Scintillator array, a scintillator, a radiation detection apparatus including the scintillator array or scintillator, and processes of forming the same

A scintillator can include a photosensor surface and a side surface adjacent to the photosensor surface. The photosensor surface can be adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor. In an embodiment, the scintillator can have grooves along the side surface, wherein the grooves have lengths extending in a direction toward the photosensor surface. In another embodiment, the scintillator can include a reflector and a clear adhesive between the scintillator and reflector. In a particular embodiment, the reflector is substantially white and has a gloss value of at least 50. The scintillator can be in the form of a scintillator element of an array or in the form of a single scintillator. The scintillator can be coupled to a photosensor within a radiation detection apparatus. For an array, a process of forming the array can include forming grooves along one or more side surfaces during a fabrication process.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to scintillator arrays, scintillators, radiation detection apparatuses including the scintillator arrays or scintillators, and processes of forming the same.

BACKGROUND

Radiation detection apparatuses are used in a variety of applications. For example, radiation detector apparatuses can include scintillator arrays that can be used for imaging applications, such as a medical diagnostic apparatus, or a security screening apparatus, military applications, or the like. Further improvement of radiation detection apparatuses is desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “immediately adjacent” with respect to two particular items within an array is intended to mean that no other similar item is disposed between the two particular items. For example, in a scintillator array of scintillator elements, two immediately adjacent scintillator elements may contact or be spaced apart from each other; however, no other scintillator element is disposed between the two immediately adjacent scintillator elements. Note that air, a reflective sheet, a filling material, or the like may be disposed between the two immediately adjacent scintillator elements.

The term “photosensor surface,” with respect to a scintillator element, is intended to mean a surface coupled to or intended to be coupled to a photosensor. The term “side surface,” with respect to a scintillator element, is intended to mean a surface adjacent to the photosensor surface.

The term “rare earth” or “rare earth element” is intended to mean Y, Sc, and the Lanthanides (La to Lu) in the Periodic Table of the Elements. In chemical formulas, a rare earth element will be represented by “RE.”

The use of “a” or “an” is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise.

Scintillator elements within a pixel array or a scintillator can have a photosensor surface adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor. In an embodiment, substantially white reflective sheets can be between pairs of scintillator elements, and a clear adhesive can be disposed between the reflective sheets and the scintillator elements. In a particular embodiment, the reflective sheets can have a gloss value of at least approximately 50. In a further embodiment, the scintillator elements or scintillator can include grooves along one or more sides of the scintillator elements or scintillator. The grooves can have lengths in a direction toward the photosensor surface. The substantially white reflective sheets, clear adhesive, grooves, or any combination thereof can help improve the light output from the scintillator elements or the scintillator, which in turn can help improve the signal-to-noise ratio when optically coupled to a photosensor in a radiation detection apparatus.

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of a radiation detection apparatus10. The radiation detection apparatus can be a medical imaging apparatus, a well logging apparatus, a security inspection apparatus, a neutron detection apparatus, military applications, or the like.

In the embodiment illustrated, the radiation detection apparatus10includes an array12of scintillator elements122, an array14of photosensors142, and a control module16. The array12includes scintillator elements122and a backing material124. The scintillator elements122can include an inorganic scintillator material, such as a rare earth or other metal halide; a rare earth sulfide, oxysulfide, germinate, silicate (for example, an oxyorthosilicate, a pyrosilicate, or the like); a garnet; CdWO4; CaWO4; ZnS; ZnO; ZnCdS; another suitable scintillator material; or the like. In a particular embodiment, the scintillator elements122can include a lutetium oxyorthosilicate, lutetium yttrium oxyorthosilicate, a rare earth aluminum garnet, a cesium iodide, or an elpasolite. The scintillator material can be polycrystalline or substantially monocrystalline. In an embodiment, the scintillator elements122can generate scintillating light when the scintillator elements122capture the targeted radiation. In a particular embodiment, the targeted radiation can include gamma radiation, x-rays, neutrons, another suitable radiation, or any combination thereof. Scintillating light from the scintillator elements122pass through their photosensor surfaces120, and thus the photosensor surfaces120can provide scintillating light to the photosensors142.

The backing material124can be substantially transparent to the targeted radiation. In an embodiment, the backing material124may be substantially opaque to the scintillating light. In this manner, ambient light from outside the radiation detection apparatus10is less likely to be misinterpreted by the array14of photosensors142or the control module16as being scintillating light. The backing material124can include a plastic, such as epoxy, polypropylene, another polymer, or any combination thereof. The backing material124itself may be reflective or a reflective material may be disposed between the scintillator elements122and the backing material124. Further, an adhesive compound may be disposed between the scintillator elements122and the backing material124, if needed or desired. The adhesive compound can be reflective or optically transparent or translucent to scintillating light. The shapes, sizes, and spacings for the scintillator elements122within the array12are discussed in more detail later in this specification.

The array14includes photosensors142and a substrate144. The scintillator elements122are optically coupled to the photosensors142. A substantially transparent material130can be disposed between the scintillator elements122and the photosensors142. The material130can be in the form of a solid, a liquid, or a gas. In another embodiment, not illustrated, the scintillator elements122can contact the photosensors142. The ratio of scintillator elements122to photosensors142can be 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, or even higher.

The photosensors142can include photomultiplier tubes, semiconductor-based photomultipliers, hybrid photosensors, or any combination thereof. The photosensors142can receive photons emitted by the scintillator elements122and then produce electronic pulses corresponding to photons that are received. In a particular embodiment, the substrate144can include electrical connectors for the photosensors142, a printed wiring board for routing electronic signals, or the like.

The photosensors142are electrically coupled to the control module16. In the embodiment as illustrated, the photosensors142are bi-directionally coupled to the control module16, and in another embodiment (not illustrated), the photosensors142are uni-directionally coupled to the control module16. Electronic pulses from the photosensors142can be shaped, digitized, analyzed, or any combination thereof by the control module16to provide a count of the photons received at the photosensors142and produce information for an image or other purposes. The control module16can include an amplifier, a pre-amplifier, a discriminator, an analog-to-digital signal converter, a photon counter, another electronic component, or any combination thereof. The control module16can include logic to determine the location of the particular scintillating element or scintillator elements receiving targeted radiation based on the electronic pulses, or a lack thereof, and based at least in part on electronic pulses provided by the photosensors142. An image may be generated from the location and intensity information from the control module16.

FIG. 2includes illustration of the array12, as it would be seen by the photosensors142of the array14. Thus, the photosensor surfaces120of the scintillator elements122are seen inFIG. 2. In the embodiment as illustrated, the scintillator elements122are organized into rows and columns that lie along hypothetical lines extending in the x-direction and the y-direction. In another embodiment, a different organization may be used. The scintillator elements122are separated from one another by spaces232and spaces234. The array12can be surrounded with a white, opaque material242. In a non-limiting embodiment, the material242can include a white epoxy, a white silicone rubber, or another suitable material.

The lengths of the spaces232are illustrated as extending in the x-direction, and the lengths of spaces234are illustrated as extending in the y-direction. The lengths of the spaces232are substantially parallel to one another and are substantially perpendicular to lengths of the spaces234. Similar to the spaces232, the spaces234are substantially parallel to one another. In another embodiment, the lengths of the spaces232may lie along lines that intersect one another, and the lengths of the spaces232may intersect the lengths of the spaces234at angles other than 90°. In a particular embodiment (not illustrated), the scintillator elements122may be in the form of parallelograms, whose angles defined by two adjacent sides are acute angles or obtuse angles. Similar to the lengths of the spaces232, the lengths of the spaces234may lie along lines that intersect one another. In another particular embodiment (not illustrated), the scintillator elements122may have shapes.

As the targeted radiation is captured by a particular scintillator element122, that particular scintillator element122can emit scintillating light. In another embodiment, scintillating light may be generated by a plurality of scintillator elements122, and the intensity of scintillating light may be different between scintillator elements122. The scintillating light can be received by and converted to electronic pulses by the photosensors142, which can be used to determine the particular location where the targeted radiation was captured by the array12.

The scintillator elements122are illustrated as being rectangular. In another embodiment, the scintillator elements122may have a different shape, such as another quadrilateral, a hexagon, an octagonal, another polygon, a circle, an oval, an ellipsoid, or the like. In a further embodiment (not illustrated), the scintillator elements122may have different shapes within the same array. After reading this specification, skilled artisans will be able to determine the shape of scintillator elements122that meets the needs or desires for a particular application.

