signal; and a signal processing device for processing the electrical signal to obtain radiation information.

[0093] In one embodiment, the photoelectric converter is coupled to the microcrystalline scintillation glass array via air or a light-conducting material.

[0094] Taking at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array as an example, a scintillator detector can be as follows: Figure 10 As shown in the diagram, 1001 is a microcrystalline scintillation glass, 1002 is a photoelectric converter, and 1003 is a microcrystal. When energy particles are captured by the microcrystal in the microcrystalline scintillation glass, the microcrystal emits a light signal. This light signal is transmitted by the microcrystalline scintillation glass to the photoelectric converter, which converts the light signal into an electrical signal. The signal processing device then processes the electrical signal to obtain the radiation information. It should be noted that... Figure 10 The signal processing device is not shown in the drawing.

[0095] Taking at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array as an example, where the microcrystalline scintillation glass in the array is arranged vertically, the scintillator detector can be as follows: Figure 11 As shown in the diagram. 1101 is a microcrystalline scintillation glass, 1102 is a photoelectric converter, and 1103 is a microcrystalline structure. It should be noted that... Figure 11 The shape of the mesocrystalline scintillation glass as a square prism is merely exemplary. It should be noted that... Figure 11 The signal processing device is not shown in the drawing.

[0096] Taking at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, including two layers of microcrystalline scintillation glass array, as an example, a scintillator detector can be as follows: Figure 12 As shown. Figure 12 In the diagram, 1201 is a microcrystalline scintillation glass, 1202 is a photoelectric converter, and 1203 is a microcrystalline structure. It should be noted that... Figure 12 The signal processing device is not shown in the drawing.

[0097] This disclosure does not limit the specific type of photoelectric converter. For example, the photoelectric converter may be a SiPM (Silicon Photomultiplier); or a PMT (Photomultiplier Tube); or an FPMT (Fast Photomultiplier Tube).

[0098] Because microcrystalline scintillation glass arrays can directly transmit optical signals to photoelectric converters, the use of wave-shifting fibers for signal transmission is avoided, allowing scintillator detectors based on microcrystalline scintillation glass arrays to have a simpler structure. Due to the high plasticity of glass, microcrystalline scintillation glass can be made smaller in size, resulting in a higher density of microcrystalline scintillation glass in the array. Therefore, scintillator detectors using microcrystalline scintillation glass arrays can achieve higher spatial resolution.

[0099] Furthermore, microcrystals have a larger surface area than large crystals, making it easier to capture energy particles and thus improving the sensitivity of scintillator detectors. Because microcrystals are smaller than large crystals, photons travel through them to the photoelectric converter in a shorter time, allowing for faster conversion of optical signals into electrical signals and further improving the temporal resolution of the scintillator detector.

[0100] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A microcrystalline scintillation glass array, characterized in that, Comprising: At least one layer of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays, each layer of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays comprising a plurality of microcrystalline scintillating glasses, each microcrystalline scintillating glass comprising a glass matrix and a plurality of microcrystals coated by the glass matrix; wherein, the material for making one microcrystal comprises a scintillator, and the material for making n microcrystals comprises m scintillators, where 0 < m ≤ n, and both n and m are integers, and the scintillator comprises a scintillator with a high light yield and a scintillator with a low light yield; The plurality of microcrystals are uniformly distributed in the glass matrix, and the number of the plurality of microcrystals is a preset number, so that the scintillator detector based on the microcrystalline scintillating glass array has a preset sensitivity; In at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays, the two ends of any two microcrystalline scintillating glasses in each layer of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays are aligned with each other; Wherein, the preparation process of the microcrystalline scintillating glass comprises incorporating microcrystals into the glass, and the material for making each microcrystal comprises a scintillator.

2. The microcrystalline scintillation glass array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer shape type of the microcrystalline scintillating glass is linear; Or, the outer shape type of the microcrystalline scintillating glass is planar; Or, the outer shape type of the microcrystalline scintillating glass is curved; 3. The microcrystalline scintillation glass array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcrystalline scintillating glasses comprised in each layer of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays are arranged in the same direction.

4. The microcrystalline scintillation glass array according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one layer of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays comprises two layers of microcrystalline scintillating glass arrays with a preset angle between the arrangement directions of the microcrystalline scintillating glasses.

5. The microcrystalline scintillation glass array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcrystalline scintillating glass is a microcrystalline scintillating optical fiber.

6. The microcrystalline scintillation glass array according to claim 1, characterized in that, The microcrystalline scintillating glass is coated with a reflective film.

7. The microcrystalline scintillation glass array according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The material for making one microcrystal comprises multiple scintillators.

8. A scintillator detector, characterized in that, Comprising: The microcrystalline scintillating glass array according to any one of claims 1 - 7; An optoelectronic converter, configured to convert the optical signal output by the microcrystalline scintillating glass array into an electrical signal; A signal processing device, configured to process the electrical signal to obtain radiation information.

9. The scintillator detector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The optoelectronic converter and the microcrystalline scintillating glass array are coupled through air or an optical guiding material.

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