# US 7,608,829 B2 · Polymeric composite scintillators and method for making same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,608,829 B2 - Document ID: US7608829B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/728,400 - Filed: 2007-03-26 - Published: 2008-10-02 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-26 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Inventors: Sergio Paulo Martins Loureiro; James Scott Vartuli; Brent Allen Clothier; Steven Jude Duclos; Mohan Manoharan; Patrick Roland Lucien Malenfant; Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani; Clifford Bueno - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608829B2 ## CPC - G01T 1/20: with scintillation detectors - G01T 1/16: Measuring radiation intensity (G01T1/29 takes precedence {; self-powered detectors G01T3/006; using an ionisation chamber filled with a liquid or solid, e.g. frozen liquid, dielectric G01T3/008}) - A61B 6/037: {Emission tomography} - G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A scintillation detector comprising nano-scale particles of a scintillation compound embedded in a plastic matrix is provided. The nano-scale particles may be made from metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, or metal halides. Methods are provided for preparing the nano-scale particles. The particles may be coated with organic compounds or polymers prior to incorporation in the plastic matrix. A technique for matching the refractive index of the plastic matrix with the nano-scale particles by incorporating nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide is also provided. The scintillator may be coupled with one or more photodetectors to form a scintillation detection system. The scintillation detection system may be adapted for use in X-ray and radiation imaging devices, such as digital X-ray imaging, mammography, CT, PET, or SPECT, or may be used in radiation security detectors or subterranean radiation detectors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A scintillator comprising: a plastic matrix; and nano-scale particles of a scintillation material; wherein a coating comprising a small molecule ligand is disposed on each nano-scale particle, the ligand comprising trioctylphosphine oxide or trialkoxysilane; and wherein the coated nano-scale particles are embedded in the plastic matrix. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The scintillator of claim 1 wherein the plastic matrix comprises at least one of an isotropic thermoplastic resin, an anisotropic thermoplastic resin, an isotropic thermoset resin, or an anisotropic thermoset resin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The scintillator of claim 1 wherein the plastic matrix comprises nano-scale particles of at least one of titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, or combinations thereof in an amount sufficient to increase the refractive index of the plastic matrix to match the refractive index of the scintillation material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The scintillator of claim 1 wherein the plastic matrix comprises at least one of polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyacrylate, polyamide, polymethyl pentene, cellulose based polymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), phenol formaldehyde resin, poly N-vinyl carbazole, liquid crystalline polymer (LOP), polysiloxane, polyphosphazene, polyimide, epoxide, phenolic resin, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The scintillator of claim 1 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillator material are less than about 100 nm in size. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The scintillator of claim 1 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, metal halides, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The scintillator of claim 1 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise at least one phosphor having a general formula of (Y,Gd)2O3:Eu; Y2SiO5:Ce; Y2Si2O7:Ce; LuAlO3:Ce; Lu2SiO5:Ce; Gd2SiO5:Ce; YAlO3:Ce; ZnO:Ga; CdWO4; LuPO4:Ce; PbWO4; Bi4Ge3O12; CaWO4; Gd2O2S:Tb; Gd2O2S:Pr; (RE)3Al5O12:Ce, wherein RE is at least one rare earth metal; or combinations thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The scintillator of claim 1 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise at least one phosphor having a general formula of LaOX:Tb; wherein X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise at least one phosphor having the general formula [La(1-x)Cex][Cl(1-y-z)Br(y-z)lz]3; wherein 0≧x≧1; 0≧(1-y-z)≧1; 0≧z≧1; and 0≧(y-z)≧1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise a phosphor having a general formula of MXn:Y; wherein M comprises at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of La, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof; X comprises at least one halide ion selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof; Y comprises at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Tl, Tb, Na, Ce, Pr, Eu, and combinations thereof; and n is an integer between 1 and 4, inclusive. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise at least one phosphor having a general formula of LnX3:Ce, wherein each X is independently Cl, Br, or I; RbGd2F7:Ce; CeF3, BaF2, CsI(Na), CaF2:Eu, LiI:Eu, OsI, CsF, CsI:Tl, Nal:Tl, CdS:In, ZnS, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 A scintillation detection system comprising: a plastic matrix; nano-scale particles of a scintillation material, wherein a coating comprising a small molecule ligand is disposed on each nano-scale particle, the ligand comprising trioctylphosphine oxide or trialkoxysilane, and wherein the coated nano-scale particles are embedded in the plastic matrix; and one or more photodetectors attached to the plastic matrix, wherein the one or more photodetectors are configured to detect photons generated in the plastic matrix. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the plastic matrix comprises at least one of an isotropic thermoplastic resin, an anisotropic thermoplastic resin, an isotropic thermoset resin, or an anisotropic thermoset resin. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the plastic matrix comprises nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide in a sufficient amount to increase the refractive index of the plastic matrix to match the refractive index of the scintillation material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, metal halides, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the plastic matrix is formed into separate cells and wherein each of the separate cells is attached to a corresponding photodetector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the plastic matrix is cut into separate cells and wherein each of the separate cells is attached to a corresponding photodetector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the plastic matrix is isotropic and the isotropic alignment of the plastic matrix generally directs light from the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material toward the one or more photodetectors attached to the plastic matrix. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the plastic matrix is isotropic and the isotropic alignment of the plastic matrix generally suppresses light transmission in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the surfaces of the one or more photodetectors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The scintillation detection system of claim 12 wherein the one or more photodetectors comprise at least one of photomultiplier tubes, photodiodes, phototransistors, or charge coupled array devices. ### Claim 21 A radiation detection and analysis system comprising: a scintillation detection system comprising: a scintillator including: a plastic matrix; and nano-scale particles of a scintillation material, wherein a coating comprising a small molecule ligand is disposed on each nano-scale particle, the ligand comprising trioctylphosphine oxide or trialkoxysilane, and wherein the coated nano-scale particles are embedded in the plastic matrix; a light detection apparatus attached to the scintillator and configured to generate signals in response to photons generated by the scintillator; and a signal processing system configured to analyze the signals generated by the scintillation detection system. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The radiation detection and analysis system of claim 21 wherein the radiation detection and analysis system comprises one of a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging device, a computer-aided tomography (CT) imaging device, a single positron emission computed tomography (SPECT) system, a mammography system, a tomosynthesis system, or a general X-ray based radiography system. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The radiation detection and analysis system of claim 21 wherein the radiation detection and analysis system comprises a security scanner for the detection of radioactive contraband. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The radiation detection and analysis system of claim 21 wherein the radiation detection and analysis system comprises a radiation detector for subterranean use. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The radiation detection and analysis system of claim 21 wherein the plastic matrix comprises nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide in a sufficient amount to increase the refractive index of the plastic matrix to match the refractive index of the scintillation material. ### Claim 26 (depends on 21) The radiation detection and analysis system of claim 21 wherein the plastic matrix comprises at least one of an isotropic thermoplastic resin, an anisotropic thermoplastic resin, an isotropic thermoset resin, or an anisotropic thermoset resin. ### Claim 27 (depends on 21) The radiation detection and analysis system of claim 21 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, metal halides, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 28 A method for manufacturing a scintillation detector comprises: coating nano-scale particles with a small molecule ligand comprising trioctylphosphine oxide or trialkoxysilane, wherein the nano-scale particles comprise a scintillation material; embedding the nano-scale particles in a plastic matrix; and attaching a photodetector system to the plastic matrix, wherein the photodetector system comprises one or more elements configured to convert photons to electrical signals. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the plastic matrix comprises at least one of an isotropic thermoplastic resin, an anisotropic thermoplastic resin, an isotropic thermoset resin, or an anisotropic thermoset resin. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the plastic matrix comprises nano-scale particles of titanium dioxide in an amount sufficient to increase the refractive index of the plastic matrix to match the refractive index of the scintillation material. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the plastic matrix comprises at least one of polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyurethane, polyacrylate, polyamide, polymethyl pentene, cellulose based polymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), phenol formaldehyde resin, poly N-vinyl carbazole, liquid crystalline polymer (LOP), polysiloxane, polyphosphazene, polyimides, epoxides, phenolic resins, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillator material are less than about 100 nm in size. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise a material selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal oxyhalides, metal oxysulfides, metal halides, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise at least one phosphor having a general formula of (Y,Gd)2O3:Eu; Y2SiO5:Ce; Y2Si2O7:Ce; LuAlO3:Ce; Lu2SiO5:Ce; Gd2SiO5:Ce; YAlO3:Ce; ZnO:Ga; CdWO4; LuPO4:Ce; PbWO4; Bi4Ge3O12; CaWO4; Gd2O2S:Tb; Gd2O2S:Pr; (RE)3Al5O12:Ce, wherein RE is at least one rare earth metal; or combinations thereof. ### Claim 35 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise at least one a phosphor having a general formula of LaOX:Tb; wherein X is selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 36 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise a phosphor having the general formula [La(1-x)Cex][Cl(1-y-z)Br(y-z)lz]3, wherein 0≧x≧1; 0≧(1-y-z)≧1; 0≧z≧1; and 0≧(y-z)≧1. ### Claim 37 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise a phosphor having a general formula of MXn:Y; wherein M comprises at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of La, Na, K, Rb, Cs and combinations thereof; X comprises at least one halide ion selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, Br, I, and combinations thereof; Y comprises at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of Tl, Tb, Na, Ce, Pr, Eu, and combinations thereof; and n is an integer between 1 and 4, inclusive. ### Claim 38 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material comprise at least one phosphor having a general formula of LaCl3:Ce, RbGd2F7:Ce, CeF3, BaF2, Csl(Na), CaF2:Eu, LiI:Eu, OsI, CsF, Csl:Tl, Nal:Tl, CdS:In, ZnS, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 39 (depends on 28) The scintillator of claim 28 wherein the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material are coated with at least one of plastic resin or an organic compound prior to incorporation into the plastic matrix. ### Claim 40 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the one or more photodetectors comprise at least one of photomultiplier tubes, photodiodes, phototransistors, or charge coupled array devices. ### Claim 41 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the plastic matrix is formed into separate cells and wherein each of the separate cells is attached to a corresponding element in the one or more elements of the photodetector system. ### Claim 42 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the plastic matrix is cut into separate cells and wherein each of the separate cells is attached to a corresponding elements in the one or more elements of the photodetector system. ### Claim 43 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the plastic matrix is isotropic, and the isotropic alignment of the plastic matrix generally directs light from the nano-scale particles of the scintillation material toward the one or more photodetectors attached to the plastic matrix. ### Claim 44 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28 wherein the plastic matrix is isotropic and the isotropic alignment of the plastic matrix generally suppresses light transmission in a substantially horizontal direction relative to the surfaces of the one or more photodetectors.