Each of the scintillator elements122has a length222, a width224, and a thickness (not illustrated inFIG. 2). The thicknesses extend into the page forFIG. 2. In an embodiment, the lengths and the widths of the scintillator elements122are no greater than approximately 9 mm, in another embodiment, no greater than approximately 5 mm, and in a further embodiment, no greater than approximately 3 mm. In a particular embodiment, the lengths and the widths of the scintillator elements122are in a range of approximately 1 to 2 mm. The depths of the scintillator elements122may be at least in part determined by the stopping power of the scintillator material within the scintillator elements122. Ideally, all of the targeted radiation that reaches a scintillator element122is captured by that scintillator element122. The aspect ratio of a scintillator element is the ratio of the depths of the scintillator element, as measured along the central axis of the scintillator element, to either of the length or width of the photosensor surface of the scintillator element. In an embodiment, the median aspect ratio of the scintillator elements122is at least approximately 2:1, at least approximately 4:1, or at least approximately 7:1. Although there is no theoretical limit to the aspect ratio, the aspect ratio may be no greater than approximately 50:1, no greater than approximately 40:1, or no greater than approximately 20:1. Grooves (not illustrated inFIG. 2) are along the scintillator elements at the sides immediately adjacent to the spaces232and234. The grooves are formed during the process of fabricating the scintillator array as is described in more detail below.

Attention is now directed to processes of making the radiation detection apparatus10as illustrated inFIGS. 3 to 6. While the formation of the array12is illustrated with respect to particular shapes, skilled artisans will appreciate that other shapes may be used.

FIG. 3includes an illustration of a perspective view of plates32that include a scintillator material, and reflective sheets34of a reflective material. A block of a scintillator material can be cut to form the plates32. The plates32can include any of the scintillator materials previously described. The plates32can have substantially identical shapes. In the embodiment as illustrated, the faces of each plate32are along the top and bottom surfaces of each plate32and are separated by the thickness. The faces can have a shape, such as another quadrilateral, a hexagon, an octagonal, another polygon, a circle, or the like. In another embodiment, the plates32may have different shapes as compared to one another. The thicknesses of the plates32can be substantially the same or may be different. Thus, in an embodiment, the thicknesses of the plates32are no greater than approximately 9 mm, in another embodiment, no greater than approximately 5 mm, and in a further embodiment, no greater than approximately 3 mm.

The plates32includes grooves36that can be formed during the cutting action when forming the plates32or may be formed after cutting the plates32. The cutting operation can be performed using a saw, a laser, a water jet, another suitable cutting tool, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the cutting operation can be performed using a wire saw. The plates32may be milled, polished, or other suitable processing to form the grooves36. The grooves36may be formed by a tool that leaves tool marks. Milling can be used when the scintillator material is relatively soft. Such a relatively soft scintillator material can include a metal halide, a scintillator plastic, or the like. Polishing can be used when the scintillator material is relatively hard. Such a relatively hard scintillator material can include a metal silicate, a metal germinate, a garnet, or the like. Grooves36can be formed along opposite sides of the plates32, so the lower sides of the plates32also have grooves36, although grooves36along such lower sides are not illustrated inFIG. 3.

Abrasive particles used in milling or polishing can include diamond, alumina, or another material that is harder than the scintillator material in which the grooves36are formed. In an embodiment, the average particle size of the abrasive particles is at least approximately 9 microns, at least approximately 15 microns, or at least approximately 30 microns, and in another embodiment, the average particle size of the abrasive particles is no greater than approximately 900 microns, no greater than approximately 300 microns, at least approximately 90 microns, or no greater than 50 microns. In a particular embodiment, the average particle size of the abrasive particles is in a range of approximately 30 to approximately 90 microns.

The reflective sheets34can be placed between the plates32. In an embodiment, the reflective sheet34can include a substantially white plastic sheet, such as a polyester, a polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like. In a particular embodiment, the substantially white plastic sheet has a gloss value of at least approximately 50, at least approximately 55, or at least approximately 60, and in another embodiment, the gloss value may be no greater than approximately 75, no greater than approximately 60, no greater than approximately 50. The gloss value can be obtained by measuring samples of the reflector material at an angle of 60° using a micro-gloss 60°™-brand gloss meter available from BYK-Gardner USA of Columbia, Md., USA.

In another embodiment, the reflective sheet34can include a metal foil or a metalized plastic sheet, such as a metalized polyester, may be used. In still a further embodiment, the reflective sheet34can be a substantially white reflective sheet having a gloss value less than 50. Although the metal foil, metalized plastic sheet, or a substantially white reflective sheet with the lower gloss value may be used in some applications, the substantially white reflective sheet with the higher gloss value can produce the highest light output as compared to such other reflectors.

The thicknesses of the reflective sheets34can be substantially the same or may be different from one another. The reflective sheets34may have a shape that substantially corresponds to the shapes of the plates32. In another embodiment the reflective sheets34may be larger or smaller than the facial area of the plates32. The thicknesses of the reflective sheets34may generally correspond to the widths of the spaces232as illustrated inFIG. 2. In an embodiment, the thicknesses of the reflective sheets may be no greater than approximately 0.10 mm (approximately 4 mils).

An adhesive material can be applied to faces of the plates32, and the reflective sheets34can be inserted between each of the plates32as generally illustrated by the arrow inFIG. 3. The adhesive material can be a clear adhesive, such as a clear epoxy or a clear silicone rubber. The thickness of the adhesive material may be no greater than approximately 25 microns, no greater than approximately 20 microns, or no greater than 15 microns. In another embodiment, the thickness of the adhesive material can be at least approximately 2 nm.

The plates32, reflective sheets34, and adhesive material can then be joined together to form an object40as illustrated inFIG. 4. Due to the relatively thinner thicknesses of the reflective sheets34(as compared to the plates32), the reflective sheets34are not illustrated in subsequent figures, although the reflective sheets34are present. The joining can be performed by pressing the plates32and reflective sheets34together, and then removing any residual adhesive material that may flow from the region between the plates32. As used herein, such region is referred to as a joining region which includes the region between faces of immediately adjacent plates32. Therefore, the joining region can include one of the reflective sheets34and the adhesive material that remains between the plates32. In the embodiment as illustrated inFIG. 4, the object40can be in the shape of a block. In another embodiment, the adhesive material may not be required, as the reflective sheet34may be adhesive, or the plates32and reflective sheets34may be joined such that an adhesive material is not required.

FIG. 5includes an illustration of a perspective view after the object40is cut into slices52. In the embodiment as illustrated, the slices52have a thickness of approximately 2 mm. The cutting may be substantially perpendicular to the joining regions or at a significantly different angle.

FIG. 6includes an illustration of a perspective view after grooves66are formed along opposite sides of a slice52. Other slices52would also include grooves66that have lengths that extend in the same general direction as the previously-formed grooves36. The grooves66can be formed using any of the equipment, materials, and techniques as previously described with respect to the grooves36. The grooves66can be formed using the same equipment or different equipment, the same material or different materials, or the same technique or different techniques as compared to the grooves36. Similar to the grooves36, the grooves66can be formed along opposite sides of the slices52.

The grooves36,66, or any combination of such grooves for each scintillator element122are ideally parallel to the centerline axis of such scintillator element122. In practice, the grooves may have deviation angles as measured relative to a plane, wherein a centerline axis extends through a center of the photosensor surface120, and the centerline axis lies along the plane and the plane intersects the side surface. A groove near a center of the side surface may have a different deviation angle as compared to another groove along the same side surface and further from the center of the side surface. In an embodiment, the median value for the deviation angles for a scintillator element122may be no greater than approximately 9°, no greater than approximately 5°, no greater than approximately 2°, or no greater than approximately 0.9°, and in another embodiment, median value for the deviation angles may be at least approximately 0.0001°. The grooves36,66, or any combination of such grooves can extend along at least approximately 50%, at least approximately 75%, at least approximately 90%, or at least approximately 95% of the length of its corresponding scintillator element122. In a particular embodiment, the grooves extend along substantially all of the length of such scintillator element. The grooves have corresponding lines, and at least 50%, at least approximately 80%, or at least approximately 90% of the corresponding lines intersect the photosensor surfaces120. In an embodiment, the grooves can have a median depth of at least approximately 0.5 micron, at least approximately 2 microns, or at least approximately 5 microns, and in another embodiment, the grooves can have a median depth no greater than approximately 200 microns, no greater than approximately 90 microns, or no greater than approximately 50 microns. In a further embodiment, the grooves can have a median width of at least approximately 0.5 micron, at least approximately 2 microns, or at least approximately 5 microns, and in another embodiment, the grooves can have a median depth no greater than approximately 200 microns, no greater than approximately 90 microns, or no greater than approximately 50 microns.

At least two of the grooves36,66, or any combination of such grooves can have different depths, different widths, or both. For any particular groove36or66, the spacings between such groove and the immediately adjacent grooves on opposite sides of the particular groove can be different. The grooves36,66, or any combination of such grooves can have a random assortment of depths, widths or both. The spacings between immediately adjacent grooves can be a random assortment of spacings. As used herein, “random” is intended to mean that the depths, widths, or spacings do not have a uniform depth, width, or spacing, or a predetermined pattern of depths, widths, or spacings. For example, the depths of the grooves that change as a function of distance from the centerline axis of a scintillator element122are not random. Because the milling may involve particles of different sizes that may be non-uniformly spaced apart from one other, the grooves may reflect this, and thus, milling is likely to form grooves that have random widths, random depths, and random spacings. In a particular embodiment, the grooves along the same side of the scintillator element122can have random widths, random depths, random spacings, or any combination thereof.

The slices52can be organized into row and columns to form an array, such as array12inFIGS. 1 and 2. The spaces232may correspond to locations where the reflective sheets34are located. The slices52may be mounted onto the backing material124. The spaces234can be filled with a reflective material that can include a substantially white or specular material. In a particular embodiment, the reflective material82can include an epoxy or other polymeric material that includes white or metal particles. In an alternative embodiment, the spaces234may be left open and not subsequently filled. The array12can be encapsulated with the white, opaque material242. In an embodiment, the white, opaque material242is formed such that it encapsulates the array12, and the portion of the white, opaque material lying along the photosensor surfaces120is removed to expose the photosensor surfaces120. In another embodiment, the photosensor surfaces120may be covered so that the white, opaque material242does not cover the photosensor surfaces120, such that a removal step is not needed or only needs to be removed along small portions of the photosensor surfaces for scintillator elements122at the perimeter of the array. In a particular embodiment, the application of the materials82and242can be performed during the same process sequence using the same material or same set of materials.

In the scintillator array12, the reflective sheets34and the clear adhesive material is along opposite side surfaces of the scintillator elements122, and the reflective material82, and no clear adhesive, is along the other opposite side surfaces. In this manner, cross talk between scintillator elements122can be kept low without having to use a complicated fabrication process.

Referring toFIG. 1, the scintillator array12and the photosensor array14can then be mounted within an apparatus such that the scintillator elements122and the photosensors142are optically coupled to one another. The photosensors142can electrically coupled to the control module16through connectors, wirings, ribbon cables, switches or other electronic components used in the apparatus.

In another embodiment, not all of the side surfaces have grooves. The grooves can be along at least one side surface for more than 50% of the scintillator elements122. In another embodiment, two side surfaces of more than 50% of the scintillator elements122have grooves. The two side surfaces can be adjacent to or opposite each other. Two other side surfaces may or may not have grooves. In still another embodiment, three side surfaces of more than 50% of the scintillator elements have grooves. For the three sides described, the particular scintillator elements making up more than 50% of the scintillator elements for each of the sides may be the same particular scintillator elements of different combinations of scintillator elements.

Along a side surface, a groove having a length in a direction substantially parallel to the photosensor surface120is not desired, as scintillating light will not be propagated towards the photosensor surface120as effectively as grooves substantially parallel to the central axes. Due to handling or another issue, such a groove may be present on a side surface at the perimeter of the array12. The side surfaces for interior scintillator elements122, which are spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the array12, are protected and may not have a groove along a side surface that is substantially parallel to the photosensor surface120.

In a further embodiment, one or more side surfaces that are to have grooves may not due to operator error or another reason. Thus, an interior scintillator element122may not have any grooves along a side surface even though well over 90% of the other interior scintillator elements122in the array12have grooves along all side surfaces.

The grooves may be useful for an apparatus that has a single scintillator. The single scintillator has a cylindrical shape and only one side surface, and the one side surface can includes grooves similar to the grooves36. In another embodiment, the single scintillator can have a different shape with a plurality of side surfaces. One, some, or all of the side surfaces can have grooves similar to the grooves36. In a particular embodiment, the clear adhesive material, the reflective sheet, or both can substantially laterally surround the single scintillator.

Embodiments described herein can improve signal-to-noise ratio for radiation detection apparatus. The clear adhesive, substantially white reflector, grooves, or any combination thereof help scintillating light to propagate towards the photosensor surface of the scintillator, and thus, scintillating light output can be improved. The scintillating light output can be increased by 30% to 50% as compared to substantially identical scintillator elements that do not have grooves along the side surfaces, reflective sheets34that are substantially white and have a gloss value of at least approximately 50, and a clear adhesive material between scintillator elements122and the reflective sheets34. The amount of improvement in light output is unexpected. Note that in particular embodiment, not all side surfaces need to have grooves, and the reflective sheets34do not need to be substantially white and have a gloss value of at least approximately 50. Grooves along one or some side surfaces, but not all side surfaces, can improve scintillating light output. Further, the reflective sheets that include a metal foil, a metalized plastic, or a substantially white reflector with a gloss value less than 50 may be used, although the improvement may not be as great. More scintillating light reaching a photosensor allows the photosensor to generate a stronger electronic signal. The concepts as described herein are not expected to increase background noise. Therefore, the signal-to-noise ratio is higher.

The improvement in light output can be affected by the aspect ratio of the scintillator elements. The aspect ratio of a scintillator element is the ratio of the depth of the scintillator element, as measured along the central axis, to either of the length or width of the photosensor surface of the scintillator element. The relative improvement in light output over conventional scintillator arrays becomes significant at the aspect ratio becomes greater.

In a conventional array, plates and slices could be cut to the desired final thicknesses. If the plates or slices were too thick, the plates or slices could be milled to the desired final thicknesses. In the conventional scintillator array, some scintillator elements may not have any grooves along the side surfaces, other scintillator elements may have grooves along a side surface that have lengths that are substantially parallel to the photosensor surfaces, and still other scintillator elements may have grooves along a side surface that have lengths that extend towards the photosensor surfaces. In the conventional array, substantially less that 50% of the scintillator elements have grooves along a side surface that have lengths that extend towards the photosensor surfaces. Further, the scintillator array has poor scintillating light output uniformity between scintillator elements, which is undesired. Unlike a conventional array, scintillator elements122as described herein can be fabricated with grooves that help improve scintillating light output and result in substantially more uniform scintillating light output between different scintillator elements122within the array.

Modification to a fabrication process is relatively minimal and can use existing tools. Plates and slices can be cut to thicknesses thicker than the desired final thickness and then milled to form the grooves and achieve the desired final thickness. More tools of the same type (for example, more milling machines) may not be needed. Even if more tools of the same type need to be purchased, process development, as may be needed for a different type of tool that has not previously been used in fabricating scintillator arrays, is not needed.

Embodiments may be in accordance with any one or more of the items as listed below.

Item 1. A scintillator array comprising: scintillator elements; and a reflective sheet between a pair of scintillator elements, wherein the reflective sheet is substantially white and has a gloss value of at least approximately 50.

Item 2. The scintillator array of item 1, further comprising a clear adhesive material disposed between the reflective sheet and the scintillator elements.

Item 3. The scintillator array of item 1 or 2, wherein: each scintillator element includes a photosensor surface and side surfaces adjacent to the photosensor surface; the photosensor surface is adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor; and at least one of the scintillator elements has grooves along each of the side surfaces, wherein the grooves have lengths extending in a direction toward the photosensor surface.

Item 4. A scintillator array comprising: scintillator elements, wherein: each scintillator element includes a photosensor surface and a first side surface adjacent to the photosensor surface; the photosensor surface is adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor; and more than 50% of the scintillator elements have grooves along the first side surface, wherein the grooves have lengths extending in a direction toward the photosensor surface; and a clear adhesive material adjacent to the scintillator elements.

