Scintillator Layer Design for Beta Ray Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current scintillators have limitations in achieving high efficiency in light emission and detection accuracy, particularly for beta rays, due to issues with light absorption and reabsorption, which affects their luminous efficiency and detection selectivity.

Innovation Solution

A scintillator comprising a first layer with a first organic substance capable of emitting light, a second organic substance including a carbonyl group, phosphine oxide, or sulfinyl group, and a third organic substance as a polymer, which enhances light emission efficiency by suppressing absorption and increasing the peak wavelength of light emission, while maintaining stability against radiation degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a conventional scintillator material is used, then the structure is simple, but the luminous efficiency is low due to light absorption and reabsorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminous efficiencyVSAvoidscintillator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scintillator is divided into multiple layers with different organic substances, each layer having specific optical properties. This segmentation allows light to be emitted and detected more efficiently by reducing reabsorption, as each layer is optimized for specific wavelength ranges, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and improving luminous efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite organic substances with specific molecular structures (including carbonyl groups, phosphine oxide groups, or sulfinyl groups) to create a scintillator that combines multiple functional properties. This composite approach enables high luminous efficiency while managing the complexity through systematic material design rather than arbitrary complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If the light emission peak wavelength is shortened, then the detection accuracy improves, but the light absorption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidlight absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Different layers of the scintillator are designed with different local optical properties, including specific peak emission wavelengths tailored to minimize reabsorption. The first organic substance emits light with a peak wavelength optimized for detection accuracy, while the second organic substance absorbs at a different wavelength range, creating local quality variations that prevent energy loss through reabsorption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the organic substances by selecting specific molecular structures with defined absorption and emission characteristics. By adjusting the peak emission wavelengths of different layers through chemical composition selection, the system achieves both high detection accuracy and reduced light absorption losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If the organic substance concentration is increased, then the light emission intensity increases, but the radiation degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emission intensityVSAvoidradiation resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The scintillator uses a composite of multiple organic substances, each at optimized concentrations. The first organic substance provides high light emission intensity, while the second organic substance (with carbonyl, phosphine oxide, or sulfinyl groups) contributes to radiation resistance. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve high illumination intensity without sacrificing reliability, as each component is present at concentrations optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration results in a significant increase in luminous efficiency and detection accuracy for beta rays, with a prolonged light emission lifetime, enabling high detection efficiency and selectivity.

Implementation Method 1

a first organic substance capable of emitting light... The first layer emits light based on beta rays incident on the first layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeta ray excitation and light emission: Luminescence

Implementation Method 2

the second organic substance includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbonyl group, phosphine oxide, and a sulfinyl group... suppressing absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12195653B2Scintillator and radiation detector

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a scintillator includes a first layer. The first layer includes a first organic substance capable of emitting light, and a second organic substance. The second organic substance includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a carbonyl group, phosphine oxide, and a sulfinyl group. The first layer emits light based on beta rays incident on the first layer. A period from a time of a maximum value of an intensity of the light until the intensity of the light drops to 1/2.72 of the maximum value is not less than 10 ns.