US 6,087,663 AGranted

Segmented scintillation detector for encoding the coordinates of photon interactions

AssigneeTriumf

InventorsChristian Moisan, Mark S. Andreaco, Sebastian Paquet, Joel G. Rogers

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Abstract

Light guides (1) capable of encoding the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of light emission induced by the interaction of photons in an array of a plurality of the light guides. Each light guide has at least two discrete crystal segments (4) adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the light guide (1). Between adjacent segments is a boundary layer (7) having less light transmission than the light transmission of the crystal segments (4). A light absorbing mask (8) increases light adsorption in a segment (4). Photons enter the light guide (1) and cause the emission of scintillation light which is delivered in different and resolvable quantities to light sensing devices. The differences in quantity of delivered light is caused by successive decreases in light in part by the boundary layers (7). The differences in quantity of light establish the segment from which the light emission took place.

Claims27

Dependent claims

In an apparatus for determining the X, Y and Z positions of a point of photon-induced light emission in an array of a plurality of scintillating light guides made of a scintillating compound, said apparatus having at least one photodetector disposed in registry with a light transmitting end of each light guide, and an analyzer for analyzing from signals produced by the photodetector the X and Y coordinates of photon-induced light emissions within the array of light guides, the improvement comprising:

(1) each light guide having a plurality of discrete crystal segments made of substantially the same scintillating compound with each segment adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the each light guide;
(2) a boundary layer between at least two of the crystal segments, said boundary layer having a light transmission loss such that light emission from a segment of the each light guide can be distinguished, and wherein the boundary layer has an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the crystal segments;
and
(3) a discriminator for comparing light values received by the at least one photodetector to determine which crystal segment of the each light guide emitted the photon-induced light and thus determining a Z coordinate thereof.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.