Radiation Image Detector with Convex Lens Collimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation image detectors suffer from low spatial resolution and contrast due to light deviation and crosstalk issues, which affect image quality, and existing solutions like non-crystal scintillators and fiber optical plates have limitations in performance stability and manufacturing complexity.

Innovation Solution

A radiation image detector design featuring a substrate with a radiation conversion layer, an optical image detector, a light-shielding structure, and a light-collecting structure with convex lenses that collimate visible light, allowing only small-angle light to reach photosensitive pixels, thereby reducing crosstalk and improving image resolution and quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a radiation conversion layer is used to convert radiation into visible light, then radiation detection is achieved, but light deviation occurs causing position errors and reduced spatial resolution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidspatial resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detector into distinct functional layers: a radiation conversion layer that converts radiation to visible light, and a separate optical image detector layer with photosensitive pixels. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while reducing cross-talk and position deviation between conversion and detection functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical coupling layer as an intermediary between the radiation conversion layer and the optical image detector. This intermediary layer with optimized refractive index matches the optical properties between different materials, reducing light scattering and position deviation, thereby improving spatial resolution while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If visible light is allowed to reach photosensitive pixels without restriction, then detection efficiency is improved, but crosstalk increases reducing image contrast

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidimage contrast
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality optimization by creating pixel-aligned light guide structures and optical coupling regions that are spatially correlated with individual photosensitive pixels. This ensures that light from each pixel location is preferentially guided to the corresponding photosensitive element, reducing cross-talk between adjacent pixels while maintaining high detection efficiency for on-axis light.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the optical coupling layer is optimized for light transmission, then detection efficiency increases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the optical coupling layer by adjusting physical parameters such as refractive index matching, layer thickness, and material composition. By carefully selecting these parameters, the patent achieves high light transmission efficiency while using conventional fabrication techniques, thereby avoiding excessive manufacturing complexity. The optical coupling layer thickness is optimized to balance light transmission and mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 detector enhances image resolution and quality by effectively collimating visible light, balancing detective quantum efficiency at low and high spatial frequencies, and is applicable to various scintillator types, overcoming the limitations of previous technologies.

Implementation Method 1

The radiation conversion layer can convert radiation into visible light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Implementation Method 2

The convex lens in the light-collecting structure can guide the small-angle light, which is above the convex lens and close to the optical axis, to the opening of the light-shielding layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

After the visible light is received by the photoelectric conversion device, electron-hole pairs are generated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3855218A1Radiation image detector
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 IRAY TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3855218A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3855218A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3855218A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is a radiation image detector, including: a substrate; a continued radiation conversion layer configured to convert radiation into visible light; an optical image detector on the substrate and between the radiation conversion layer and the substrate, wherein the optical image detector comprises an array of photosensitive pixels; a light-shielding structure located on a side of the plurality of photosensitive pixels facing away from the substrate, wherein the light-shielding structure has a plurality of openings to allow the visible light to reach the photosensitive pixels; and a light-collecting structure located between the radiation conversion layer and the light-shielding structure and comprising a plurality of convex lenses, wherein each convex lens has its optical axis perpendicular to the light-shielding structure and passing through one of the plurality of openings.