Scintillator Light Output via High Voltage Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and field emission displays (FEDs) face limitations due to low light output and contrast from their cathodoluminescent phosphors, requiring high voltage and failing to provide adequate brightness for modern imaging applications, especially in medical diagnostics and digital radiology.
Innovation Solution
Applying a high intensity electric field to a thick single crystal scintillator film, such as CsI(Tl), to significantly increase light output, achieving gains of 10 to 100 times that of traditional phosphors, enabling brighter and more efficient radiation detection and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional cathodoluminescent phosphors are used in CRTs and FEDs, then the devices can operate with conventional structures, but the light output is insufficient and brightness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high voltage electric fields (on the order of 10^6 V/m) to the scintillator material, fundamentally changing the operational parameters to achieve field-enhanced luminescence. This parameter change enables light output increases of 10-100 times compared to conventional phosphors operating without such intense fields.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite scintillator materials such as CsI(Tl) and PbWO4 that combine high atomic number elements for radiation absorption with activator ions for light emission. These composite materials respond dramatically to applied electric fields, producing the enhanced luminescence effect that resolves the brightness limitation.
2Illumination intensity
If high voltage is applied across CRT and FED tubes to operate conventional phosphors, then the phosphors can emit light, but the contrast is reduced and the structure requires high voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by applying the high voltage directly across the scintillator material itself rather than across the entire tube. This localized parameter change achieves the necessary light output while potentially reducing overall device voltage requirements and improving contrast through the intense field's selective enhancement of luminescence.
3Measurement precision
If conventional phosphors are used in medical imaging displays, then the current technology can be maintained, but the image brightness and quality are inadequate for modern diagnostic requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By applying intense electric fields to scintillator materials, the patent achieves dramatic increases in light output (10-100 times) that directly improve display brightness for medical imaging. This parameter change enables conventional CRT and FED technologies to meet modern diagnostic requirements without requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention effectively creates a enhanced version of conventional phosphor behavior by using scintillator materials that copy and amplify the luminescence effect through field enhancement, achieving superior image quality while maintaining compatibility with existing display tube architectures.
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 method enhances light output and luminescence, making CRTs and FEDs competitive with newer display technologies, improving image quality in medical imaging and digital radiology, and reducing energy requirements for operation.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator exposed to ionizing radiation can provide light outputs that far exceeds those previously obtained in the art
Implementation Method 2
under the application of a very high intensity electric field, a scintillator exposed to ionizing radiation can provide light outputs that far exceeds those previously obtained in the art
Implementation Method 3
a video controlled array of micro beams so as to simultaneously project electrons across a narrow space to impact a cathodoluminescent phosphor causing light emission
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses methods and devices for increasing the light output of a scintillator. Using the methods of the present disclosure, a very high intensity electric field is applied to a scintillator exposed to ionizing radiation and provides light outputs that far exceeds those previously obtained in the art. The light output gains are very high, on the order of 10 to 100 times those obtained with prior methods, and will make it possible to achieve sufficient brightness to enable the use of a cathode ray tube or a field emission display in new devices. In the field of x-ray imaging, a bright scintillator will have tremendous potential in many important applications, such as computed tomography (CT), SPECT, diagnostic digital radiology, and the like.