US6087663A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Segmented scintillation detector for encoding the coordinates of photon interactions
Assignee: TRIUMF
•
Filing: 1998-02-05
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Granted: 2000-07-11
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Expires: 2018-02-05
Abstract
Abstract Light guides (1) capable of encoding the transverse and longitudinal coordinates of light emission induced by the interaction of photons in an array of a plurality of the light guides. Each light guide has at least two discrete crystal segments (4) adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the light guide (1). Between adjacent segments is a boundary layer (7) having less light transmission than the light transmission of the crystal segments (4). A light absorbing mask (8) increases light adsorption in a segment (4). Photons enter the light guide (1) and cause the emission of scintillation light which is delivered in different and resolvable quantities to light sensing devices. The differences in quantity of delivered light is caused by successive decreases in light in part by the boundary layers (7). The differences in quantity of light establish the segment from which the light emission took place.
Inventors
- 👤 Christian Moisan
- 👤 Mark S. Andreaco
- 👤 Sebastian Paquet
- 👤 Joel G. Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/2002; G01T1/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
In an apparatus for determining the X, Y and Z positions of a point of photon-induced light emission in an array of a plurality of scintillating light guides made of a scintillating compound, said apparatus having at least one photodetector disposed in registry with a light transmitting end of each light guide, and an analyzer for analyzing from signals produced by the photodetector the X and Y coordinates of photon-induced light emissions within the array of light guides, the improvement comprising: (1) each light guide having a plurality of discrete crystal segments made of substantially the same scintillating compound with each segment adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the each light guide; (2) a boundary layer between at least two of the crystal segments, said boundary layer having a light transmission loss such that light emission from a segment of the each light guide can be distinguished, and wherein the boundary layer has an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the crystal segments; and (3) a discriminator for comparing light values received by the at least one photodetector to determine which crystal segment of the each light guide emitted the photon-induced light and thus determining a Z coordinate thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
In an apparatus for determining the X, Y and Z positions of a point of photon-induced light emission in an array of a plurality of scintillating light guides made of a scintillating compound, said apparatus having at least one photodetector disposed in registry with a light transmitting end of each light guide, and an analyzer for analyzing from signals produced by the photodetector the X and Y coordinates of photon-induced light emissions within the array of light guides, the improvement comprising: (1) each light guide having a plurality of discrete crystal segments made of substantially the same scintillating compound with each segment adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the each light guide; (2) a boundary layer between at least two of the crystal segments, said boundary layer having a light transmission loss such that light emission from a segment of the each light guide can be distinguished, and wherein the boundary layer has an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the crystal segments; and (3) a discriminator for comparing light values received by the at least one photodetector to determine which crystal segment of the each light guide emitted the photon-induced light and thus determining a Z coordinate thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the light guides have at least three segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the loss of light through the boundary layer itself is at least 1.2%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the loss of light effected by the boundary layer is at least equal to an intrinsic fractional energy resolution of the scintillator compound when measured with photons of given energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a photon receiving end of the light guide has a light absorbing mask at least partially disposed thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the light adsorbing mask is essentially totally disposed over the receiving end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the index of refraction of the boundary layer is less than the index of refraction of the crystal segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each segment has a height such that there is an equal probability for photon-induced light emitting from each segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each segment has the same height.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boundary layer contains a light absorbent or a light reflectant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boundary layer is a glue and adheres the segments together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
A scintillating light guide for determining the X, Y and Z positions of a point of photon-induced light emission, comprising: (1) a plurality of discrete crystal segments made of substantially the same scintillating compound with each segment being adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the light guide; and (2) a boundary layer between at least two adjacent crystal segments, said boundary layer having a light transmission loss such that light emissions from a segment of the light guide can be distinguished, and wherein the boundary layer has an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the crystal segments.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
A scintillating light guide for determining the X, Y and Z positions of a point of photon-induced light emission, comprising: (1) a plurality of discrete crystal segments made of substantially the same scintillating compound with each segment being adjacently disposed along a common longitudinal axis of the light guide; and (2) a boundary layer between at least two adjacent crystal segments, said boundary layer having a light transmission loss such that light emissions from a segment of the light guide can be distinguished, and wherein the boundary layer has an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the crystal segments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein adjacent ends of adjacent segments have surfaces not in a perpendicular plane with respect to a longitudinal axis of the light guide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The light guide of claim 13, wherein adjacent segments have planar surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light guide of claim 14, wherein an end of a segment is composed of a plurality of planar surfaces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light guide of claim 14, wherein the end of a segment is irregularly shaped.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light guide of claim 13, wherein at least one planar surface is at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light guide of claim 12 wherein the light guides have at least three segments.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein the loss of light effected by the boundary layer is at least equal to an intrinsic fractional energy resolution of the scintillator compound when measured with photons of a given energy.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein the loss of light through the boundary layer is at least 1.2%.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light guide of claim 20, wherein a photon receiving end has a light absorbing mask at least partially disposed thereon.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light guide of claim 21, wherein the light adsorbing mask is essentially totally disposed over the receiving end.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein the index of refraction of the boundary layer is less than the index of refraction of the crystal segments.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein each segment has a height such that there is an equal probability for photon-induced light emitting from each segment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein each segment has the same height.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein the boundary layer contains a light absorbent or a light reflectant.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light guide of claim 12, wherein the boundary layer is a glue and adheres the segments together.
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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) | 2003-07-11 | 2004-01-10 | 2004-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-11 | 2008-01-10 | 2008-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-11 | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |