US4560882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High-efficiency X-radiation converters
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1984-08-31
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-08-31
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for efficient X-ray conversion. A phosphorescent crystal element which is sensitive to X-radiation, is coated with a reflective substance on all its faces except one. X-rays impinging upon a single element, or on an array of said elements in which the uncoated faces contiguously form an emitting surface, cause the phosphorescence to be internally reflected by the coating and to be emitted from only the uncoated face, where it can be used to activate a photodetector.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Nelson
- 👤 Zoran L. Barbaric
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 01:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/202; G01T1/161; G01T1/164; G01T1/1641; G01T1/1644; G01T1/2002; G01T1/2018; G01T1/20183; G01T1/20187; G21; G21K; G21K4/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for converting incident X-radiation to visible radiation comprising: crystalline means for scintillating visible radiation in response to said incident X-radiation; and reflection means, disposed exteriorly on a portion of said crystalline means, for internally reflecting said visible radiation within said crystalline means, whereby said visible radiation is emitted by said apparatus from the portion of said crystalline means not having said exteriorly disposed reflection means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus for converting incident X-radiation to visible radiation comprising: crystalline means for scintillating visible radiation in response to said incident X-radiation; and reflection means, disposed exteriorly on a portion of said crystalline means, for internally reflecting said visible radiation within said crystalline means, whereby said visible radiation is emitted by said apparatus from the portion of said crystalline means not having said exteriorly disposed reflection means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said crystalline means comprises: a solid crystal phosphorescent element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said crystal phosphorescent element is selected from the group comprising: CdWO 4 , BGO, CsI:Tl, CsI:Na, CaWO 4 , NaCl:Tl.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said crystalline means comprises: a vapor-deposited, crystal phosphorescent element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said crystal phosphorescent element is selected from the group compising: CsI:Tl, CsI:Na, CdWO 4 .
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said crystalline means comprises: a plurality of granular phosphorescent crystals; and means for binding the granules together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said plurality of granular crystals is selected from the group comprising: Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb, Gd 2 O 2 S:Eu, Y 2 O 2 S:Tb, Y 2 O 2 S:Eu, La 2 O 2 S:Tb, (Zn, Cd)S:Ag.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said crystalline means is in the shape of a polyhedron.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said crystalline means is in the shape of a prism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said crystalline means is in the shape of a parallelepiped.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as defined in claims 8, 9, or 10, wherein said reflection means is disposed upon each surface of said shaped crystalline means except one surface, whereby said visible radiation is emitted only by said one surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said reflection means comprises: an X-radiation transparent, thin film means which is reflective of visible radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said thin film means is composed of an aluminum or silver compound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said reflection means comprises: a thin film means composed of a material having a low index of refraction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said material comprises: MgF 2 or NaF 2 or CaF 2 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said air gap is filled with a material having a low index of refraction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said light barrier means comprises: at least two wall means, oriented in planes generally perpendicular to said portion where visible radiation is emitted, for forming an air gap in said crystalline means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising: light barrier means, disposed within said crystalline means, for channelling said visible radiation to said portion of said crystalline means not having said exteriorly disposed reflection means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for converting X-radiation to visible radiation comprising: a plurality of X-radiation sensitive phosphorescent means, each having a plurality of faces, for intercepting incident X-radiation and for producing visible radiation in response thereto; and reflecting means, disposed on all except one of said faces of each of said phosphorescent means, for internally reflecting said visible radiation, whereby, when said phosphorescent means are disposed in an array in which said face not having said reflection means of each of said phosphorescent means are made continguous, said visible radiation is internally reflected and emitted from only one surface of the array formed by said continguous faces.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for converting X-radiation to visible radiation comprising: a plurality of X-radiation sensitive phosphorescent means, each having a plurality of faces, for intercepting incident X-radiation and for producing visible radiation in response thereto; and reflecting means, disposed on all except one of said faces of each of said phosphorescent means, for internally reflecting said visible radiation, whereby, when said phosphorescent means are disposed in an array in which said face not having said reflection means of each of said phosphorescent means are made continguous, said visible radiation is internally reflected and emitted from only one surface of the array formed by said continguous faces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said array of elements is disposed in two-dimensions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |