Solid Scintillator Lens for High-Resolution X-Ray Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current X-ray imaging apparatuses are limited by spatial resolution due to the use of dry objective lenses, which cannot surpass a resolution of 353 nm, while liquid-immersion lenses face issues like temperature-dependent focus variations and opacity under radiation, restricting practical spatial resolution to 353 nm or less.
Innovation Solution
An optical element for a radiation imaging apparatus is designed with a scintillator integrated unitarily with the objective lens, utilizing a solid lens-form substrate and a fluorescent film to enhance spatial resolution by increasing the numerical aperture and maintaining temperature stability, eliminating the need for a liquid medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a liquid-immersion objective lens is used to increase numerical aperture, then spatial resolution is improved, but temperature stability deteriorates due to temperature-dependent focus variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the medium from liquid to solid, fundamentally altering the refractive index stability characteristics. The solid lens material maintains a stable refractive index across temperature variations, eliminating the focus drift problem inherent in liquid-immersion systems while preserving the high numerical aperture benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structures where the solid lens material is specifically selected to have refractive index properties similar to the liquid medium it replaces, while providing superior thermal stability. This allows the system to achieve both high numerical aperture and temperature stability simultaneously.
2Measurement precision
If a liquid-immersion objective lens is used to increase numerical aperture, then spatial resolution is improved, but reliability deteriorates under radiation exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the medium from liquid to solid, fundamentally altering the radiation resistance characteristics. The solid lens material resists radiation-induced opacity and degradation, eliminating the reliability problem inherent in liquid-immersion systems under radiation exposure while preserving the high numerical aperture benefit.
3Device complexity
If a dry objective lens is used to maintain simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but spatial resolution deteriorates due to limited numerical aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the medium from gas to solid, fundamentally altering the refractive index to achieve high numerical aperture. The solid lens material provides refractive index properties similar to liquid immersion media, enabling high spatial resolution while maintaining the simplicity and ease of handling characteristic of dry lens systems.
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 configuration achieves a significantly higher spatial resolution of up to 96 nm, surpassing conventional limits, while ensuring long-term mechanical stability and avoiding the limitations of liquid-immersion lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The scintillator 901 converts the incident light, which is X rays, into fluorescence light with a longer wavelength that can be refracted with an optical lens
Implementation Method 2
An image with the fluorescence light from the scintillator 901 is enlarged (or reduced as the case may be) by an imaging optical system 902
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element for a radiation imaging apparatus includes an objective lens and receives incident radiation. A scintillator that receives the radiation to emit fluorescence light with a longer wavelength than the radiation is formed unitarily on a radiation incidence side substrate face of a lens-form substrate included in the objective lens.