X-Ray Detector With Conductor-Based Scintillator Afterglow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray detectors suffer from afterglow, which persists for several seconds to tens of seconds after X-ray irradiation, hindering high-speed image acquisition in dynamic X-ray detectors.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray detector design that includes a conductor adjacent to the scintillator, which can be grounded or connected to a power source, facilitating rapid return of excited electrons to a ground state and thus eliminating afterglow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the temperature of the X-ray detector is raised to minimize afterglow, then afterglow is reduced, but temperature-dependent variations in leakage current and threshold voltage occur in internal semiconductor devices
Solution Approach 1:
A conductor layer is introduced as an intermediary between the scintillator and the detection panel. This conductor layer facilitates the rapid extraction of excited electrons from the scintillator, enabling afterglow elimination without temperature elevation, thereby avoiding the adverse effects on semiconductor devices while achieving the desired reduction in afterglow
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal method (heating) is replaced with an electrical field-based method. Instead of using thermal energy to excite electrons back to ground state, an electrical field is applied through the conductor layer to directly extract excited electrons, eliminating the need for temperature-dependent operations and their associated side effects
2Object-generated harmful factors
If preheating is used to eliminate afterglow, then afterglow is reduced, but a preheating time of several minutes to tens of minutes is required, resulting in user inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor layer is pre-positioned between the scintillator and detection panel, creating a ready-made electron extraction pathway. When X-ray irradiation stops, the conductor layer immediately begins extracting excited electrons without requiring any preheating or waiting period, enabling rapid afterglow elimination and high-speed sequential imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The slow thermal diffusion process is replaced with rapid electron drift in an electrical field. The conductor layer provides a direct electrical pathway for electron extraction, reducing the afterglow elimination time from minutes to seconds, thereby enabling high frames per second operation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If continuous operation is used to preheat the detector, then afterglow is minimized, but adverse effects on image quality occur due to temperature-dependent variations in leakage current and threshold voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor layer acts as an intermediary that provides a controlled electrical field for electron extraction. This intermediary mechanism allows afterglow elimination through electrical field action rather than uncontrolled thermal heating, maintaining stable operating conditions for the semiconductor devices and preserving image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes the physical parameter used for afterglow elimination from temperature to electrical field strength. By controlling the electrical field through the conductor layer, afterglow is eliminated while keeping the temperature and other critical parameters within optimal ranges for high-quality imaging
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 conductor enables rapid elimination of afterglow, enhancing the capability of X-ray detectors for high-speed image acquisition without the need for temperature elevation, thereby improving image quality and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an X-ray scintillator converting X-rays into visible light and a detection panel detecting visible light generated by the x-ray scintillator. The detection panel includes a photoelectric conversion device, such as a photodiode
Implementation Method 2
an X-ray scintillator converting X-rays into visible light. When X-rays incident on the scintillator have high energy or when the scintillator is irradiated with X rays for a prolonged period of time, afterglow, that is, sustained emission of light from the scintillator, persists
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray detector is disclosed. The X-ray detector includes: an X-ray detection panel; an X-ray scintillator disposed on the X-ray detection panel; and a conductor disposed adjacent to the X-ray scintillator, wherein the conductor includes at least one of a first conductor disposed between the X-ray detection panel and the X-ray scintillator and a second conductor disposed on the X-ray scintillator.