Investigation of spatial resolution and temporal performance of SAPHIRE (scintillator avalanche photoconductor with high resolution emitter readout) with integrated electrostatic focusing

David A. Scaduto; Anthony R. Lubinsky; John A. Rowlands; Hidenori Kenmotsu; Norihito Nishimoto; Takeshi Nishino; Kenkichi Tanioka; Wei Zhao

doi:10.1117/12.2043187

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19 March 2014 Investigation of spatial resolution and temporal performance of SAPHIRE (scintillator avalanche photoconductor with high resolution emitter readout) with integrated electrostatic focusing

David A. Scaduto, Anthony R. Lubinsky, John A. Rowlands, Hidenori Kenmotsu, Norihito Nishimoto, Takeshi Nishino, Kenkichi Tanioka, Wei Zhao

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Proceedings Volume 9033, Medical Imaging 2014: Physics of Medical Imaging; 90333S (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2043187
Event: SPIE Medical Imaging, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We have previously proposed SAPHIRE (scintillator avalanche photoconductor with high resolution emitter readout), a novel detector concept with potentially superior spatial resolution and low-dose performance compared with existing flat-panel imagers. The detector comprises a scintillator that is optically coupled to an amorphous selenium photoconductor operated with avalanche gain, known as high-gain avalanche rushing photoconductor (HARP). High resolution electron beam readout is achieved using a field emitter array (FEA). This combination of avalanche gain, allowing for very low-dose imaging, and electron emitter readout, providing high spatial resolution, offers potentially superior image quality compared with existing flat-panel imagers, with specific applications to fluoroscopy and breast imaging. Through the present collaboration, a prototype HARP sensor with integrated electrostatic focusing and nano- Spindt FEA readout technology has been fabricated. The integrated electron-optic focusing approach is more suitable for fabricating large-area detectors. We investigate the dependence of spatial resolution on sensor structure and operating conditions, and compare the performance of electrostatic focusing with previous technologies. Our results show a clear dependence of spatial resolution on electrostatic focusing potential, with performance approaching that of the previous design with external mesh-electrode. Further, temporal performance (lag) of the detector is evaluated and the results show that the integrated electrostatic focusing design exhibits comparable or better performance compared with the mesh-electrode design. This study represents the first technical evaluation and characterization of the SAPHIRE concept with integrated electrostatic focusing.

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David A. Scaduto, Anthony R. Lubinsky, John A. Rowlands, Hidenori Kenmotsu, Norihito Nishimoto, Takeshi Nishino, Kenkichi Tanioka, and Wei Zhao "Investigation of spatial resolution and temporal performance of SAPHIRE (scintillator avalanche photoconductor with high resolution emitter readout) with integrated electrostatic focusing", Proc. SPIE 9033, Medical Imaging 2014: Physics of Medical Imaging, 90333S (19 March 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2043187

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