Organic X-ray Detector Getter Layers for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Organic x-ray detectors are prone to performance degradation due to exposure to oxygen and moisture, with edge sealants being more permeable than top covers, which limits long-term stability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating oxygen and moisture getter layers in the organic x-ray detector configuration, either between the organic photodiode and scintillator or in contact with the encapsulation cover, to protect the detector from environmental exposure and improve stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If edge sealants are used to encapsulate the organic photodiode, then the detector structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but moisture and oxygen permeability increases leading to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining edge sealants with getter materials to create a hybrid encapsulation system. The getter layer is integrated into the edge seal structure, forming a composite that simultaneously provides sealing functionality and active moisture/oxygen absorption, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving long-term stability
Solution Approach 2:
The getter material acts as an intermediary between the organic photodiode and the external environment. It is positioned at the edge seal interface to actively intercept and absorb moisture and oxygen before they can penetrate through the sealant, serving as a protective mediator that enhances reliability without complicating the encapsulation process
2Reliability
If hermetic sealing is implemented to protect the organic photodiode from oxygen and moisture, then detector reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the moisture and oxygen absorption function from the traditional hermetic seal structure and implements it through a separate getter layer. Instead of relying solely on a complex hermetic seal, the harmful substances are actively removed by the getter material positioned at the edge seal, simplifying the overall encapsulation structure while maintaining protection
Solution Approach 2:
The getter material is applied locally at the edge seal regions where moisture and oxygen ingress is most likely to occur, rather than requiring a completely hermetic seal throughout the entire device. This localized approach provides effective protection while minimizing the complexity associated with full hermetic encapsulation
3Reliability
If getter layers are added to the detector structure, then protection against oxygen and moisture improves, but manufacturing steps and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the getter layer deposition with the existing edge sealant application process. The getter material is integrated into the edge seal structure and deposited in coordination with the sealant formation, combining multiple functions into a unified manufacturing step rather than adding completely separate process stages
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 getter layers effectively trap oxygen and moisture, enhancing the reliability and stability of the organic x-ray detectors by reducing degradation, as demonstrated by reduced defect counts in testing under high humidity and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A scintillator which converts x-ray to visible light is generally disposed on top of the OPDs
Implementation Method 2
edge sealants are generally more permeable for moisture and oxygen than the top cover, and edge ingress of moisture/oxygen may be a limiting factor for long-term stability
Data Source
AI summary
An organic x-ray detector is presented. The organic x-ray detector includes a layered structure. The layered structure includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) array disposed on a substrate, an organic photodiode disposed on the TFT array, and a scintillator layer disposed on the organic photodiode. The organic x-ray detector includes an encapsulation cover at least partially encapsulating the layered structure. The organic x-ray detector further includes at least one of a moisture getter layer and an oxygen getter layer disposed proximate to the organic photodiode, and in the path of an x-ray radiation incident on the layered structure. X-ray system including the organic x-ray detector is also presented.