US5399877A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Radiation sensitive area detection device and method
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1994-05-06
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Granted: 1995-03-21
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Expires: 2014-05-06
Abstract
Abstract An area detection device for use with X-ray or ultraviolet radiation wherein light from an integrating device is passed through an optical fiber to fall on a phosphor-containing film which is capable of storing a diffraction pattern formed by the transmission of X-rays or ultraviolet radiation through a sample when the diffraction pattern is projected onto the film and also being capable of fluorescing in correspondence to the diffraction pattern. Fluoresced light from the film is directed back along the fiber and into the integrating device and is fed from the integrating device to a photomultiplier which sends a signal from which the diffraction pattern can be detected.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel C. Carter
- 👤 Diana L. Hecht
- 👤 William K. Witherow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2012; G01T1/2014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A radiation sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X-ray or ultraviolet radiation source, comprising: (a) a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by a pattern of incoming radiation falling on the film after deflection or transmission through a sample, and said film being capable of fluorescing to produce fluoresced light in response to stimulation from light; (b) a light integrating device; (c) a light source positioned to project light into the integrating device; (d) an optical fiber having one end positioned directly in front of the phosphor-containing film and the other end connected to the light integrating device, said fiber being capable of directing light entering the integrating device from the light source onto the phosphor-containing film so that said film fluoresces in proportion to the stored image, with said fluoresced light traveling back along the fiber to the integrating device; (e) light receiving means connected to the light integrating device for receiving fluoresced light from the integrating device and transmitting a signal corresponding to the amount of fluoresced light; and (f) signal translating means connected to the light receiving means for translating said transmitted signal to allow detection of the image stored in the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A radiation sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X-ray or ultraviolet radiation source, comprising: (a) a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by a pattern of incoming radiation falling on the film after deflection or transmission through a sample, and said film being capable of fluorescing to produce fluoresced light in response to stimulation from light; (b) a light integrating device; (c) a light source positioned to project light into the integrating device; (d) an optical fiber having one end positioned directly in front of the phosphor-containing film and the other end connected to the light integrating device, said fiber being capable of directing light entering the integrating device from the light source onto the phosphor-containing film so that said film fluoresces in proportion to the stored image, with said fluoresced light traveling back along the fiber to the integrating device; (e) light receiving means connected to the light integrating device for receiving fluoresced light from the integrating device and transmitting a signal corresponding to the amount of fluoresced light; and (f) signal translating means connected to the light receiving means for translating said transmitted signal to allow detection of the image stored in the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the light source is a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the light source is a He--Ne laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the optical fiber is capable of transmitting wavelengths in the range of 390 to 650 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the fiber is comprised of silica.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the phosphor-containing film comprises a barium fluorohalide phosphor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the barium fluorohalide phosphor is selected from the group consisting of BaFBr: Eu 2+ and BaFCl.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the phosphor-containing film fluoresces light at a wavelength of about 560 nanometers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the phosphor-containing film fluoresces light at a wavelength of about 400 nanometers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the light receiving means is a photomultiplier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the light receiving means is a photomultiplier having a peak wavelength at about 400 nanometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein integrating device has an inner coating of a reflecting paint that reflects at least about 95% of incoming light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the signal translation means comprises a discriminator capable of receiving a signal from the light-receiving means and transmitting the signal to a computer, said computer being capable of receiving the signal from the discriminator and translating the signal so as to allow detection of the image stored in the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The area detection device of claim 1 further comprising a light-proof housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The area detection device of claim 1 further comprising a secondary light source capable of illuminating the phosphor-containing film to erase the stored image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein the photomultiplier is capable of transmitting a pulsed signal in proportion to the fluoresced light emitted by said phosphor-containing film.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
