Lead Oxide (PbO) technology optimization

氧化铅 (PbO) 技术优化

• 批准号: 520221-2017
• 负责人: Reznik, Alla
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: Lakehead University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Engage Grants Program
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=639946
• 关键词: Lead; Oxide; PbO; technology; optimization

Direct conversion x-ray detectors opened a new era in radiation medical imaging. Indeed, state-of-the-art directconversion mammographic detectors offer supreme detectability of small breast lesions not achievable withother methods. Currently, mammographic direct conversion detectors employ a layer of amorphous selenium(a-Se) to convert x-rays into measurable signal. Although a-Se offers probably unbeatable performance formammographic applications, it is a "soft" (i.e. low atomic number Z) material and suffers from suboptimalabsorption of energetic X-rays, used in general radiography. To extend diagnostic capabilities of the directconversion detectors over radiographic and fluoroscopic energy range, a-Se has to be replaced with high Zmaterial, which can efficiently stop energetic X-rays. The applicant, Dr. Alla Reznik and her research group atLakehead University recently synthesized an amorphous lead oxide (a-PbO) which became one of the mostpromising candidates for this purpose, due to high Z of Pb, high theoretical X-ray-to-signal conversionefficiency, adequate photoconductive properties and technological compatibility with flat panel detectortechnology. Although very promising, a-PbO layers are still experimental and require technological advancesfor practical utilization. Intlvac Inc., a Canadian leader in oxide deposition technology and currently looking toenter the market of radiation-sensitive coatings. Intlvac is interested in commercial success of PbO and willcollaborate with Dr. Reznik to make detector-grade a-PbO layers. We believe that utilization of a-PbO has apotential to create the most powerful x-ray diagnostic imaging systems to the benefit of healthcare in Canadaand worldwide by allowing the dose reduction or improvement of image quality at typical exposures.

直接转换x射线探测器开启了放射医学成像的新时代。事实上，最先进的直接转换乳腺摄影探测器提供了其他方法无法实现的小乳腺病变的最高检测能力。目前，乳房摄影直接转换探测器采用非晶硒（a-Se）层将X射线转换成可测量的信号。虽然a-Se在X射线照相应用中提供了可能无与伦比的性能，但它是一种“软”（即低原子序数Z）材料，并且在一般X射线照相中使用的高能X射线的吸收次优。为了在射线照相和荧光透视能量范围内扩展直接转换探测器的诊断能力，必须用高Z材料代替a-Se，这可以有效地阻止高能X射线。申请人Alla Reznik博士和她在湖首大学的研究小组最近合成了一种非晶氧化铅（a-PbO），由于Pb的高Z、高理论X射线到信号转换效率、足够的光电导特性以及与平板探测器技术的技术兼容性，该非晶氧化铅成为用于此目的的最有希望的候选者之一。虽然非常有前途，但a-PbO层仍然是实验性的，需要技术进步才能实际应用。Intlvac Inc.，是加拿大氧化物沉积技术的领导者，目前正在寻求进入辐射敏感涂层市场。Intlvac对PbO的商业成功感兴趣，并将与Reznik博士合作制造探测器级a-PbO层。我们相信，a-PbO的利用有可能创造出最强大的X射线诊断成像系统，使加拿大和世界各地的医疗保健受益，从而降低剂量或改善典型曝光下的图像质量。