An automated afterglow testing system for an area array scintillator

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic afterglow test system of area array scintillator, including support frame, lead case, ray source, lifting platform, detector and host computer, lead case is located on the support frame, and the inside both sides of lead case are equipped with ray source support, and the ray source is equipped on the ray source support, and the lifting platform is located in the lead case, and is located ray source directly below, and the detector is equipped on the lifting platform, and the detector includes detector shell, read board and core board, and the read board and core board are arranged in parallel in the detector shell, and the read board is equipped with photoelectric detector array, and the support frame is equipped with the control module for controlling ray source, lifting platform and detector, and the host computer is connected with control module through data line, the automatic afterglow test system of area array scintillator of the present application, through the integration photoelectric detector array on the read board, realizes the test array's while guaranteeing higher spatial resolution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of scintillator performance testing technology, and specifically relates to an automated afterglow testing system for area array scintillators. Background Technology

[0002] A scintillator is a general term for a class of materials that emit light when excited by ionizing radiation (such as X-rays, gamma rays, alpha rays, beta rays, neutrons, etc.). The presence of scintillators converts invisible high-energy rays into low-energy photons (such as visible light, ultraviolet light, etc.), facilitating detection and observation. Scintillators are now widely used in various fields, such as national defense and security, radiation detection, astronomical research, medical imaging, and industrial flaw detection.

[0003] Theoretically, a scintillator emits light when exposed to X-ray radiation, and the emission stops when the X-ray source is turned off. In practice, however, a delay in emission is often observed; the scintillator continues to emit light even after the X-ray source is switched off. This continuous emission can last for a considerable period, typically from 10⁻³ seconds to several days. This phenomenon is called afterglow. Afterglow is essentially a delayed recombination process of stimulated carriers (electrons or holes) within the scintillator, and its core is related to defect energy levels (traps) in the material. In rapid detection (such as high-energy particle collision experiments) or dynamic imaging (such as high-speed CT), this afterglow can cause signal superposition, blurring images or misinterpreting particle timing information. Therefore, afterglow performance is one of the key indicators for evaluating the quality and applicability of a scintillator.

[0004] Current equipment for testing the afterglow performance of scintillators has several limitations. Structurally, existing single-point photomultiplier tube (PMT) testing equipment is relatively limited in function and cannot test arrays. Although Hamamatsu has PMT arrays, their spatial resolution is at the centimeter level, which cannot meet the millimeter / submillimeter pixel testing requirements of CT scintillators, nor can they adapt to scintillators of different shapes, sizes, and materials. Furthermore, they struggle to comprehensively and accurately evaluate the afterglow characteristics of various types of scintillators, limiting the versatility and comparability of test results. In practical operation, traditional testing methods typically rely heavily on manual operation, which is not only inefficient but also prone to introducing human error, affecting the accuracy and reliability of test results. Moreover, existing equipment struggles to meet the ever-increasing demands of scientific research and applications in terms of testing accuracy and speed. Utility Model Content

[0005] Purpose of the utility model: In order to overcome the above shortcomings, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automated afterglow testing system for area array scintillators. By integrating a photodetector array on the read board, the scintillator is placed above the read board of the detector for testing, which realizes the testing array while ensuring high spatial resolution. In addition, the design of the electromagnet and proximity switch in conjunction with the protective door ensures that the test will only start when the protective door is closed, ensuring that the testing process will not be affected and improving the accuracy of the test.

[0006] Technical Solution: To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides an automated afterglow testing system for an area array scintillator, comprising a support frame, a lead box, an X-ray source, a lifting platform, a detector, and a host computer; the lead box is mounted on the support frame; X-ray source supports are provided on both sides inside the lead box; the X-ray source is mounted on the X-ray source supports; the lifting platform is located inside the lead box and directly below the X-ray source; the detector is mounted on the lifting platform; the detector includes a detector housing, a read board, and a core board; the read board and core board are arranged side by side inside the detector housing; a photodetector array is provided on the read board; a control module for controlling the X-ray source, the lifting platform, and the detector is provided on the support frame; the control module can receive data from the core board and forward it; the host computer is connected to the control module via a data cable. The lead box provides excellent protection for the entire detection system, effectively shielding it from external radiation interference and preventing internal radiation leakage, thus ensuring operator safety. The lifting platform can be adjusted to change the detector height as needed, adapting to samples or experimental requirements of different heights. The photodetector array on the read board achieves both testing array functionality and high spatial resolution, meeting the requirements of high-precision experiments. The host computer connects to the control module via a data cable, enabling centralized control of the entire detection system. Operators can easily set detection parameters, control the lifting platform, and read detection data through the host computer, improving operational convenience and efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, the lead box is equipped with a protective door on the front. The protective door ensures a rapid response to the opening and closing of the lead box, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0008] Furthermore, an electromagnet and a proximity switch are sequentially installed from top to bottom at the closing point of the protective door on the lead box. The electromagnet and proximity switch ensure the stable closing of the protective door; at the same time, the test is only performed when the door is closed, ensuring the reliability of the test results.

[0009] Furthermore, the photodetector array is integrated onto the read board via soldering. This soldering integration allows for precise alignment between the photodetector array and the read board, ensuring accurate signal reading from each detector unit, thereby improving the system's resolution and accuracy.

[0010] Furthermore, the radiation source includes a power supply and an X-ray tube arranged side by side; the light source of the X-ray tube is located directly above the lifting platform. The power supply provides a stable power supply to the X-ray tube, and the X-ray tube provides a stable supply of X-rays for the test, both ensuring the smooth progress of the test.

[0011] Furthermore, an emergency stop switch is installed on the outside of the lead box. The emergency stop switch automatically stops all operations in the event of a system malfunction, reducing potential losses.

[0012] Furthermore, an indicator light is provided next to the emergency stop switch. The indicator light provides real-time feedback on the status of the emergency stop switch, allowing operators to quickly confirm its status without manually checking whether it has been pressed, thus improving operational efficiency.

[0013] As can be seen from the above technical solution, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. This utility model provides an automated afterglow testing system for area array scintillators, which integrates a photodetector array on a read board to achieve testing of the array while ensuring high spatial resolution. 2. This utility model provides an automated afterglow testing system for area array scintillators. The design of the electromagnet and proximity switch, along with the protective door, ensures that the test will only begin when the protective door is closed, thus guaranteeing that the testing process will not be affected and improving the accuracy of the test. 3. The present invention provides an automated afterglow testing system for a scintillator array, which can automatically perform the testing process of two-dimensional scintillator array afterglow, greatly improving the testing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automated afterglow testing system for an area scintillator according to the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the detector structure in an automated afterglow testing system for an area scintillator according to the present invention; In the picture: 1-Support frame; 11-Control module; 2-Lead box; 21-Radiation source bracket; 22-Protective door; 23-Electromagnet; 24-Proximity switch; 25-Emergency stop switch; 26-Indicator light; 3-X-ray source; 31-Power supply; 32-X-ray machine tube; 4-Lifting platform; 5 - Detector; 51 - Detector housing; 52 - Read board; 53 - Core board; 521 - Photodetector array; 6-Host computer. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model. Example

[0016] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 This utility model discloses an automated afterglow testing system for an area scintillator, including a support frame 1, a lead box 2, an X-ray source 3, a lifting platform 4, a detector 5, and a host computer 6. The lead box 2 is mounted on the support frame 1. X-ray source supports 21 are provided on both sides inside the lead box 2. The X-ray source 3 is mounted on the X-ray source supports 21. The lifting platform 4 is located inside the lead box 2 and directly below the X-ray source 3. The detector 5 is mounted on the lifting platform 4. The detector 5 includes a detector housing 51, a read board 52, and a core board 53. The read board 52 and the core board 53 are arranged side by side inside the detector housing 51. The read board 52 is provided with a photodetector array 521. The support frame 1 is provided with a control module 11 for controlling the X-ray source 3, the lifting platform 4, and the detector 5. The control module 11 can receive data from the core board 53 and forward it. The host computer 6 is connected to the control module 11 via a data cable.

[0017] Specifically, lead box 2 is made of thick lead plate to shield the radiation generated by radiation source 3, protecting the operators and the surrounding environment.

[0018] Specifically, the host computer 6 uses a computer system and installs dedicated testing software to control the entire testing process and data processing. The host computer 6 is connected to the control module 11 via a data cable to realize remote control of the X-ray source 3, the lifting platform 4 and the detector 5, and receives the data from the detector 5 forwarded by the control module 11, analyzes and processes the afterglow test data, and generates a test report.

[0019] In particular, in addition to scintillator afterglow data, by changing the configuration of X-ray source 3, it is also possible to test the relative light output of the scintillator, scintillator pixel crosstalk, scintillator short-term radiation lifetime, scintillator long-term radiation lifetime, linearity, sensitivity and other IQ tests.

[0020] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 The lead box 2 is provided with a protective door 22 on the front.

[0021] Specifically, electromagnetic protective door is preferred for protective door 22.

[0022] In this embodiment, as Figure 1An electromagnet 23 and a proximity switch 24 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom at the closing point of the protective door 22 on the lead box 2.

[0023] Specifically, after the protective door 22 is closed, the electromagnet 23 is energized and attracted. The proximity switch 24 senses the protective door 22 and determines that the door is closed, and then the operation begins.

[0024] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The photodetector array 521 is integrated onto the read board 52 by welding.

[0025] Specifically, the power supply 31 receives control signals from the control module 11 to adjust the operating parameters of the X-ray machine tube, such as voltage and current.

[0026] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 The X-ray source 3 includes a power supply 31 and an X-ray tube 32 arranged in parallel; the light source of the X-ray tube 32 is located directly above the lifting platform 4.

[0027] Specifically, a high-voltage power inverter is preferred for power supply 31.

[0028] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 An emergency stop switch 25 is provided on the outside of the lead box 2.

[0029] Specifically, when a problem occurs during the test, pressing the emergency stop switch 25 will send an emergency stop signal to the control module 11. The control module 11 is responsible for receiving the emergency stop signal and executing the emergency stop operation.

[0030] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 An indicator light 26 is provided on the side of the emergency stop switch 25.

[0031] Specifically, indicator light 26 is preferably a tri-color indicator light.

[0032] The working principle of the above embodiments is as follows: This utility model discloses an automated afterglow testing system for area array scintillators. During testing, if... Figure 1 The scintillator to be tested is placed on the photodetector array 521 in the read plate 52 of the detector 5. The protective door 22 is closed, the electromagnet 23 is energized and attracted, and the proximity switch 24 detects the protective door 22 and determines that the door is closed, so that the operation can begin. The read board 52 on detector 5 acquires dark field image data before the start of the bright field; the host computer 6 drives the X-ray tube 32 to perform the exposure operation; the read board 52 on detector 5 acquires bright field image data; the X-ray tube 32 light source is turned off, and the read board 52 on detector 5 acquires dark field image data after the end of the bright field; the above data is transmitted from the core board 53 of detector 5 to the control module 11, and then forwarded by the control module 11 to the host computer 6 for analysis; by calculating the afterglow of each pixel, the afterglow curve of all pixels is finally generated.

[0033] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements can be made without departing from the principle of the present utility model, and these improvements should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An automated afterglow testing system for an area scintillator, characterized in that: include: Support frame (1) and lead box (2), wherein the lead box (2) is mounted on the support frame (1); The lead box (2) has radiation source brackets (21) on both sides inside. A radiation source (3) is mounted on a radiation source support (21); The lifting platform (4) is located inside the lead box (2) and directly below the radiation source (3); Detector (5), which is mounted on the lifting platform (4); The detector (5) includes a detector housing (51), a read board (52), and a core board (53); the read board (52) and the core board (53) are arranged side by side inside the detector housing (51); The read board (52) is provided with a photodetector array (521); The support frame (1) is equipped with a control module (11) for controlling the radiation source (3), the lifting platform (4) and the detector (5); the control module (11) can receive data from the core board (53) and forward it. The host computer (6) is connected to the control module (11) via a data cable.

2. The automated afterglow testing system for area scintillators according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lead box (2) has a protective door (22) on the front.

3. The automated afterglow testing system for area scintillators according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lead box (2) is equipped with an electromagnet (23) and a proximity switch (24) at the closing point of the protective door (22) from top to bottom.

4. The automated afterglow testing system for area scintillators according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photodetector array (521) is integrated onto the read board (52) by welding.

5. The automated afterglow testing system for area scintillators according to claim 1, characterized in that: The X-ray source (3) includes a power supply (31) and an X-ray tube (32) arranged in parallel; the light source of the X-ray tube (32) is located directly above the lifting platform (4).

6. The automated afterglow testing system for area scintillators according to claim 1, characterized in that: An emergency stop switch (25) is provided on the outside of the lead box (2).

7. The automated afterglow testing system for area scintillators according to claim 6, characterized in that: An indicator light (26) is provided next to the emergency stop switch (25).

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