High resolution high output microchannel based radiation sensor

A high resolution high output phosphor screen for the conversion of radiation impinging thereon to visible light, comprising:

• a) a substrate having a planar surface;
• b) a multiplicity of microchannels extending into the surface of the substrate, said microchannels having a diameter of less than 40 microns,
• c) a multiplicity of phosphors disposed in each of said microchannels, and
• d) a reflective coating disposed along the walls of the microchannels, said reflective coating having a reflectivity of at least 85%.

A compact high resolution digital X-ray imaging system comprising:

• a) a microchannel phosphor screen formed from a substrate having a planar surface;
• b) a multiplicity of microchannels extending into the surface of the substrate, said microchannels having a diameter of less than 40 microns,
• c) a quantity of phosphors disposed in each of said microchannels, said phosphors emitting visible light when exposed to radiation and having diameters of from 25 to 80% of the diameter of the microchannels, and a reflective coating disposed along the walls of the microchannels, said reflective coating having a reflectivity of at least 85%;
• c) an electronic image sensor disposed so as to intercept the visible light emitted by the phosphors for creating an image of the light;
• and;
• d) means for storing and displaying the image formed by the electronic image sensor.

A scintillation plate, comprising:

• a) a planar substrate;
• b) a multiplicity of microchannels extending into the surface of the substrate, said microchannels being formed by the removal of glass fibers extending perpendicular to the surface of the planar substrate;
• and
• c) a quantity of phosphors disposed in each of said microchannels, said phosphors emitting visible light when exposed to radiation.