US4906893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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X-ray image intensifier and method of manufacturing the same
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1988-12-20
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Granted: 1990-03-06
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Expires: 2008-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An output phosphor film used in an output screen of an image intensifier is made of ZnS or (Zn, Cd)S host material and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, and Cl. The phosphor film is formed on a face plate by means of chemical vapor-deposition, or physical vapor deposition in an inert-gas atmosphere having a pressure of 1 Pa or more, and is heat-treated. The formed phosphor film has hexagonal (Wurtzite-type) crystal and/or cubic (sphalerite-type) crystal structure. These crystals are orientated such that the (002) planes of the hexagonal crystals and/or the (111) planes of the cubic crystals are substantially parallel to the face plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Katsuhisa Homma
- 👤 Sakae Kimura
- 👤 Masaru Nikaido
- 👤 Yoshiaki Ouchi
- 👤 Yoshiharu Obata
- 👤 Yoshikazu Uemura
- 👤 Syozo Sato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/02; G; G21; G21K; G21K4/00; C; C09; C09K; C09K11/00; C09K11/08; C09K11/58; C09K11/582; C09K11/584; C09K11/61; C09K11/611; C09K11/612; C09K11/64; C09K11/641; C09K11/642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
An X-ray image intensifier provided with an output screen which comprises: (a) a face plate; and (b) an output phosphor film formed on the face plate and comprising at least one host material selected from the group consisting of ZnS and (Zn, Cd)S, and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, A1, and C1, the output phosphor film having at least one of hexagonal (wurtzite-type) crystal and cubic (sphalerite-type) crystal structures, (002) planes of the hexagonal crystals and (111) planes of the cubic crystals being substantially parallel to surface of the face plate, respectively.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
An X-ray image intensifier provided with an output screen which comprises: (a) a face plate; and (b) an output phosphor film formed on the face plate and comprising at least one host material selected from the group consisting of ZnS and (Zn, Cd)S, and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, A1, and C1, the output phosphor film having at least one of hexagonal (wurtzite-type) crystal and cubic (sphalerite-type) crystal structures, (002) planes of the hexagonal crystals and (111) planes of the cubic crystals being substantially parallel to surface of the face plate, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An X-ray image intensifier according to claim 1, wherein the host material is ZnS.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An X-ray image intensifier according to claim 1, wherein the host material is (Zn, Cd)S.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An X-ray image intensifier according to claim 3, wherein the mol ratio of Cd to Zn is 4 or less.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An X-ray image intensifier according to claim 1, wherein the output phosphor film has a thickness of 3000 Å to 8 μm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An X-ray image intensifier according to claim 1, wherein the output screen further comprises a metal back layer formed on the output phosphor film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
An X-ray image intensifier according to claim 1, wherein the concentration of the activator is 0.001 to 5 mol% based on the amount of the host material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
An X-ray image intensifier provided with an output screen which comprises: (a) a face plate which is transparent to specific light; (b) an output phosphor film formed on the face plate and comprising densely packed columnar crystals of a phosphor including at least one host material selected from the group consisting of ZnS and (Zn, Cd)S, and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, and Cl, the columnar crystals being at least one of hexagonal (wurtzite-type) crystal and cubic (sphalerite-type) crystal structures, and (002) planes of the hexagonal crystals and (111) planes of cubic crystals are substantially parallel to the face plate, respectively; and (c) a metal back layer formed on the output phosphor film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
123 words
An X-ray image intensifier provided with an output screen which comprises: (a) a face plate which is transparent to specific light; (b) an output phosphor film formed on the face plate and comprising densely packed columnar crystals of a phosphor including at least one host material selected from the group consisting of ZnS and (Zn, Cd)S, and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, and Cl, the columnar crystals being at least one of hexagonal (wurtzite-type) crystal and cubic (sphalerite-type) crystal structures, and (002) planes of the hexagonal crystals and (111) planes of cubic crystals are substantially parallel to the face plate, respectively; and (c) a metal back layer formed on the output phosphor film.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of manufacturing an X-ray image intensifier comprising the steps of: (a) forming an output phosphor film on a face plate by means of a chemical vapor deposition or a physical vapor deposition in an inert-gas atmosphere having a gas pressure of 1 Pa or more, the output phosphor film comprising at least one host material selected from the group consisting of ZnS and (Zn, Cd)S, and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, and Cl; and (b) heat-treating the output phosphor film.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of manufacturing an X-ray image intensifier comprising the steps of: (a) forming an output phosphor film on a face plate by means of a chemical vapor deposition or a physical vapor deposition in an inert-gas atmosphere having a gas pressure of 1 Pa or more, the output phosphor film comprising at least one host material selected from the group consisting of ZnS and (Zn, Cd)S, and at least one activator element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Au, Al, and Cl; and (b) heat-treating the output phosphor film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the host material is ZnS.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the host material is (Zn, Cd)S.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the output phosphor film is formed by means of a physical vapor deposition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein separate sources of the host material and separate sources of the activator element are used in the physical vapor deposition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 12, wherein the physical vapor deposition is resistance-heating vapor deposition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the output phosphor film is formed by means of a chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the output phosphor film is heat-treated at 500° to 1100° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 9, wherein the host material and the activator element are deposited alternately one upon another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |