X-ray detector, a corresponding x-ray imaging device and a method for improving the resolution of a scintillator-based x-ray detector

A method of improving the resolution of an x-ray detector having a columnar scintillator and a semiconductor readout circuit coupled to said columnar scintillator, said method comprising the steps of:

• estimating a misalignment of the columns of the columnar scintillator with respect to the direction of incoming x-rays;
• and
• correcting for the estimated misalignment,
• wherein said step of estimating a misalignment comprises the step of using a laser, diode or other source of photons with lower energy than x-ray to determine the required shift in position of the x-ray detector to correct for the misalignment.

An x-ray imaging system comprising:

• an x-ray source configured for producing radiation in the form of x-rays;
• x-ray optics configured for focusing the radiation from said x-ray source, and arranged before an object to be imaged so that the focused x-ray radiation passes the object to be imaged;
• an x-ray detector arranged after the object to be imaged and configured for registering the focused radiation from said x-ray optics that has passed the object to be imaged, wherein said x-ray detector comprises:
• a columnar scintillator having a number of columns;
• a semiconductor readout circuit directly coupled to said columnar scintillator;
• and
• means for providing a detector resolution that is independent of scintillator thickness.