Capillary Array With Low Refractive Index Layer for Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid scintillator fiber optical panels face challenges such as low spatial resolution, low numerical aperture, and low coupling efficiency due to light crosstalk and limitations in refractive index matching between capillaries and liquid scintillators.
Innovation Solution
A capillary array is designed with low refractive index layers on the inner walls of capillaries and light absorption layers between adjacent capillaries, along with a specific glass material selection and thermal expansion coefficient control to enhance aperture uniformity and coupling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If absorption fibers are inserted between adjacent capillaries to reduce light crosstalk, then light crosstalk is reduced, but spatial resolution still decreases due to residual light penetration
Solution Approach 1:
A light absorption layer made of light-absorbing glass is introduced as an intermediary substance between adjacent capillaries. This layer effectively absorbs residual light that penetrates through the capillary walls, preventing it from reaching adjacent capillaries and causing crosstalk, thereby improving spatial resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structure where light-absorbing glass is combined with the capillary glass material. The light absorption layer is formed by filling gaps between capillaries with light-absorbing glass, creating a composite structure that simultaneously maintains capillary integrity and eliminates light crosstalk
2Strength
If capillary glass with higher refractive index is used to ensure structural integrity, then capillary strength is improved, but numerical aperture decreases due to small refractive index difference with liquid scintillator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different refractive index characteristics to different parts of the system: capillary glass maintains higher refractive index for structural strength, while the liquid scintillator fills the capillaries to provide the necessary optical properties. The interface between these materials is optimized to achieve both strength and numerical aperture requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter by selecting capillary glass with refractive index between 1.46-1.55 and liquid scintillator with refractive index between 1.5-1.8, creating an optimized refractive index difference that balances structural integrity with optical performance for high numerical aperture
3Ease of manufacture
If circular capillaries are used for ease of manufacturing, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but coupling efficiency decreases due to mismatch with square pixels of photosensitive elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the symmetric circular capillary cross-section into an asymmetric square cross-section to match the pixel geometry of CCD or CMOS sensors. This geometric transformation enables one-to-one correspondence between capillary output and pixel area, maximizing coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the curved circular cross-section with a square cross-section, changing the geometric shape to better match the rectangular pixel structure of photosensitive elements, thereby improving light coupling efficiency
4Measurement precision
If low refractive index glass is used for capillaries to match liquid scintillator refractive index, then numerical aperture is improved, but glass material selection is limited due to scarcity of low refractive index glass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the refractive index parameter by selecting capillary glass with refractive index between 1.46-1.55, which provides a balanced refractive index difference with liquid scintillator (1.5-1.8). This parameter selection achieves high numerical aperture while maintaining adequate material availability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material approach where capillary glass with moderate refractive index (1.46-1.55) is combined with liquid scintillator of higher refractive index (1.5-1.8). This composite structure creates an optimized optical interface that balances numerical aperture with material availability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The capillary array achieves improved spatial resolution, higher numerical aperture, and enhanced coupling efficiency with photosensitive elements, while simplifying the preparation process and expanding the selection range of glass materials.
Implementation Method 1
part of the visible fluorescence undergoes total reflection on an inner wall of a capillary, is transferred from an emitting end of the liquid scintillator fiber optical panel
Implementation Method 2
a light absorption layer of a second glass material is disposed between any two adjacent capillaries
Implementation Method 3
fast neutrons bombard hydrogen nuclei in the liquid scintillator, and stimulate the liquid scintillator to emit visible fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
A capillary array includes a capillary region, including capillaries of a first glass, which are disposed in an axis-parallel manner. A low refractive index layer is disposed on an inner wall of each of the capillaries, the refractive index of each low refractive index layer being less than a refractive index of a liquid scintillator. A second glass material is disposed between adjacent capillaries. A softening point of the first glass is T1, a softening point of second glass is T2, and a value of T1 minus T2 is in a range from 30° C. to 50° C. A thermal expansion coefficient of the first glass is α1. An edge covering region is disposed on an outer side of the capillary region and makes contact with an outer side face of the capillary region, wherein a material of the edge covering region is a third glass.