Method and apparatus for making large area two-dimensional grids

A method for making a grid, comprising at least one layer having a plurality of walls defining openings therein, and being adaptable for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, the method comprising the steps of:

• applying a resist coating onto a substrate structure;
• covering the resist with a mask having a plurality of apertures therein;
• irradiating rays of energy onto the mask, such that some of the rays of energy enter the apertures in the mask and strike portions of the resist;
• removing the portions of the resist that were irradiated by the rays of energy to create openings in the resist;
• and
• introducing material into the openings in the resist such that the material forms portions of the grid, at least two of which interlockingly couple to each other to collectively form at least a portion of the walls of the at least one layer of the grid.

A grid, adaptable for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, comprising:

• a plurality of solid metal layers, each formed by electroplating and comprising:
• top and bottom surfaces;
• and
• a plurality of solid integrated walls, each of which extending from the top to bottom surface and having a plurality of side surfaces, the side surfaces of the solid integrated walls being arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer, and at least some of the walls extending at an angle other than 90.degree. with respect to the top and bottom surfaces such that the directions in which the walls extend all converge at a point in space at a predetermined distance from the front surface of said at least one layer;
• wherein each of the plurality of layers are stacked on top of each other such that walls of the layers are substantially aligned so that the openings in the layers are substantially aligned to form openings which pass entirely through the grid;
• and
• each of the plurality of layers comprises a plurality of interlocking sections, each including a portion of the top and bottom surfaces and at least one of said walls, said sections being coupled together to form a said at least one layer.

A grid, adaptable for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, comprising:

• at least one solid metal layer, formed by electroplating, comprising:
• top and bottom surfaces;
• and
• a plurality of solid integrated walls, each of which extending from the top to bottom surface and having a plurality of side surfaces, the side surfaces of the solid integrated walls being arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer, and at least some of the walls extending at an angle other than 90.degree. with respect to the top and bottom surfaces such that the directions in which the walls extend all converge at a point in space at a predetermined distance from the front surface of said at least one layer;
• and
• wherein at least some of the openings in at least some of the layers of the grid are filled with a material which scintillates x-rays passing therethrough.

A grid, adaptable for use with electromagnetic energy emitting devices, comprising:

• a plurality of solid metal layers, each formed by electroplating and comprising:
• top and bottom surfaces;
• and
• a plurality of solid integrated walls, each of which extending from the top to bottom surface and having a plurality of side surfaces, the side surfaces of the solid integrated walls being arranged to define a plurality of openings extending entirely through the layer, and at least some of the walls extending at an angle other than 90.degree. with respect to the top and bottom surfaces such that the directions in which the walls extend all converge at a point in space at a predetermined distance from the front surface of said at least one layer;
• wherein each of the plurality of layers are stacked on top of each other such that walls of the layers are substantially aligned so that the openings in the layers are substantially aligned to form openings which pass entirely through the grid;
• and
• some of the layers are made of material different from the material of which other of the layers are made, and wherein the layers of different materials are stacked on each other.