Index-matched phosphor scintillator structures
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsDominic A. Cusano, Robert K. Swank, Philip J. White
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Abstract
Scintillator structures are disclosed in which the phosphor is embedded or suspended in an optically transparent matrix which is selected or adjusted to have an index of refraction which is approximately equal to that of the phosphor embedded therein at the wavelength of the light emitted by the phosphor. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, BaFCl:Eu is embedded in a matrix formed by the polymerization of 2-vinyl napthalene and vinyl toluene. The scintillator structures of the present invention provide superior optical coupling to photoelectrically responsive devices. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing index-matched phosphor scintillator structures.
Claims6
A method of producing scintillator bodies for use in computerized tomography with increased detectable optical output from a phosphor which absorbs electromagnetic radiation at supra-optical frequencies and emits electromagnetic radiation at optical frequencies, said method comprising the steps of:
- (A) pulverizing a polyvinyl naphthalene toluene polymer having an index of refraction equal to the index of refraction of BaFCl:Eu phosphor, at approximately the wavelength of the optical emission of the phosphor, said polymer being substantially transparent to the optical wavelength radiation emitted by the phosphor and also being substantially transparent to supra-optical electromagnetic radiation;
- (B) uniformly mixing the pulverized polymer with the phosphor;
- (C) heating the powder from step B at a sufficiently high temperature and pressure to cause the polymer to flow forming a solid body, but below a temperature so high as to cause decomposition of any component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.