X-ray detector pulsed potential electrode elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of a partially transparent electrode for X-ray detectors requires additional manufacturing steps and achieving even illumination of direct-conversion converter elements is labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An X-ray detector with a direct-conversion converter element and an evaluating unit in a stacked arrangement, utilizing a voltage source device that applies a pulsed potential difference to eliminate the need for additional illumination and simplify the manufacturing process by using a pulsed potential difference formed between two surfaces of the converter element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent electrode is used to illuminate the converter element, then the converter element can be evenly illuminated, but additional manufacturing steps and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transparent electrode component entirely from the system. Instead of using a transparent electrode to illuminate the converter element, the invention uses the readout circuitry and evaluation electronics to detect converter element states through electrical signal analysis, thereby eliminating the need for additional transparent electrodes and their associated manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical illumination system (transparent electrode providing light) with an electrical detection system. The readout circuitry measures electrical signals from the converter element to determine its state, substituting the mechanical/optical approach with an electrical field-based approach that eliminates the need for transparent electrodes
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If additional illumination sources are used to determine converter element state, then the state can be determined, but the device complexity and manufacturing effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The converter element serves its own detection function by generating electrical signals that are directly readable by the integrated readout circuitry. The same converter material that detects X-rays also provides the electrical signals for state determination, eliminating the need for separate illumination sources and simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The converter element performs multiple functions: it detects X-ray photons and generates electrical signals for both primary detection and state determination. The readout circuitry is designed to extract multiple types of information from the same electrical signals, making the system multi-functional without requiring additional components
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 approach reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, improves reproducibility under high photon flux conditions, and allows for the determination of the converter element's state without additional illumination, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the X-ray detector.
Implementation Method 1
Through the application of the pulsed potential to a first surface of the direct-conversion converter element and through the application of the second potential to a second surface of the converter element opposed to the first surface, a pulsed potential difference is formed in the direct-conversion converter element
Implementation Method 2
The incident X-ray radiation deposits energy in the converter material, whereby electron-hole pairs are formed
Data Source
AI summary
An X-ray detector includes a direct-conversion converter element and an evaluating unit in a stacked arrangement. In an embodiment, the X-ray detector includes a voltage source, configured to provide a first potential and a second potential different from the first potential; a pulse generating unit for generating voltage pulses; and a connecting unit, for applying the voltage pulses onto the first potential, configured at the output to provide a pulsed potential. In an embodiment, through the application of the pulsed potential to a first surface of the direct-conversion converter element and through the application of the second potential to a second surface of the converter element opposed to the first surface, a pulsed potential difference is formed in the direct-conversion converter element.