Low-cost position-sensitive X-ray detector
View Patent ↗A detector and methods for producing x-ray images, more particularly based on x-rays transmitted through an inspected object. A scintillating region is translated along a path within a cross section of a beam, the cross section taken in a plane distal to the object with respect to a source of the beam. Light emitted by the scintillator region is detected, thereby generating a detection signal, the detection signal is received by a processor which generates an image signal, and an image depicting transmitted penetrating radiation is formed on the basis of the image signal.
1. An apparatus for imaging transmission of penetrating radiation through an object, the apparatus comprising:
a. a scintillator region adapted for translation along a path within a cross-section of a beam of penetrating radiation;
b. a stationary photodetector for detecting light emitted by the scintillator region and generating a detection signal; and
c. a processor for receiving the detection signal and generating an image signal; and
d. a display for depicting an image of the transmitted penetrating radiation based on the image signal.
2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a source of penetrating radiation for generating the beam of penetrating radiation characterized by the beam cross-section.
3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the source of penetrating radiation is an x-ray fan beam source.
4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the scintillator region is a phosphor dot.
5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the phosphor dot is exposed to the beam at a glancing angle with respect to a direction of motion of the dot.
6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the scintillator region is translated over a portion, up to an entirety, of the beam cross-section.
7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the scintillator region is translated on a belt.
8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the scintillator region is a portion of a pattern progressively exposed to the beam.
9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for determining an instantaneous disposition of the scintillator region with respect to the beam of penetrating radiation.
10. A method for imaging transmission of penetrating radiation through an object, the method comprising:
a. translating a scintillator region along a path within a cross section of a beam, the cross section taken in a plane distal to the object with respect to a source;
b. detecting light emitted by the scintillator region by means of a stationary photodetector and generating a detection signal;
c. receiving the detection signal and generating an image signal; and
d. depicting an image of the transmitted penetrating radiation based on the image signal.
11. A method in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising generating a beam of penetrating radiation characterized by the beam cross-section.
12. A method in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the scintillator region is translated over a portion, up to an entirety, of the beam cross-section.
13. A method in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the scintillator region is translated on a belt.
14. A method in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the scintillator region is a portion of a pattern progressively exposed to the beam.
15. A method in accordance with claim 10 , further comprising determining an instantaneous disposition of the scintillator region with respect to the beam of penetrating radiation.
16. A method in accordance with claim 10 , wherein translating the scintillator region includes exposing a phosphor dot to the beam at a glancing angle with respect to a direction of motion of the phosphor dot.