Pixel-Type Neutron Detector Lattice Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional two-dimensional image detectors for heavy particle beams and neutrons face challenges in accurately detecting incident beam intensity due to fluorescent light leakage into non-incident pixels, complicating the construction and reducing detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A pixel-type two-dimensional image detector is developed using a translucent, thin fluorescent material-based sheet with a lattice-like structure, featuring reflecting plates and wavelength shifting fibers to minimize light leakage, and employing a coincidence count measurement for precise incident position determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If wavelength shifting fibers are arranged on a plane to detect heavy particle beams and neutrons, then the detection area can be increased, but the construction becomes complicated and fluorescent light leaks into surrounding pixels reducing detection accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection areaVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detector is divided into discrete pixel elements with individual light-tight boundaries. Each pixel contains its own wavelength shifting fiber or photodetector array, creating spatially separated detection channels that prevent cross-talk between adjacent detection regions while maintaining large overall detection area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Light-tight boundaries and reflective surfaces are applied locally at pixel boundaries to contain fluorescent light within specific pixel regions. The boundaries have different optical properties (light-tight) compared to the interior pixel regions, creating localized light containment zones that improve measurement precision without affecting the entire detector

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If wavelength shifting fibers are arranged on a plane without boundaries between pixels, then the construction is simplified, but fluorescent light diffuses into surrounding pixels causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction simplicityVSAvoidfluorescent light leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful fluorescent light diffusion is extracted and contained by introducing light-tight boundaries between pixels. These boundaries selectively remove the harmful diffusion effect while preserving the simplified planar structure and ease of construction of the overall detector assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Light-tight boundaries and reflective surfaces act as intermediary elements between adjacent pixel regions. These intermediaries block and redirect fluorescent light to prevent leakage into surrounding pixels while maintaining the simplicity of the planar fiber arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution significantly reduces fluorescent light leakage to non-incident pixels, enhancing detection accuracy and enabling more precise two-dimensional imaging of heavy particle beams and neutrons.

Implementation Method 1

a fluorescent material-based heavy particle beam detecting sheet which emits fluorescent light in accordance with incident heavy particle beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

a fluorescent material-based neutron detecting sheet which emits fluorescent light in accordance with incident neutrons

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Implementation Method 3

a wavelength shifting fiber for vertical axis detection for detecting the fluorescent light and a wavelength shifting fiber for horizontal axis detection for detecting the fluorescent light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength shifting:

Implementation Method 4

a series of reflecting plates which reflect the fluorescent light emitted from the fluorescent material-based heavy particle beam detecting sheet that emits the fluorescent light in response to the incident of the heavy particle beams are arranged along a vertical axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2533072B1Pixel type two-dimensional image detector
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 CHICHIBU FUJI
  • EP2533072B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2533072B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2533072B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a lattice-like pixel structure in which a reflecting plate that reflects a fluorescent light from a fluorescent material-based neutron detecting sheet is arranged along a vertical axis at a regular interval, and a reflecting plate that reflects a fluorescent light is arranged along a horizontal axis at a regular interval and at a right angle with respect to a series of fluorescent plates formed arranged along the vertical axis, a lattice-like fluorescent light detecting member is formed by providing such a structure that a groove may be formed at upper half position of the vertical axis direction reflecting plate and at a center position in a vertical axis interval for accommodating a wavelength shifting fiber for vertical axis detection for detecting the fluorescent light, and a groove may be formed at lower half position of the horizontal axis direction reflecting plate and at a center position in a horizontal axis interval for accommodating a wavelength shifting fiber for horizontal axis detection for detecting the fluorescent; and a fluorescent material-based neutron detecting sheet is arranged only at a front surface or at both of a front surface and a back surface of the lattice-like fluorescent light detecting member.