Radiation Detector Scintillator Panels for Large-Area Moisture Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radiation detectors face challenges in increasing the area of the radiation detection region while maintaining high-resolution radiological images and ensuring moisture-proof properties for columnar crystals with deliquescent properties.

Innovation Solution

A radiation detector design featuring two scintillator panels with columnar crystals on flexible substrates, where each panel extends to cover the edges of the other, and a continuous moisture-proof layer is applied to prevent moisture ingress and protect the crystals, allowing for increased detection area and resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the scintillator layer is formed of a plurality of columnar crystals to obtain high-resolution radiological images, then measurement precision is improved, but area of stationary object deteriorates because the scintillator panel area is difficult to be increased while moisture-proof properties are secured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidscintillator panel area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The scintillator panel is divided into multiple scintillator panels (first scintillator panel, second scintillator panel, etc.) that are arranged adjacently. Each panel maintains columnar crystal structure for high resolution, while the collective arrangement achieves large detection area. The segmentation allows each panel to be independently moisture-proofed while contributing to the overall large-area detector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multiple scintillator panels are arranged adjacently to increase detection area, then area of stationary object is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to moisture ingress at joint portions between panels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation detection region areaVSAvoidmoisture-proof properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A single continuous moisture-proof layer is formed that spans across multiple scintillator panels and their joint portions. This merged moisture-proof structure eliminates gaps at panel joints, preventing moisture ingress while maintaining the large detection area achieved through panel arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture-proof layer acts as an intermediary element that bridges adjacent scintillator panels. It is disposed on the outer surfaces of the panels and extends across joint portions, serving as a protective barrier that connects the panels while preventing moisture penetration at the interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If the scintillator layer reaches the outer edge of the substrate to maximize active area, then area of stationary object is improved, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to increased exposure of columnar crystals to moisture at edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescintillator layer areaVSAvoidmoisture sensitivity of columnar crystals

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible moisture-proof layer is disposed on the outer surfaces of the substrate and scintillator layer, extending to and covering the edges. This thin film protective structure allows the scintillator layer to reach the substrate edges for maximum active area while the flexible moisture-proof layer conforms to the panel surfaces and seals the edges, preventing moisture exposure of the columnar crystals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design achieves both an enlarged radiation detection region and improved image resolution by securing the joint between scintillator panels and preventing moisture ingress, while maintaining panel flexibility for easier attachment and protecting the crystals.

Implementation Method 1

a scintillator layer in the scintillator panel is formed of a plurality of columnar crystals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Data Source

PatentUS12386085B2Radiation detector, radiation detector manufacturing method, and scintillator panel unit

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK

AI summary

A radiation detector includes a sensor panel having a light receiving surface, a first scintillator panel and a second scintillator panel disposed on the light receiving surface in a state of being adjacent to each other along the light receiving surface, and a moisture-proof layer. The first scintillator panel has a first substrate and a first scintillator layer including a plurality of columnar crystals. The second scintillator panel has a second substrate and a second scintillator layer including a plurality of columnar crystals. The first scintillator layer reaches at least a first portion of the first substrate. The second scintillator layer reaches at least a second portion of the second substrate. The moisture-proof layer is provided continuous over the first scintillator panel and the second scintillator panel.