Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6339219?dq=7143430
Timestamp: 2014-10-31 04:12:11
Document Index: 484744202

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 12', 'art 50', 'art 50', 'art 70', 'art 80', 'art 80', 'art 1005', 'art 1005', 'art 1005', 'art 1005']

Patent US6339219 - Radiation imaging device and radiation detector - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsAn imaging device is provided for efficient and accurate conversion of invisible infrared radiation into a visible optical image. In an example, the image device employs an improved configuration of a substrate transmissive to infrared radiation, an infrared lens system, an optical readout radiation/displacement...http://www.google.com/patents/US6339219?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6339219 - Radiation imaging device and radiation detectorAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6339219 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/335,782Publication dateJan 15, 2002Filing dateJun 18, 1999Priority dateJun 20, 1998Fee statusPaidPublication number09335782, 335782, US 6339219 B1, US 6339219B1, US-B1-6339219, US6339219 B1, US6339219B1InventorsTohru Ishizuya, Motoo KoyamaOriginal AssigneeNikon CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (7), Non-Patent Citations (3), Referenced by (15), Classifications (5), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetRadiation imaging device and radiation detectorUS 6339219 B1Abstract An imaging device is provided for efficient and accurate conversion of invisible infrared radiation into a visible optical image. In an example, the image device employs an improved configuration of a substrate transmissive to infrared radiation, an infrared lens system, an optical readout radiation/displacement conversion unit for converting the infrared radiation into displacements, a readout optical system for directing readout light towards reflectors of the optical readout radiation/displacement conversion unit. The image device also provides for ease in assembly and calibration by adopting an improved arrangement of the parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a radiation imaging device and a radiation detector that substantially obviate the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Before describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention, various aspects of the present invention will be described first.
First Preferred Embodiment FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an imaging device of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically show an optical readout type radiation/displacement conversion device 100 used in this preferred embodiment. FIG. 2A schematically shows a cross-section of the state in which infrared rays i are not incident on a unit pixel (unit element), and FIG. 2B shows schematically a cross-section of the state in which infrared rays i are incident on a unit pixel.
Second Preferred Embodiment In an imaging device of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, in place of the ray flux limiting part 12 of the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, the ray flux limiting part 50 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is used; otherwise the configuration is the same as in the aforementioned first preferred embodiment. FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of the ray flux limiting part 50, and FIG. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′ in FIG. 4A.
Third Preferred Embodiment FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an imaging device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, components which are the same as or correspond to components in FIG. 1 have the same symbols, and redundant explanations are omitted.
Fourth Preferred Embodiment FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an imaging device according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, components which are the same as or correspond to components in FIG. 1 have the same symbols, and redundant explanations are omitted.
Fifth Preferred Embodiment In the imaging device of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, in place of the ray flux limiting part 70 of the imaging device of the aforementioned fourth preferred embodiment, the ray flux limiting part 80 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is used; otherwise the configuration is the same as in the aforementioned fourth preferred embodiment. FIG. 8A is a schematic plan view of the ray flux limiting part 80, and FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line D-D′ in FIG. 8A.
Sixth Preferred Embodiment Next, some of potential drawbacks that may be realized in optical systems having a pinhole plate or the like are discussed before further describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention. In general, the pinhole plate or the like in such an optical system is positioned and fixed in place at the time of assembly. Hence in order to obtain the desired characteristics for this optical system, the pinhole or the like of the pinhole plate must be positioned relative to other optical parts with high accuracy at the time of assembly. Thus, the assembly requires considerable labor.
φ≠2.44�f�λ/d (1) Further, the amount of movement m of the condensation point on the transmissive type liquid crystal panel 1012 due to the individual ray fluxes reflected by each reflection part 1005 is expressed by Equation 2, where θ is the inclination angle of said reflection part 1005 with respect to the substrate 1001, and f is the focal length of the first lens system 1011.
m=f�tan2 θ (2) The inclination angle depends only on the quantity of infrared rays incident on the infrared absorption part corresponding to said reflection part 1005, and so as is clear from Equation 2, the amount of movement m of the condensation point on the transmissive type liquid crystal panel 1012 due to individual ray fluxes reflected by each reflection part 1005 depends only on said quantity of incident infrared rays.
Seventh Preferred Embodiment FIG. 18 is a schematic view showing the imaging device according to a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, components which are the same as or correspond to components in FIG. 9 have the same symbols, and redundant explanations are omitted.
Eighth Preferred Embodiment FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing the imaging device according to an eighth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 19, components which are the same as or correspond to components in FIG. 9 have the same symbols, and redundant explanations are omitted.
Ninth Preferred Embodiment Next, some of potential drawbacks that may be realized in infrared ray detection devices are discussed before further describing the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Tenth Preferred Embodiment FIGS. 22A-22D are schematic diagrams of an optical readout type radiation detection device according to a tenth preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22A is a schematic plan view of a unit pixel (unit element); FIG. 22B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line X5-X6 in FIG. 22A; FIG. 22C is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line X7-X8 in FIG. 22A; and FIG. 22D is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line X9-X10 in FIG. 22A. Though not shown in the figure, a schematic cross-sectional view along the line X11-X12 in FIG. 22A is similar to FIG. 22D, a schematic cross-sectional view along the line X13-X14 in FIG. 22A is similar to FIG. 22C, and a schematic cross-sectional view along the line X15-X16 in FIG. 22A is similar to FIG. 22B. In the following explanation, �right� and �left� refer to the right and left in FIGS. 22A-22D.
Eleventh Preferred Embodiment FIG. 25 is a schematic plan view schematically showing an optical readout type radiation detection device according to an eleventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 25, three unit pixels (unit elements) are shown. Though not shown, the schematic cross-sectional view of the unit pixel along the line X17-X18 in FIG. 25, and the schematic cross-sectional view of the unit pixel along the line X25-X26 in FIG. 25, are similar to FIG. 22B; the schematic cross-sectional view of the unit pixel along the line X19-X20 in FIG. 25, and the schematic cross-sectional view of the unit pixel along the line X23-X24 in FIG. 25, are similar to FIG. 22D; and the schematic cross-sectional view of the unit pixel along the line X21-X22 in FIG. 25 is similar to a left-right reversal of FIG. 20C. In the following explanation, �right� and �left� refer to the right and left in FIG. 25.
Twelfth Preferred Embodiment FIG. 26 is a schematic plan view schematically showing an electrostatic capacitance type radiation detection device according to a twelfth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 26, those components which are the same as in FIG. 25 or correspond to components in FIG. 25 have the same symbols. Redundant explanations are here omitted.
Thirteenth Preferred Embodiment FIGS. 27A-27C show a radiation detection device according to a thirteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 27A is a schematic plan view, FIG. 27B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line X27-X28 in FIG. 27A in the state where there is no incident infrared ray i, and FIG. 27C is a schematic cross-sectional view along line X27-X28 in FIG. 27A in the state where there is an incident infrared ray i. In FIG. 27A, only two unit elements (unit pixels) are shown; in FIGS. 27B and 27C, only one unit element is shown.
Fourteenth Preferred Embodiment FIG. 29 is a schematic plan view schematically showing an optical readout type radiation detection device according to a fourteenth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 29, three unit pixels (unit elements) are shown. FIG. 30A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a unit pixel along the line X33-X34 in FIG. 29, and FIG. 30B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line Y1-Y2 in FIG. 29. In the following explanation, �right� and �left� refer to the right and left in FIG. 29.
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