Scintillation Array Method and Apparatus
AssigneeSaint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
InventorsPeter R. Menge, Vladimir Solovyev, Renee Gaspar, Brian Bacon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one aspect a scintillation array includes a transparent material between portions of adjacent scintillation pixels. The transparent material can allow light to pass from one scintillation pixel to an adjacent scintillation pixel. The resulting image provides information regarding the depth at which a scintillation event occurs. Another aspect regards a scintillation array that includes reflector strips separating portions of adjacent scintillation pixels. Other spaces between portions of scintillation pixels need not include reflector strips and may be filled with other reflective material.
Claims21
A scintillation array comprising:
- a plurality of scintillation pixels forming an array, the array having a depth, a high energy end and a light exit end;
- and
- a light reflective material positioned between at least some pairs of adjacent pixels along less than the full length of the adjacent pixels.
A method of making a scintillation array comprising:
- arranging a plurality of scintillation pixels into an array;
- placing a reflective material between adjacent pixels at a first end of the array;
- and
- retaining transparency between adjacent pixels at a second end of the array.
A method of detecting the position of a scintillation event comprising:
- irradiating an array of scintillation pixels with excitatory energy, the array comprising a first portion at a first end of the array and a second portion at a second end of the array;
- forming visible light within a first pixel as a result of a scintillation event;
- conducting at least 60% of the visible light formed in the first pixel within the first portion of the array to a photo detector associated with the first pixel;
- and
- transmitting at least 45% of the visible light formed in the first pixel within the second portion of the array to a photo detector that is not associated with the first pixel;
- detecting a light output pattern from the array;
- and
- determining the position of the scintillation event by analyzing the light output pattern.
A scintillation array comprising:
- a matrix of scintillating pixels arranged in rows and columns, the matrix having a depth from a first end to a second end;
- a first series of reflective strips, the strips having a first height less than the depth of the matrix, the strips separating the rows of the matrix;
- and
- a second series of reflective strips having a second height less than the depth of the matrix, the strips separating the columns of the matrix.
21-36. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.