US5952665A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composite nanophosphor screen for detecting radiation
Assignee: Nanocrystals Technology LP
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Filing: 1997-11-28
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Granted: 1999-09-14
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Expires: 2017-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A composite phosphor screen for converting radiation, such as X-rays, into visible light. The screen includes a planar surface, which can be formed from glass, silicon or metal, which has etched therein a multiplicity of closely spaced nanochannels having diameters of the order of 5 microns or less. Deposited within each of the nanochannels is a multiplicity of nanocrystalline phosphors, having diameters of less than 100 nanometers and preferably less than 10 nanometers, which emit light when acted upon by radiation. The walls of the nanochannels are arranged to reflect the light emitted by the nanophoshors down the nanochannels to suitable light collecting device such as film or an electronic device. This minimizes light scattering and increases light collection efficiency.
Inventors
- 👤 Rameshwar Nath Bhargava
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G21; G21K; G21K4/00; G21K2004/06; G21K2004/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A composite phosphor screen for the conversion of radiation impinging thereon to visible light, comprising: a) a substrate having a planar surface; b) a multiplicity of nanochannels extending into the surface of the substrate, said nanochannels having a diameter of less than 5 microns, c) a multiplicity of nanocrystalline phosphors having diameters of less than 100 nanometers disposed in each of said nanochannels, said nanocrystalline phosphors emitting visible light when exposed to radiation, and d) said nanochannels being arranged so as to optically guide the light emitted by said nanocrystalline phosphors along said nanochannels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A composite phosphor screen for the conversion of radiation impinging thereon to visible light, comprising: a) a substrate having a planar surface; b) a multiplicity of nanochannels extending into the surface of the substrate, said nanochannels having a diameter of less than 5 microns, c) a multiplicity of nanocrystalline phosphors having diameters of less than 100 nanometers disposed in each of said nanochannels, said nanocrystalline phosphors emitting visible light when exposed to radiation, and d) said nanochannels being arranged so as to optically guide the light emitted by said nanocrystalline phosphors along said nanochannels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The screen as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of glass, silicon and metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The screen as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanocrystalline phosphors emit light upon exposure to X-rays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The screen as claimed in claim 3, wherein the nanocrystalline phosphors have diameters of less than 10 nanometers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The screen as claimed in claim 1, further including means for collecting the visible light emitted by the nanocrystalline phosphors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The screen as claimed in claim 5, wherein the light collecting means comprise electronic means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The screen as claimed in claim 5, wherein the electronic light collecting means are integrated with the substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The screen as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phosphors include a host material and a dopant material, with the host material being selected from the group consisting of Y2O3, Gd2O3, GdO2S, ZnO, ZnS and PbO.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The screen as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phosphors include a host material and a dopant material, with the dopant material being selected form the group consisting of Eu, Tb, Tm and Mn.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The screen as claimed in claim 1, wherein different phosphors are disposed in different areas of the substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The screen as claimed in claim 1 wherein the nanocrystalline phosphors have a refractive index greater than that of the walls of the nanochannels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composite phosphor screen as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanochannels have aspect ratios of from 50:1 to 1000:1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The composite phosphor screen as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanocrystalline phosphors include a host material and a dopant material, with the host material being selected form the group consisting of Y2O3, Gd2O3, GdO2S, ZnO, ZnS and PbO; and the dopant material being selected from the group consisting of Eu, Tb, Tm and Mn.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for producing a composite phosphor screen for converting radiation into visible radiation, comprising the steps of: a) providing a substrate having at least one planar surface; b) etching a multiplicity of nanochannels in the planar surface in the substrate, said nanochannels having diameters of less than 5 microns; and c) depositing a multiplicity of nanocrystalline phosphors in each of said nanochannels, said nanocrystalline phosphors having diameters of less than 100 nanometers.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for producing a composite phosphor screen for converting radiation into visible radiation, comprising the steps of: a) providing a substrate having at least one planar surface; b) etching a multiplicity of nanochannels in the planar surface in the substrate, said nanochannels having diameters of less than 5 microns; and c) depositing a multiplicity of nanocrystalline phosphors in each of said nanochannels, said nanocrystalline phosphors having diameters of less than 100 nanometers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, further including the step of annealing the substrate after the nanocrystalline phosphors have been deposited so as to form said nanocrystalline phosphors into quantum wires.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as claimed in claim 14, further including the step of masking off a portion of the nanochannels prior to depositing the nanocrystalline phosphors in the unmasked nanochannels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
102 words
A composite phosphor screen for high resolution medical imaging applications for the conversion of X-ray radiation impinging thereon to visible light, comprising: a) a substrate having a planar surface; b) a multiplicity of nanochannels extending into the surface of the substrate, said nanochannels having a diameter from 0.05 to 5 microns, c) a multiplicity of nanocrystalline phosphors having diameters of less than 100 nanometers disposed in each of said nanochannels, said nanocrystalline phosphors emitting visible light when exposed to X-ray radiation, and d) said nanochannels being arranged so as to optically guide the light emitted by said nanocrystalline phosphors along said nanochannels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
102 words
A composite phosphor screen for high resolution medical imaging applications for the conversion of X-ray radiation impinging thereon to visible light, comprising: a) a substrate having a planar surface; b) a multiplicity of nanochannels extending into the surface of the substrate, said nanochannels having a diameter from 0.05 to 5 microns, c) a multiplicity of nanocrystalline phosphors having diameters of less than 100 nanometers disposed in each of said nanochannels, said nanocrystalline phosphors emitting visible light when exposed to X-ray radiation, and d) said nanochannels being arranged so as to optically guide the light emitted by said nanocrystalline phosphors along said nanochannels.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composite phosphor screen as claimed in claim 17, wherein the nanocrystalline phosphors have diameters of less than 10 nanometers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composite phosphor screen as claimed in claim 17, wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of glass, silicon and metal.
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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) | 2002-09-13 | 2003-03-15 | 2003-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-13 | 2007-03-15 | 2007-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-13 | 2011-03-15 | 2011-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |