Systems and methods for detecting x-rays
Systems and methods for detecting x-rays are disclosed herein. One or more x-ray-sensitive scintillators can be configured from a plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles and a plastic material, such as polystyrene. As will be explained in greater detail herein, the heavy element nano-sized particles (e.g., PbWO 4 ) can be compounded into the plastic material with at least one dopant that permits the plastic material to scintillate. X-rays interact with the heavy element nano-sized particles to produce electrons that can deposit energy in the x-ray sensitive scintillator, which in turn can produce light.
1. A system for detecting x-rays, said system comprising:
at least one x-ray sensitive scintillator having a hole therein, wherein said at least one x-ray sensitive scintillator is configured from a plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles compounded into a plastic material with at least one dopant that permits said plastic material to scintillate; and
a wavelength-shifting fiber located within said hole, wherein said wavelength-shifting fiber absorbs scintillation light having a wavelength thereof and re-emits said light at a longer wavelength for the detection of x-rays thereof.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles comprises at least one of the following: PbWO 4 or CeO 2 .
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles are prepared utilizing an inert gas.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said plastic material comprises polystyrene.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said plastic material comprises polyvinyltoluene.
6. A method for detecting x-rays, said method comprising the steps of:
forming at least one x-ray sensitive scintillator from a plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles compounded into a plastic material with at least one dopant that permits said plastic material to scintillate;
configuring said at least one x-ray sensitive scintillator to include a central hole thereof; and
locating a wavelength-shifting fiber within said hole, wherein said wavelength-shifting fiber absorbs scintillation light having a wavelength thereof and re-emits said light at a longer wavelength.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles comprises at least one of the following: PbWO 4 or CeO 2 .
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:
preparing said plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles utilizing an inert gas.
9. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:
configuring said plastic material to comprise at least one of the following: polystyrene powder or polyvinyltoluene powder.
10. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:
configuring said plastic material to comprise at least one of the following: polystyrene pellets or polyvinyltoluene pellets.
11. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of forming at least one x-ray sensitive scintillator from a plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles and a plastic material, further comprises the step of:
compounding said plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles into said plastic material with at least one dopant that permits said plastic material to scintillate.
12. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:
associating said wavelength-shifting fiber with a photodetector.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:
generating data indicative of x-ray detection data utilizing said photodetector.
14. A system for detecting x-rays, said system comprising:
a plastic material comprising at least one of the following: polystyrene or polyvinyltoluene;
a plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles comprising at least one of the following: PbWO 4 or CeO 2 ;
at least one x-ray sensitive scintillator having a hole therein, wherein said at least one x-ray sensitive scintillator is configured from said plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles compounded into said plastic material with at least one dopant that permits said plastic material to scintillate, wherein said plurality of heavy element nano-sized particles are prepared utilizing an inert gas; and
a wavelength-shifting fiber located within said hole, wherein said wavelength-shifting fiber absorbs scintillation light having a wavelength thereof and re-emits said light at a longer wavelength for the detection of x-rays thereof.