Radiation Detector Segmented Pixel Groups Energy Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation monitoring devices, such as the Medipix2 and Timepix detectors, face limitations in measuring radiation characteristics with high precision and sensitivity across a wide energy range, especially in high particle flux densities, due to their inability to handle multiple energy thresholds simultaneously, leading to increased measurement time and dose exposure in X-ray imaging.
Innovation Solution
A radiation detector with multiple event counters and a switching unit that allows for digital discrimination of energy depositions, enabling simultaneous counting of events in multiple energy intervals, and a microcontroller for real-time data processing and dose rate determination, which can handle high particle flux densities without dead time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images are taken subsequently with different discriminator thresholds to measure particles from different energy ranges, then energy spectrum information can be obtained, but measurement time increases and dose exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector pixel array is segmented into multiple groups, where each group has a different discriminator threshold. This allows simultaneous measurement of particles across different energy ranges in a single acquisition, eliminating the need for multiple sequential images while preserving energy spectrum information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal multiplexing (taking multiple images at different times with different thresholds) to spatial multiplexing (having multiple pixel groups with different thresholds simultaneously). This dimensional change from time to space allows parallel measurement of multiple energy ranges without increasing measurement time
2Measurement precision
If multiple images are taken subsequently with different discriminator thresholds to measure particles from different energy ranges, then energy spectrum information can be obtained, but dose exposure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector pixel array is segmented into multiple groups, where each group has a different discriminator threshold. This allows simultaneous measurement of particles across different energy ranges in a single acquisition, eliminating the need for multiple sequential images and thereby reducing the cumulative dose exposure to the object being imaged
3Productivity
If Time-Over-Threshold method is used in high flux X-ray imaging, then particle flux can be measured, but individual particle energy information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple groups with different discriminator thresholds. Each pixel group simultaneously measures particles in its specific energy range, preserving individual particle energy information even at high flux rates. The segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple energy channels without information loss
Solution Approach 2:
The discriminator thresholds are pre-configured in each pixel group before measurement begins. This preliminary setup enables immediate energy discrimination upon particle detection, allowing the system to handle high flux densities while preserving energy information without requiring sequential processing
4Device complexity
If only one lower threshold is available in Medipix2 detector, then device complexity is reduced, but only particles in one energy range can be counted during one acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The detector pixel array is segmented into multiple groups, where each group has a different discriminator threshold. This segmentation enables the detector to count particles across multiple energy ranges simultaneously during a single acquisition, significantly improving energy range coverage and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The detector achieves multi-functionality by enabling simultaneous measurement across multiple energy ranges through the segmented pixel groups with different thresholds. Each pixel group can be independently configured for different energy ranges, making the detector universally applicable to various radiation measurement scenarios
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
Enables precise measurement of radiation characteristics, including energy spectra and dose rates, in real-time, even at high particle flux densities, improving the efficiency and accuracy of radiological diagnostics and quality assurance of medical radiation installations.
Implementation Method 1
each detector pixel comprising (i) a sensor producing an electrical signal in response to an event of a photon or charged particle of said radiation impinging on said sensor
Implementation Method 2
an analog processing unit for amplifying and shaping said electrical signal and producing a shaped pulse
Data Source
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AI summary
Radiation detector (1) for measuring one or more characteristics of a radiation, comprising one or more detector pixels (3), a clock pulse generator, each detector pixel (3) comprising a sensor (20) producing an electrical signal in response to an event of a photon or charged particle of said radiation impinging on said sensor (20); a pixel electronics (24) adapted for receiving and processing said electrical signal, comprising an analog processing unit (62) for amplifying and shaping said electrical signal and producing a shaped pulse said pixel electronics (24) comprises time determination unit (51) for counting the TOT-count, the TOT-count being the number of clock pulses occurring during the time interval when said shaped pulse is above a threshold. Said pixel electronics comprises a plurality of event counters (82), each event counter (82) counting the number of events having a TOT-count in a predefined ranges.