Solid State Gamma Ray Imaging Detectors, Novel Packaging

描述（由申请人提供）：提出了像素化碲锌镉（CZT）伽马射线成像阵列探测器组件的现有技术的进步，其中它们在室温探测器中的能量和空间分辨率的优点可以在诸如用于体内成像和核医学的大面积阵列的应用中以最小的成本和风险被利用。 更具体地说，目的是通过将最近开发的倒装芯片封装和生产技术应用于CZT-ASIC读出组件来生产成像研究界的检测器阵列。该方法涉及特殊的金属化和封装的设备之前，组装，以及低温凸点焊接技术。这些将用于廉价地大量复制亚利桑那大学开发的多个CZT伽马射线探测器阵列。将特别强调与探测器材料的加工有关的技术方面，以便以低成本大量生产。新技术的实施旨在扩大到大规模生产。 直接的商业机会是为研究界提供可靠的功能成像阵列检测器组件供应。这些器件可应用于平面成像、SPECT成像系统以及作为手术探针。一些可能的应用是乳房X线摄影、临床心脏病学、体内自动放射摄影、神经科学研究和淋巴系统成像。小动物体内基因表达研究具有巨大的潜力。除了医疗和生物用途之外，NASA还需要探测器阵列用于恒星X射线和伽马射线成像系统。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Proposed is advancement of the state-of-the-art for pixilated Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) gamma ray imaging array detector assemblies to where their advantages of energy and spatial resolution in a room temperature detector may be exploited with minimal cost and risk in applications such as large area arrays for in vivo imaging and nuclear medicine. More specifically, the aim is to produce detector arrays for the imaging research community by applying to CZT-ASIC readout assemblies recently-developed techniques for packaging and production of flip chips. The approach involves special metallizations and encapsulation of the devices prior to assembly, as well as low-temperature bump soldering techniques. These will be used to inexpensively reproduce, in quantity, multiple CZT-gamma ray detector arrays which were developed at the University of Arizona. Particular emphasis will be placed on those technological aspects that relate to processing of the detector materials for manufacturing in large quantity at low cost. The new techniques will be implemented with the aim of scaling up to large-scale production. The immediate commercial opportunity is in supplying the research community a reliable supply of functional imaging array detector assemblies. These devices have applications in planar imaging, SPECT imaging systems, and as surgical probes. Some possible applications are mammography, clinical cardiology, in vivo auto radiography, neuroscience studies, and lymphatic system imaging. There exists a huge potential for in vivo gene expression studies in small animals. Outside of medial and biological uses, detector arrays are needed by NASA for stellar X-and gamma ray imaging systems.