The area detection device of claim 16 wherein the signal translation means comprises a pulse discriminator that is capable of receiving a pulsed signal from the photomultiplier, a counting circuit which is capable of counting the pulsed signals received by the pulse discriminator and sending the count to a computer, said computer being capable of receiving the count from said counting circuit so as to allow detection of the stored image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The area detection device of claim 17 wherein the computer is capable of generating the stored image, snoring said image and performing further numerical analysis on said image after receiving the count from said counting circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The area detection device of claim 1 wherein said one end of the fiber is held in a spring-loaded holder capable of moving said one end of the fiber across the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The area detection device of claim 19 wherein the holder contains a pinhole through which the light passing through the optical fiber is directed onto the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The area detection device of claim 20 wherein the holder is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The area detection device of claim 20 wherein the holder is made from a polished metal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The area detection device of claim 20 wherein the holder is made of metal coated with polytytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The area detection device of claim 20 wherein said holder is moveable horizontally and vertically across the phosphor-containing film.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The area detection device of claim 20 wherein the holder is moved across the phosphor-containing film by means of a servo motor-driven stage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The area detection device of claim 20 wherein said holder is moved by means of a stepping motor-driven stage.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
192 words
A radiation-sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X-ray or ultraviolet radiation source, comprising (a) a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by a of incoming radiation falling on the film after deflection or transmission through a sample, said film also being capable of fluorescing in response to stimulation from light, said fluorescence being directly proportional to the stored image; (b) an integrating cylinder; (c) a light source positioned to project light into the integrating cylinder; (d) an optical fiber having one end positioned in front of the film and the other end connected to the integrating cylinder, said optical fiber being capable of directing light from the integrating cylinder onto the phosphor-containing film to cause said film to fluoresce in proportion to the stored image and also being capable or directing the fluoresced light back along the fiber to the integrating cylinder; and (e) signal processing mean comprising a light receiving means capable of receiving the fluoresced light from the integrating cylinder and transmitting a signal corresponding to the amount of fluoresced light from the phosphor-containing film to allow detection of the stored image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
192 words
A radiation-sensitive area detection device for use in conjunction with an X-ray or ultraviolet radiation source, comprising (a) a phosphor-containing film capable of receiving and storing an image formed by a of incoming radiation falling on the film after deflection or transmission through a sample, said film also being capable of fluorescing in response to stimulation from light, said fluorescence being directly proportional to the stored image; (b) an integrating cylinder; (c) a light source positioned to project light into the integrating cylinder; (d) an optical fiber having one end positioned in front of the film and the other end connected to the integrating cylinder, said optical fiber being capable of directing light from the integrating cylinder onto the phosphor-containing film to cause said film to fluoresce in proportion to the stored image and also being capable or directing the fluoresced light back along the fiber to the integrating cylinder; and (e) signal processing mean comprising a light receiving means capable of receiving the fluoresced light from the integrating cylinder and transmitting a signal corresponding to the amount of fluoresced light from the phosphor-containing film to allow detection of the stored image.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of obtaining an image of the diffraction pattern caused by the deflection or transmission of X-ray or ultraviolet radiation through a sample, comprising the steps of (a) directing X-ray or ultraviolet radiation through a sample so that a radiation diffraction pattern from the sample falls upon a phosphor-containing film capable of retaining the image of the diffraction pattern and fluorescing light corresponding to that pattern in response to stimulation by light; and (b) illuminating the phosphor-containing film with light by means of an optical fiber that receives light from a light source and directs it onto the phosphor-containing film so that the film fluoresces light in a pattern corresponding to the diffraction pattern of the sample and the fluoresced light travels back along the optical fiber to an integrating sphere which directs the fluoresced light to a signal processing means where the fluoresced light is received and translated so as to allow detection of the stored image.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
159 words
A method of obtaining an image of the diffraction pattern caused by the deflection or transmission of X-ray or ultraviolet radiation through a sample, comprising the steps of (a) directing X-ray or ultraviolet radiation through a sample so that a radiation diffraction pattern from the sample falls upon a phosphor-containing film capable of retaining the image of the diffraction pattern and fluorescing light corresponding to that pattern in response to stimulation by light; and (b) illuminating the phosphor-containing film with light by means of an optical fiber that receives light from a light source and directs it onto the phosphor-containing film so that the film fluoresces light in a pattern corresponding to the diffraction pattern of the sample and the fluoresced light travels back along the optical fiber to an integrating sphere which directs the fluoresced light to a signal processing means where the fluoresced light is received and translated so as to allow detection of the stored image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of directing the fluoresced light from the integrating sphere to a photomultiplier which receives the fluoresced light and transmits a signal corresponding to the pattern of the fluoresced light.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of transmitting the signal from the photomultiplier to a discriminator and a computer so that the diffraction pattern from the sample is detected.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the illuminating step further comprises moving the optical fiber horizontally and vertically across the phosphor-containing film so as to allow detection of the diffraction pattern snored in the film.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-20 | 1998-09-19 | 1999-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-20 | 2002-09-19 | 2003-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-20 | 2006-09-19 | 2007-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |