OPTICAL CERAMIC SCINTILLATORS FOR DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY

我们建议开发一个数字射线照相传感器，基于一个完整的 一种致密的透明光学陶瓷，由掺杂有 合适的发光镧系元素离子。 我们已经制作了，由 热压技术，掺杂Eu或Tb的透明样品， 表明它们各自的红色和绿色排放强烈 由X射线辐射激发。 该氧化物具有9.5g/cm 3的密度， 在10和64 keV之间的平滑吸收（无K边缘），优于 任何已知的材料，例如CsI或Gd 2 O2 S。 它具有理想的特性 与牙科X射线管匹配 探测器层的厚度 将在100到200微米之间。 相同的材料，但不同 几何配置可用于X射线CAT扫描仪，还 超越了当今材料的性能。 第一阶段将寻求 为了改进陶瓷制造（可能探索替代烧结 技术）和表征性能（光输出，衰减， 发射光谱）。在第一阶段之后，我们看到两个不同的推力， 对牙科应用，其他对CAT。细分的 陶瓷将是一个重要方面。 我们认为， 将产生比现在更好的X射线闪烁体材料 available. 建议的商业应用 因为目前可用的X射线荧光屏不能提供 必要的空间分辨率，医学射线照相一直无法挖掘 数据采集数字技术的全部潜力， 处理. 开发一种能够满足这一需求的材料将 彻底改变放射技术，并大大提高其 诊断能力 直接市场包括牙科和 断层成像，并可能扩展到几乎每一个X射线 机器现在使用。

We propose to develop a digital radiography sensor, based on a fully dense transparent optical ceramic consisting of Lu2O3 doped with an appropriate luminescent lanthanide ion. We have already fabricated, by hot pressing techniques, transparent samples doped with Eu or Tb, and demonstrated that their respective red and green emissions are strongly excited by X-ray irradiation. The oxide has a density of 9.5 g/cm3 and a smooth absorption (free of K edges) between 10 and 64 keV, better than any known material, such as CsI or Gd2O2S. It has ideal characteristics for a match to a dental X-ray tube. The thickness of the detector layer will be between 100 and 200 microns. The same material but of different geometrical configuration can be used for X-ray CAT scanners, also surpassing the performance of present day materials. Phase I will seek to improve ceramic fabrication (possibly exploring alternative sintering techniques) and to characterize performance (light output, decay, emission spectra). Beyond Phase I we see two different thrusts, one towards dental applications, the other towards CAT. Segmentation of the ceramic will be an important aspect. We believe that the proposed work will result in better X-ray scintillator materials than any now available. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION Because currently available X-ray phosphor screens cannot provide the necessary spatial resolution, medical radiography has been unable to tap the full potential of digital techniques for data acquisition and processing. The development of a material that can fill this need will revolutionize radiological techniques and greatly enhance their diagnostic power. The immediate market includes both dental and tomographic imaging, and potentially extends to virtually every X-ray machine now in use.