Scintillator Module Non-Adhesive Moisture Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for protecting alkali halide scintillator crystals, such as CsI:T1, from moisture result in optical loss and decreased crystal sharpness due to adhesive materials entering crystal gaps or tightly adhering to uneven surfaces, making it difficult to enhance both luminance and resolution simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A scintillator module with a non-adhesive moisture-proof member having a given hardness is used, ensuring a void between the moisture-proof layer and the columnar scintillator crystals under vacuum sealing, preventing optical loss and maintaining crystal sharpness, thereby allowing for higher luminance and resolution without compromising either.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a moisture-proof layer is formed directly on the surfaces of columnar scintillator crystals by metal deposition or parylene coating, then the crystals are protected from moisture, but optical loss occurs and crystal sharpness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidoptical loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A resin sheet with specific hardness (0.03 to 0.06 mm measured by Shore 00 durometer) is introduced as an intermediary between the moisture-proof layer and the scintillator crystal surface. This intermediary prevents direct contact and adhesion between the moisture-proof layer and crystal peaks, eliminating optical loss while maintaining moisture protection through vacuum sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The hardness of the resin sheet is precisely controlled within the range of 0.03 to 0.06 mm (Shore 00 durometer). This parameter optimization ensures the resin is soft enough to conform to crystal surfaces without adhering to the peaks, preventing optical loss while providing effective moisture barrier protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If adhesive materials are used to fix and vacuum-seal a layered film containing a moisture-proof layer to the surfaces of columnar scintillator crystals, then the crystals are protected from moisture, but adhesive materials enter crystal gaps causing optical loss and decreased crystal sharpness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidcrystal sharpness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The resin sheet serves as a mediator that replaces adhesive materials in the sealing process. Being non-adhesive, it prevents contamination of crystal gaps while still enabling vacuum sealing to protect against moisture, thus maintaining both moisture protection and crystal sharpness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Adhesive materials are completely removed from the sealing structure. The resin sheet provides sealing functionality without the harmful adhesive properties, extracting the problematic adhesive component while retaining the beneficial moisture protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If conventional moisture-proofing methods are used, then moisture protection is achieved, but both luminance and resolution cannot be enhanced simultaneously due to optical loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidluminance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-adhesive resin sheet eliminates optical loss by preventing adhesion between the moisture-proof layer and crystal surfaces, thereby restoring full luminance output while maintaining moisture protection, enabling simultaneous enhancement of both protection and optical performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables scintillator modules and sensor units to achieve higher luminance and resolution simultaneously while maintaining crystal sharpness, as demonstrated by improved performance metrics compared to conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

Alkali halide scintillators include, for example, columnar CsI:T1 crystals which exert optical guide effects for visible light emitted in the crystals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScintillation: Scintillation

Implementation Method 2

a non-adhesive moisture-proof member having a given hardness and opposing a crystal growing side of the columnar scintillator crystal layer, the moisture-proof member that ensures a void between the moisture-proof member and individual conic peak portions of columnar scintillator crystals forming the columnar scintillator crystal layer under vacuum sealing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11428824B2Scintillator module, scintillator sensor unit, and manufacturing method

Publication Date: 2022.08.30 YMIT CO LTD

AI summary

A scintillator module includes a substrate, a columnar scintillator crystal layer formed on the substrate, and a non-adhesive moisture-proof member having a given hardness and opposing a crystal growing side of the columnar scintillator crystal layer. The moisture-proof member ensures a void between the moisture-proof member and individual conic peak portions of columnar scintillator crystals forming the columnar scintillator crystal layer under vacuum sealing, and holds the columnar scintillator crystal layer in a moisture-proof state between a moisture-proof layer and the substrate.