Laser-Formed Scattering in Radiation Detector Segments

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation detectors face challenges in ease of manufacturing, high accuracy, and ease of mounting on apparatuses like PET devices, particularly in specifying the segment where scintillation light is generated due to complex light scattering structures and limited optical separation.

Innovation Solution

The radiation detector incorporates a first and second scintillator portion with laser-formed light scattering portions and a light detection unit optically connected to specific surfaces, allowing for easy manufacturing, high accuracy, and efficient optical separation, with a light guide portion enhancing the passage of scintillation light between segments for improved discrimination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple scintillator blocks are joined together with light scattering members interposed, then optical separation between segments is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and dimensional accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment discrimination accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the light scattering function from separate light scattering members and integrates it directly into the scintillator blocks by forming light scattering portions within the scintillator material itself through laser irradiation. This eliminates the need for separate light scattering members and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining optical separation between segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the light scattering function with the scintillator blocks by forming light scattering portions directly within the scintillator material. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure, achieving both optical separation and manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple scintillator blocks are joined together with light scattering members interposed, then optical separation between segments is achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment discrimination accuracyVSAvoiddimensional accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the light scattering function from separate light scattering members and integrates it directly into the scintillator blocks by forming light scattering portions within the scintillator material itself through laser irradiation. This eliminates the need for separate light scattering members and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining optical separation between segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical joining of multiple scintillator blocks with separate light scattering members with a monolithic scintillator structure where light scattering portions are formed internally through laser irradiation. This substitution eliminates mechanical assembly errors and improves dimensional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If light detection unit is connected to multiple surfaces, then optical separation between segments is improved, but manufacturing and mounting ease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment discrimination accuracyVSAvoidease of manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating light scattering portions at specific locations within the scintillator blocks (at the boundaries between segments) rather than uniformly throughout. This localized approach maintains optical separation where needed while keeping the rest of the structure simple for easy manufacturing and mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the light scattering function from separate light scattering members and integrates it directly into the scintillator blocks by forming light scattering portions within the scintillator material itself through laser irradiation. This eliminates the need for separate light scattering members and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining optical separation between segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 simplifies manufacturing and mounting while enhancing the accuracy of segment discrimination, reducing the number of outputs required and improving the separation characteristics between segments, thereby improving the overall performance of the radiation detector.

Implementation Method 1

a first light scattering portion formed between the first segments adjacent to each other through laser irradiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

first light scattering portion formed between the first segments adjacent to each other through laser irradiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a radiation detector includes: a first scintillator portion including a plurality of first segments arranged along a predetermined direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Data Source

PatentUS9804277B2Radiation detector

Publication Date: 2017.10.31 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK

AI summary

In a radiation detector, a first segment positioned closest to the other side in a predetermined direction and a second segment positioned closest to the other side in the predetermined direction are optically connected to each other, and the first segments other than the first segment positioned closest to the other side in the predetermined direction and the second segments other than the second segment positioned closest to the other side in the predetermined direction are optically separated from each other.