Radiation Detector Elastic Member Optical Functional Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing X-ray detectors face issues with resolution and optical output due to the light reflecting layer deforming and permeating between columnar crystals, leading to leakage of visible light and decreased performance.

Innovation Solution

A radiation detector design featuring a substrate with photoelectric conversion elements, a scintillator layer of columnar crystals, a frame member, a protective layer, and an elastic member that presses a sheet-shaped optical functional layer against the scintillator layer, preventing the optical layer from filling gaps between crystals and ensuring optimal contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the light reflecting layer uses adhesive material with fluidity to seal the scintillator layer, then the sealing effect is improved, but the adhesive material flows and fills spaces between columnar crystal tips, causing light leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidlight leakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a sheet-shaped optical functional layer (flexible film) instead of fluid adhesive material. This film is pressed against the columnar crystal tips by an elastic member, providing sealing and optical functionality without flowing into gaps between crystals, thus preventing light leakage while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member acts as an intermediary between the optical functional layer and the scintillator layer. It applies pressure to ensure the optical functional layer contacts the columnar crystal tips without the layer itself flowing or deforming, achieving precise positioning and sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If the optical functional layer is pressed against the scintillator layer to improve contact, then optical output is improved, but the layer may deform and permeate between columnar crystals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical outputVSAvoidlayer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet-shaped optical functional layer maintains its structural integrity while being pressed against the scintillator layer. The flexibility allows conformal contact with columnar crystal tips for improved optical coupling, while the film nature prevents permeation between crystals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic member provides dynamic pressure to the optical functional layer, allowing it to conform to the surface topology of the columnar crystals for optimal contact, while the layer's inherent stability prevents permanent deformation or permeation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances resolution and optical output by preventing light leakage and maintaining contact between the optical functional layer and the scintillator layer, thereby improving detector performance.

Implementation Method 1

a scintillator layer that is disposed on the photoelectric conversion elements and that converts radiation into scintillation light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Implementation Method 2

an elastic member that is interposed between the optical functional layer and the protective layer and is elastically deformed, wherein the optical functional layer is pressed to the scintillator layer by an elastic force of the elastic member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3770923B1Radiation detector
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP3770923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3770923B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3770923B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A scintillator panel includes: a substrate that includes a principal surface and has transparency to the scintillation light; a scintillator layer that is disposed on the principal surface; a frame member that is disposed on the principal surface so as to surround the scintillator layer when viewed in a direction intersecting the principal surface; a protective layer that is disposed on the principal surface and the scintillator layer and is fixed to the frame member so as to seal the scintillator layer; a sheet-shaped optical functional layer that is disposed between the scintillator layer and the protective layer; and an elastic member that is interposed between the optical functional layer and the protective layer and is elastically deformed. The scintillator layer includes a plurality of columnar crystals of a scintillator material, and the optical functional layer is pressed to the scintillator layer by an elastic force of the elastic member and comes in contact with the scintillator layer in a plurality of regions including tips of the plurality of columnar crystals.