High resolution, multiple-energy linear sweep detector for x-ray imaging

Apparatus for generating, in a single scan and in response to incident X-rays received from an object, plural electrical signals, each electrical signal representing an image of the object at a different range of energies of the incident X-rays, the apparatus comprising:

• a first X-ray detector, including:
• a first light detector having a first surface disposed substantially perpendicularly to the incident X-rays and including a linear array of first pixels formed in the first surface, and a first scintillator layer comprising columns of scintillator material grown on the first surface, each of the first pixels producing an electrical output in response to the incident X-rays in a first range of energies, and
• means for generating a first electrical signal in response to the electrical output of each of the first pixels;
• and
• a second X-ray detector stacked upstream of the first X-ray detector, the second X-ray detector including:
• a second light detector having a first surface disposed substantially perpendicularly to the incident X-rays and including a linear array of second pixels formed in the second surface, and a second scintillator layer comprising columns of the scintillator material grown on the second surface, the second scintillator layer providing an energy-dependent absorption of the incident X-rays before said incident X-rays are incident at the first X-ray detector, each of the second pixels generating an electrical output in response to the incident X-rays in a second range of energies, broader than the first range of energies, and
• means for generating a second electrical signal in response to the electrical output of each of the second pixels.

Apparatus for generating, in a single scan and in response to incident X-rays received from an object, plural electrical signals, each electrical signal representing an image of the object at a different range of energies of the incident X-rays, the apparatus comprising:

• a light detector layer having a surface disposed substantially parallel to the incident X-rays;
• a scintillator layer comprising columns of scintillator material grown on the surface;
• and
• a first X-ray detector and a second X-ray detector formed side-by-side in the light detector layer and the scintillator layer;
• the first X-ray detector including:
• a linear array of first pixels formed in a first portion of the light detector layer, and a first portion of the scintillator layer overlaying the first pixels, each of the first pixels generating an electrical output in response to the incident X-rays in a first range of energies;
• and
• means for generating a first electrical signal in response to the electrical output of each of the first pixels, and
• the second X-ray detector including:
• a linear array of second pixels formed in a second portion of the light detector layer, the linear array of second pixels being disposed parallel to and upstream of the linear array of first pixels, and a second portion of the scintillator layer overlaying the second pixels, the second portion of the scintillator layer providing an energy-dependent absorption of the incident X-rays before said incident X-rays are incident at the first portion of the scintillator layer, each of the second pixels generating an electrical output in response to the incident X-rays in a second range of energies, broader than the first range of energies;
• and
• means for generating a second electrical signal in response to the electrical output of each of the second pixels.

Apparatus for generating, in a single scan and in response to incident X-rays received from an object, plural electrical signals, each electrical signal representing an image of the object at a different range of energies of the incident X-rays, the apparatus comprising:

• a first X-ray detector, including:
• a first light detector having a first surface disposed substantially perpendicularly to the incident X-rays, wherein the first light detector has a linear array of first pixels, each of the first pixels producing an electrical output in response to the incident X-rays in a first range of energies,
• a first scintillator layer that has been grown on the first surface, and
• means for generating a first electrical signal in response to the electrical output of each of the first pixels;
• a second X-ray detector stacked upstream of the first X-ray detector, the second X-ray detector including:
• a second light detector having a second surface disposed substantially perpendicularly to the incident X-rays, wherein the second light detector has a linear array of second pixels, each of the second pixels producing an electrical output in response to the incident X-rays in a second range of energies, broader than the first range of energies,
• a second scintillator layer that has been grown on the second surface, and
• means for generating a second electrical signal in response to the electrical output of each of the second pixels, wherein the first scintillator layer provides an energy-dependent absorption of the incident X-rays before said incident X-rays are incident at the second scintillator layer.