Gamma ray camera

Patent · Tue Jan 21 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:426636

Perez-Mendez, V

A gamma ray camera is disclosed for detecting rays emanating from a radiation source such as an isotope. The gamma ray camera includes a sensor array formed of a visible light crystal for converting incident gamma rays to a plurality of corresponding visible light photons, and a photosensor array responsive to the visible light photons in order to form an electronic image of the radiation therefrom. The photosensor array is adapted to record an integrated amount of charge proportional to the incident gamma rays closest to it, and includes a transparent metallic layer, photodiode consisting of a p-i-n structure formed on one side of the transparent metallic layer, and comprising an upper p-type layer, an intermediate layer and a lower n-type layer. In the preferred mode, the scintillator crystal is composed essentially of a cesium iodide (CsI) crystal preferably doped with a predetermined amount impurity, and the p-type upper intermediate layers and said n-type layer are essentially composed of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). The gamma ray camera further includes a collimator interposed between the radiation source and the sensor array, and a readout circuit formed on one side of the photosensor array. 6 figs.

• Research Organization: University of California
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• Assignee: Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,596,198/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-231,149
• OSTI ID: 426636
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
COLLIMATORS
DESIGN
GAMMA CAMERAS
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
PHOTODETECTORS
READOUT SYSTEMS
VISIBLE RADIATION