Item 5. The scintillator array of item 4, further comprising a reflective sheet between a pair of scintillator elements, wherein the clear adhesive material is disposed between the reflective sheet and each of the scintillator elements within the pair of scintillator elements.

Item 6. The scintillator array of item 5, wherein the reflective sheet is substantially white and has a gloss value of at least approximately 50.

Item 7. The scintillator array of any one of items 4 to 6, wherein: each scintillator element further comprises a second side surface adjacent to the photosensor surface; and more than 50% of the scintillator elements have grooves along the second side surface.

Item 8. The scintillator array of any one of items 4 to 6, wherein: each scintillator element further comprises a second side surface adjacent to the photosensor surface, a third side surface adjacent to photosensor surface, and a fourth side surface adjacent to the photosensor surface; and at least some of the scintillator elements have the grooves along each of the first, second, third, and fourth side surfaces.

Item 9. The scintillator array of item 8, wherein other scintillator elements have the grooves along at least two side surfaces and none of the grooves along one or two of the other side surfaces.

Item 10. A scintillator array comprising scintillator elements, wherein: each scintillator element includes a photosensor surface and side surfaces adjacent to the photosensor surface; the photosensor surface is adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor; and the scintillator elements include interior scintillator elements having side surfaces that do not have grooves that have lengths that are substantially parallel to a plane defined by the photosensor surface.

Item 11. A process of forming a scintillator array comprising: forming plates from a block of a scintillator material; placing a reflective sheet and a clear adhesive material between immediately adjacent plates; cutting a combination of the plates and reflective material into slices; and performing an activity including: forming first grooves along at least one surface of the plates, wherein the first grooves are oriented in a first direction that is substantially parallel to a centerline of the plates; forming second grooves along at least one surface of the slices, wherein the second grooves are oriented in a second direction that is substantially parallel to the centerline of the scintillator elements being formed; or both forming the first grooves and the second grooves.

Item 12. The process of item 11, wherein the reflective sheet is substantially white and has a gloss value of at least approximately 50.

Item 13. The process of item 11 or 12, further comprising fabricating the slices into the scintillator array, wherein a clear adhesive is not applied to the slices after cutting the combination of the plates.

Item 14. The process of any one of items 11 to 13, wherein the process includes: forming the first grooves along opposite surfaces of the plates before placing the reflective material between immediately adjacent plates; and forming the second grooves along opposite surfaces of the slices.

Item 15. The process of any one of items 11 to 14, wherein the first grooves, the second grooves, or both are formed by a tool that leaves tool marks along a surface of the plates or slices.

Item 16. The process of any one of items 11 to 14, wherein the first grooves, the second grooves, or both are formed by milling a surface of the plates or slices.

Item 17. The process of item 16, wherein milling is performed using particles with an average particle size of at least approximately 9 microns, at least approximately 15 microns, or at least approximately 30 microns.

Item 18. The process of item 16 or 17, wherein milling is performed using particles with an average particle size of no greater than approximately 900 microns, no greater approximately 300 microns, no greater than approximately 90 microns, or no greater than approximately 50 microns.

Item 19. The process of item 16 or 17, wherein the first grooves, the second grooves, or both are formed by polishing a surface of the plates or slices.

Item 20. The process of any one of items 11 to 19, further comprising placing a white reflective material along opposite sides of the slices.

Item 21. A radiation detection apparatus comprising: the scintillator array of any one of the preceding claims; and a photosensor optically coupled to at least one of the scintillator elements along the photosensor surface of the at least one of the scintillator elements.

Item 22. The scintillator array, scintillator, or radiation detection apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the scintillator elements has a centerline axis, each of the grooves has a corresponding deviation angle as measured relative to the centerline axis, and a median value for the corresponding deviation angles is no greater than approximately 20°, no greater than approximately 9°, no greater than approximately 5°, no greater than approximately 2°, or no greater than approximately 0.9°.

