Imaging Detector Lens for Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging systems face issues with optical and electrical cross-talk between closely positioned photosensors, leading to system noise and lower image quality due to the close proximity of photosensors in known detector arrays.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lens between the scintillator pixel and the photosensor pixel to converge light emitted from the scintillator towards the photosensor, reducing the cross-sectional size of the light beam and minimizing cross-talk, while allowing the photosensor pixel to be smaller than the scintillator pixel, thereby reducing capacitance and system noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If photosensors are closely positioned together to increase detection density, then productivity is improved, but optical and electrical cross-talk between neighboring photosensors increases causing system noise
Solution Approach 1:
An optical element (lens or microlens) is introduced as an intermediary component between the scintillator and photosensor array. This optical element redirects light paths to ensure that light from a given scintillator pixel is directed primarily to the corresponding photosensor pixel, thereby reducing optical cross-talk between adjacent photosensors while maintaining close positioning for high detection density.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector is segmented into discrete pixel elements with dedicated optical paths. Each scintillator pixel is optically coupled to its corresponding photosensor pixel through individual optical elements, creating isolated detection channels that minimize electrical and optical cross-talk between neighboring elements while maintaining high spatial resolution.
2Productivity
If photosensor pixel size is reduced to increase array density, then productivity is improved, but capacitance increases causing higher system noise
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is designed with specific geometric parameters (focal length, aperture size, curvature) that are optimized to concentrate light from each scintillator pixel onto the corresponding photosensor pixel. This parameter optimization ensures efficient light coupling to smaller photosensor pixels, maintaining signal strength while reducing capacitance through smaller pixel dimensions, thereby reducing system noise.
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
This configuration results in reduced system noise and improved image quality by minimizing optical and electrical cross-talk between neighboring photosensors, allowing for better image detection and processing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A lens is positioned between the scintillator pixel and the photosensor pixel for directing light emitted from the scintillator to the photosensor pixel. The lens is configured to converge light emitted from the scintillator pixel toward the photosensor pixel.
Implementation Method 2
a photosensor that defines a photosensor pixel that is configured to absorb light emitted by the scintillator pixel
Implementation Method 3
The scintillator receives energy emitted by the source that has traveled through the object and emits light in response thereto
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging detector includes a scintillator having a scintillator pixel that is configured to emit light. The detector also includes a photosensor that defines a photosensor pixel that is configured to absorb light emitted by the scintillator pixel. A lens is positioned between the scintillator pixel and the photosensor pixel for directing light emitted from the scintillator to the photosensor pixel. The lens is configured to converge light emitted from the scintillator pixel toward the photosensor pixel.