Layered Ceramic Scintillator for Spectral CT Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ceramic scintillators in detection devices lack energy-dependent scintillation light, making them unsuitable for spectral CT systems, where distinguishing radiation from different parts of the scintillator is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic material with a stack of layers of different compositions and/or dopings is used, allowing for the generation of distinct radiation types, enabling differentiation between radiation from upper and lower parts of the scintillator, which can be adapted for spectral CT systems and other imaging modalities like PET, improving light output and detector sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a ceramic scintillator is used in a detection device, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing is easier, but the ability to generate energy-dependent scintillation light is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating layers with different compositions and dopings within the ceramic scintillator material. Each layer has tailored properties to generate scintillation light at specific energy ranges, enabling the material to provide energy-dependent scintillation while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of ceramic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple layers of ceramic scintillator material with different compositions and dopings. This composite structure enables the material to generate distinct scintillation light for different radiation energies, solving the limitation of conventional homogeneous ceramic scintillators.
2Loss of energy
If a single-piece ceramic material is used for multiple layers, then optical losses from interfaces are avoided, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating all layer structures and compositional variations into a single ceramic material before final sintering. The green body is prepared with the complete multi-layer structure, and all interfaces are formed during the sintering process, eliminating subsequent interface-related optical losses and assembly steps.
3Measurement precision
If layers with different compositions and dopings are created, then the ability to distinguish radiation from different parts of the scintillator is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the composition and doping parameters of each layer to create distinct scintillation characteristics. This controlled parameter variation enables precise radiation detection while using standard ceramic manufacturing techniques to achieve the required layer precision.
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 approach enhances the ability to distinguish radiation types based on wavelength and decay time, improving the accuracy of detection values and spatial resolution in imaging systems, particularly in spectral CT and PET systems, while minimizing optical losses from layer interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a ceramic material for generating light when irradiated with radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a ceramic material (14) for generating light when irradiated with radiation, wherein the ceramic material comprises a stack of layers (15, 16) having different compositions and/or different dopings. The ceramic material may be used in a spectral computed tomography (CT) detector, in order to spectrally detect x-rays, or it may be used as a ceramic gain medium of a laser such that temperature gradients and corresponding thermo-mechanical stresses within the gain medium can be reduced.