Patent ID: 6087663
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: G01T

Abstract:
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.