One Micrometer Resolution Structured Scintillator for Hard X-Ray Image Detection

Next generation three dimensional (3D) X-ray imaging requires novel x-ray scintillating materials with high efficiency and high spatial resolution. Using a conventional homogeneous scintillator plate, there is a compromise between efficiency and spatial resolution. The strong coupling between spatial resolution and efficiency renders difficulty for conventional scintillators to be used for high resolution and time resoled applications. Agiltron proposes to address these issues of conventional scintillator plates and develop structured scintillator screens with improved resolution as well as improved efficiency. The proposed efforts will leverage Agiltrons structured scintillator development for neutron detection funded through previous government funded programs. Phase I of the proposed program is to develop structured scintillator device for nuclear physics experiments applications, which can provide better than 10% efficiency for use with 20 keV X rays, and with one micrometer spatial resolution. The structured scintillating device comprises of photolithography processed silicon micro- structure filled with scintillating nanoparticles through an innovative filling process. In collaboration with Argonne National Lab, fabricated devices will be evaluated using high energy X-rays on the synchrotron light source facility at the Lab. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Potential applications of the composite scintillator include, but are not limited to industrial facilities that use x-rays, neutrons, electron beams, or ion beams for diagnostics or characterization and commercial nuclear energy sector. Other applications include medical and dental diagnostics, nuclear proliferation, high-energy physics, astrophysics, radiochemistry, medical research, and other sciences.