X-ray detector fabrication methods and apparatus therefrom

A CT system comprising:

• a x-ray source configured to emit x-rays;
• a x-ray detector positioned to receive x-rays emitted by said source;
• and
• a computer operationally coupled to said source and detector, said detector comprising primarily a nanometer sized powder sintered with a grain size of less than 10μ;
• wherein the powder comprises one of Y—Gd—Eu—O:Pr and GGG (Gd—Ga—O:Cr).

The CT system of 11, wherein the detector is manufactured by the steps of:

• making a precursor solution consisting of compounds that do not include an oxide;
• stabilizing the precursor solution;
• heating the solution to form a gel;
• drying the gel to form a dry powder;
• milling the dry powder;
• calcining the milled dry powder;
• and
• forming an x-ray detector from calcined and milled dry powder.

A method comprising fabricating an energy detector using a sol-gel process;

• the sol-gel process comprising:
• making a precursor solution using one or more acetate hydrate compounds;
• forming a gel from the precursor solution;
• and
• forming a nanometer-sized ceramic powder from the gel,
• wherein the powder comprises one of Y—Gd—Eu—O:Pr and GGG (Gd—Ga—O:Cr).

A CT system comprising:

• an x-ray source configured to emit x-rays;
• a x-ray detector positioned to receive x-rays emitted by the source;
• and
• a computer operationally coupled to the source and detector, the detector comprising a nanometer sized powder sintered with a grain size of less than 10μ;
• wherein the powder comprises one of Y—Gd—Eu—O:Pr and GGG (Gd—Ga—O:Cr).