Scintillator Phase Separation Structure Eliminates Banks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional scintillators require banks or scattering planes for optical waveguiding, which complicates manufacturing and degrades spatial resolution in X-ray CT scanners, as these banks cannot be entirely eliminated and require multiple processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A scintillator with a phase separation structure incorporating a first crystal phase of perovskite type oxide material with a higher refractive index and a second crystal phase, allowing for total reflection and waveguiding of light in one direction, eliminating the need for banks and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If banks are formed by cutting and joining scintillators, then optical waveguiding is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and spatial resolution degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the optical waveguiding function with the scintillator material itself by forming a phase separation structure within the scintillator. The first crystal phase (columnar crystals) and second crystal phase (matrix) are integrated into a single scintillator body, eliminating the need for separate banks formed by cutting and joining multiple scintillators. This merging approach simplifies manufacturing while maintaining spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material structure with two distinct crystal phases: a first crystal phase forming columnar crystals with unidirectionality and a second crystal phase forming the matrix. This composite structure provides both scintillation properties and optical waveguiding functionality within a single material system, avoiding the need for complex assembly processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If banks are formed to guide light, then light waveguiding is achieved, but the number of manufacturing processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguiding function is merged into the scintillator material itself through phase separation structure formation. Instead of adding separate banking structures through multiple processes (cutting, joining, etching, filling), the waveguiding capability is integrated directly into the scintillator's internal structure, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The scintillator material itself provides the optical waveguiding function through its phase separation structure. The first crystal phase automatically guides light along the columnar crystal directions without requiring external banking structures. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manufacturing processes to create separate waveguiding elements.
3Productivity
If multiple processing steps are used to form banks, then optical separation is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase separation during crystal growth to automatically create the optical waveguiding structure. By controlling the solidification process, the first crystal phase forms columnar structures while the second crystal phase forms the matrix, creating optical separation in a single manufacturing step rather than through multiple subsequent processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguiding structure is formed preliminarily during the crystal growth process itself. The phase separation occurs as the scintillator crystal is being grown, creating the columnar first crystal phase and matrix second crystal phase structure before any additional processing. This preliminary formation of the waveguiding structure eliminates the need for subsequent etching, filling, and assembly steps.
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 scintillator achieves high spatial resolution and efficient light waveguiding without banks, reducing manufacturing complexity and enhancing the performance of radiation detectors by confining light within the first crystal phase, thereby suppressing crosstalk and improving image resolution.
Implementation Method 1
the first crystal phase has a refractive index which is higher than that of the second crystal phase
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide property of the emitted light
Implementation Method 3
a scintillator as a material which emits light when being excited by radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a scintillator used for radiation detection in an X-ray CT scanner or the like, the scintillator having a unidirectional phase separation structure having an optical waveguide function, which eliminates the need of formation of banks for preventing crosstalk. The scintillator has a waveguide function instead of the banks or the like. The scintillator includes: a first crystal phase including multiple columnar crystals having unidirectionality; and a second crystal phase for covering a side of the first crystal phase. The first crystal phase includes a perovskite type oxide material including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Lu and Gd, and a rare earth element as an emission center. The first crystal phase emits light by radiation excitation.