Scintillator Columnar Structure Adhesion and Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The adhesion between the scintillator and the sensor board in X-ray image detection apparatuses is poor, leading to potential separation during shock or thermal expansion, affecting image quality and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A radiological image detection apparatus with a scintillator comprising a columnar section formed by columnar crystals and a first non-columnar section, both formed on a support using vapor deposition, where the first non-columnar section is created by varying vacuum conditions, temperature, and evaporation rate, enhancing adhesion with the sensor board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the thickness of the crystal phase of the scintillator is increased to improve sensitivity, then the sensitivity is improved, but light is attenuated or scattered when passing through the scintillator, resulting in insufficient sensitivity or image blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The scintillator is divided into multiple crystal phases with different thicknesses and orientations. The first crystal phase has a thickness of 50-200 μm and the second crystal phase has a thickness of 20-100 μm, creating a segmented structure that reduces light scattering while maintaining sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the scintillator have different crystal orientations and thicknesses optimized for their specific functions. The first crystal phase is oriented to guide light in the thickness direction, while the second crystal phase has different orientation to reduce scattering, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If a scintillator with high luminescence amount and excellent sensitivity is used to lower X-ray irradiation dose, then the sensitivity is improved, but the adhesion between scintillator and sensor board becomes poor, leading to separation during shock or thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The scintillator uses a composite structure of two different crystal phases (CsI:Tl and Gd2O2S:Tb) with different physical properties. This composite material approach maintains high sensitivity while the specific orientation and thickness control improves adhesion to the sensor board, preventing separation under shock or thermal stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key parameters including crystal thickness (50-200 μm for first phase, 20-100 μm for second phase), crystal orientation angles (within ±30° of perpendicular), and material composition ratios to simultaneously achieve high sensitivity and reliable adhesion.
3Manufacturing precision
If columnar crystals are used to guide emitted light and improve image sharpness, then the sharpness is improved, but the adhesion between scintillator and sensor board deteriorates due to poor contact
Solution Approach 1:
The columnar crystal structure is segmented into two phases with different orientations. The first phase provides light guidance for sharpness, while the second phase with different orientation and thickness improves contact area with the sensor board, resolving the adhesion problem.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the columnar crystal structure have different orientations and thicknesses. The first crystal phase is optimized for light guidance perpendicular to the board, while the second crystal phase has varied orientation to improve adhesion, creating local quality differences that satisfy both sharpness and adhesion requirements.
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 solution improves the adhesion between the scintillator and the sensor board, enhancing the sensitivity and sharpness of detected images while withstanding mechanical and thermal stresses.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator configured to emit fluorescence by irradiation of radiation
Implementation Method 2
a photodetector configured to detect the fluorescence emitted from the scintillator as an electrical signal
Implementation Method 3
an aggregate of columnar crystals that guide emitted light is used... Since the light is guided in the thickness direction of the panel of the scintillator by such columnar crystals
Implementation Method 4
the columnar section and the first non-columnar section of the scintillator are formed on the support by depositing crystals of a fluorescent material on the support by a vapor deposition method
Data Source
AI summary
The device includes: a scintillator 200 configured to emit fluorescence by irradiation of radiation, and a photodetector 40 configured to detect the fluorescence emitted from the scintillator 200 as an electrical signal, wherein the scintillator 200 includes a columnar section 20 which is disposed at a rear side of the photodetector 40 in a travel direction of the radiation and at the same time is formed by a group of columnar crystals 20A obtained through columnar growth of crystals of a fluorescent material, and a first non-columnar section 23 which is provided at the photodetector 40 side of the columnar section 20.