Silicon Semiconductor Detector Array for Nuclear Crystal Position Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear detectors face energy errors due to the limited size of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) relative to crystal arrays, leading to incomplete conversion of visible light into electric signals, which affects spatial resolution and image accuracy in medical imaging devices.
Innovation Solution
A silicon semiconductor detector array is used, where each silicon semiconductor detector corresponds to a crystal, connected to row and column signal processing modules that compare voltages with threshold values to accurately determine the crystal position hit by photons, reducing the need for multiple amplifiers and comparators and minimizing hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the quantity ratio of PMTs to crystals is reduced from 1:1 to 1:n (n>1), then hardware cost and system complexity are reduced, but energy conversion accuracy and spatial resolution deteriorate due to incomplete light reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the photoelectric detector from photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to silicon semiconductor detectors. This parameter change enables direct coupling with crystals in a 1:1 ratio, eliminating the light reception efficiency problems associated with PMTs while maintaining simplified hardware architecture through the direct coupling approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the optical-based PMT system with a solid-state silicon semiconductor detector system. This replacement eliminates the need for optical coupling and light transmission paths, directly converting visible light from crystals to electrical signals with higher efficiency and accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If the size of crystals is reduced to improve spatial resolution, then image quality improves, but the effectiveness of PMTs in converting light to electric signals deteriorates due to size mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detector type to silicon semiconductor detectors, which can be manufactured in small sizes matching the reduced crystal dimensions. This parameter change allows maintaining 1:1 coupling ratio even with smaller crystals, ensuring complete light reception and high conversion efficiency regardless of crystal size.
3Ease of operation
If photomultiplier tubes are used to convert visible light to electric signals, then detection function is achieved, but energy errors occur due to inability to receive all visible light from crystals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical coupling system with direct electrical coupling through silicon semiconductor detectors. This substitution eliminates light transmission losses and energy measurement errors by directly converting visible light to electrical signals without intermediate optical paths.
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
This solution enhances the accuracy of crystal position recognition and reduces energy errors, improving spatial resolution and image quality in nuclear detectors while minimizing hardware costs and system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
each of the silicon semiconductor detectors corresponds to a crystal in the crystal array and is coupled to a row signal output end of a row including the silicon semiconductor detector and to a column signal output end of a column including the silicon semiconductor detector
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for recognizing a position of a crystal in a nuclear detector, including: a silicon semiconductor detector array arranged in a crystal array in the nuclear detector, where each row/or column of silicon semiconductor detectors is configured to output a sum of voltages outputted by the silicon semiconductor detectors in the row/or column at a row/or column signal output end; row signal comparing modules, one to one correspondingly connected to each row signal output end and configured to obtain a row comparison result for each row of silicon semiconductor detectors; column signal comparing modules, one to one correspondingly connected to each column signal output end and configured to obtain a column comparison result for each column of silicon semiconductor detectors; and a crystal position recognizing module configured to recognize a position of a crystal hit by a photon according to each row comparison result and each column comparison result.