Item 23. A scintillator comprising: a single scintillator element having a photosensor surface, a side surface and grooves along the side surface, wherein the photosensor surface is adapted to provide scintillating light to a photosensor, the side surface is adjacent to the photosensor surface, and the grooves have lengths extending in a direction toward the photosensor surface; a reflective sheet that substantially laterally surrounds the single scintillator element and is substantially white and has a gloss value of at least approximately 50; and a clear adhesive material that laterally surrounds the single scintillator element and is disposed between the single scintillating element and the reflective sheet.

Item 24. A radiation detection apparatus comprising: the scintillator of item 23; and a photosensor optically coupled to the scintillator along the photosensor surface of the scintillator.

Item 25. The scintillator array, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of items 1 to 23, wherein: each scintillator element includes a photosensor surface, a first pair of opposing side surfaces adjacent to the photosensor surface, and a second pair of opposing side surfaces adjacent to the photosensor surface; and at least 50% of the scintillating elements have the clear adhesive material disposed along the first pair of opposing side surfaces and no clear adhesive along the second pair of opposing side surfaces.

Item 26. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus or process of any of the preceding items, wherein the grooves extend along at least approximately 50%, at least approximately 75%, at least approximately 90%, or at least approximately 95% of the length of the scintillator or scintillator elements having the grooves.

Item 27. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein the grooves extend along substantially all of the length of the scintillator or the scintillator elements having the grooves.

Item 28. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein at least two of the grooves along any particular side surface have different depths, different widths, or different depths and widths.

Item 29. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein at least two spacings between immediately adjacent grooves are different spacings.

Item 30. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein the grooves along any particular side surface have a random assortment of depths, a random assortment of widths, or a random assortment of depths and widths.

Item 31. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein the spacings between immediately adjacent grooves are a random assortment of spacings.

Item 32. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein the grooves have a median depth of at least approximately 0.5 micron, at least approximately 2 microns, or at least approximately 5 microns.

Item 33. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein the grooves have a median depth of no greater than approximately 200 microns, no greater than approximately 90 microns, or no greater than approximately 50 microns.

Item 34. The scintillator array, scintillator, radiation detection apparatus, or process of any of the preceding items, wherein the grooves have corresponding lines, wherein at least approximately 50% of the corresponding lines intersect the photosensor surface.

EXAMPLES

The concepts described herein will be further described in the Examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. The Examples demonstrate changes in the array configuration affect the light output of a scintillator array. The scintillator arrays as described below were substantially identical to one another except as noted below. The material for the scintillator elements was CsI(Tl). The scintillator elements had an aspect ratio of 7:1.

Array 1 included conventional reflectors, which are white reflective sheets having a gloss value of 24 on one side and 25 on the opposite side. A clear epoxy was used between the scintillator elements and the conventional reflector. The scintillator elements were made from plates and slices as cut, that is without milling or polishing as previously described.

Array 2 was substantially identical to Array 1 except that the conventional reflectors were replaced by reflective sheets having a gloss value of 66.

Array 3 was substantially identical to Array 2 except that the plates and slices were milled and oriented within the array as previously described.

Comparative Array 1 included the conventional reflectors. A white epoxy was used between the scintillator elements and the conventional reflector. The white epoxy was the clear epoxy described above mixed with white particles, such as TiO2or Al2O3particles. The scintillator elements were made from mixed finished plates. As the plates were cut, some were undersized, others were oversized, and still others had sizes within a desired range. Each of the oversized plates had one side milled to the correct thickness. The mixed finished plates of the array included the undersized plates, the milled, oversized plates, and the plates cut to the desired thickness. With respect to the milled, oversized plates were assembled without regard to the orientation of grooves caused by milled. Hence, grooves for some of the milled plates were believed to be substantially parallel with the central axes of the scintillating elements, and grooves for the other milled plates were believe to be substantially perpendicular to the central axes of the scintillating elements.

The previously described arrays were exposed to137Cs and241Am radiation sources, where for each radiation source, the scintillator arrays were exposed to substantially the same dose of radiation. Tables 1 and 2 include average light output data and the improvement in light output (as compared to Comparative Array 1) for the data collected. Outliers were excluded before calculating the average light output.

The light output was improved by about 18% when a white epoxy was replaced by a clear epoxy (Array 1 vs. Comparative Array 1). The light output can be further increased by about 10% when plates and slices are milled using embodiments as previously described (Array 3 vs. Array 2).