Protection of a gamma radiation detector with an optical modulator to modulate an amount of transmission between a gamma scintillator array and a first photodetector array

A computed tomography (CT) imaging detector comprising:

• a combined detector, which comprises:
• an X-ray radiation detector, comprising:
• an X-ray anti-scatter grid disposed along a gamma radiation receiving direction, the X-ray radiation detector further comprising either:
• an X-ray scintillator array comprising a plurality of second scintillator elements for generating second scintillation light in response to received X-ray quanta:
• a second photodetector array for detecting the second scintillation light;
• wherein the second photodetector array is in optical communication with the plurality of second scintillator elements for detecting the second scintillation light;
• and wherein the X-ray scintillator array and the second photodetector array are arranged in a stacked configuration along the gamma radiation receiving direction;
• or an array of direct-conversion X-ray detector elements;
• wherein each direct-conversion X-ray detector element of the array of direct-conversion X-ray detector elements is configured to generate electrical signals in response to received X-ray quanta;
• a gamma scintillator array comprising a plurality of first scintillator elements for generating first scintillation light in response to received gamma quanta;
• an optical modulator;
• and
• a first photodetector array for detecting the first scintillation light generated by the gamma scintillator array;
• wherein the gamma scintillator array, the optical modulator, and the first photodetector array are arranged in a stacked configuration along the gamma radiation receiving direction;
• wherein the optical modulator is disposed between the gamma scintillator array and the first photodetector array for modulating a transmission of the first scintillation light between the gamma scintillator array and the first photodetector array;
• wherein the optical modulator comprises at least one optical modulator pixel, the at least one optical modulator pixel having a cross sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the gamma radiation receiving direction;
• wherein the first photodetector array comprises a plurality of photodetector pixels, each photodetector pixel of the plurality of photodetector pixels having a cross sectional area in the plane that is perpendicular to the gamma radiation receiving direction;
• wherein a cross sectional area of each optical modulator pixel of the at least one optical modulator pixel is greater than or equal to a cross sectional area of each photodetector pixel of the plurality of photodetector pixels;
• and
• wherein the X-ray radiation detector is disposed along the gamma radiation receiving direction and on an opposite side of the gamma scintillator array to the first photodetector array.

An imaging arrangement comprising:

• a combined detector, comprising:
• a gamma radiation detector, comprising:
• a gamma scintillator array comprising a plurality of first scintillator elements for generating first scintillation light in response to received gamma quanta;
• an optical modulator;
• and a first photodetector array for detecting the first scintillation light generated by the gamma scintillator array;
• wherein the gamma scintillator array, the optical modulator, and the first photodetector array are arranged in a stacked configuration along a gamma radiation receiving direction;
• wherein the optical modulator is disposed between the gamma scintillator array and the first photodetector array for modulating a transmission of the first scintillation light between the gamma scintillator array and the first photodetector array;
• wherein the optical modulator comprises at least one optical modulator pixel, the at least one optical modulator pixel having a cross sectional area in a plane that is perpendicular to the gamma radiation receiving direction;
• wherein the first photodetector array comprises a plurality of photodetector pixels, each photodetector pixel of the plurality of photodetector pixels having a cross sectional area in the plane that is perpendicular to the gamma radiation receiving direction;
• and
• wherein a cross sectional area of each optical modulator pixel of the at least one optical modulator pixel is greater than or equal to a cross sectional area of each photodetector pixel of the plurality of photodetector pixels;
• and an X-ray radiation detector disposed along the gamma radiation receiving direction and on an opposite side of the gamma scintillator array to the first photodetector array;
• and
• an X-ray source;
• and
• a processor in communication with the X-ray source and the optical modulator, and is configured to control a transmission of the optical modulator in a synchronization with an emission of X-ray radiation from the X-ray source.