COLLIMATOR OF MULTIPLE PLATES WITH AXIALLY ALIGNED IDENTICAL RANDOM ARRAYS OF APERTURES

• US 3,749,911 A
• Filed: 06/30/1970
• Issued: 07/31/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James H. Underwood, Richard B. Hoover
• Original Assignee: James H. Underwood, Richard B. Hoover
• Inventors: Hoover, Richard B., Underwood, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindquist, William F.
• Application Number:
  US05/051,317
• Time in Patent Office: 1,127 Days
• Field of Search: 250/62,63,65R,71.5S,105
• US Class Current: 378/146
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/18 Focusing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/02 using X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/02 using diaphragms, collimators
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/025 using multiple collimators, e.g. Bucky screens; other devices for eliminating undesired or dispersed radiation

Abstract

A collimator is disclosed for examining the spatial location of distant sources of radiation and for imaging by projection, small, near sources of radiation, the collimator consisting of a plurality of plates, all of which are pierced with an identical random array of apertures. The plates are mounted perpendicular to a common axis, with like apertures on consecutive plates axially aligned so as to form radiation channels parallel to the common axis. For near sources the collimator is interposed between the source and a radiation detector and is translated perpendicular to the common axis so as to project radiation traveling parallel to the common axis incident to the detector. For far sources the collimator is scanned by rotating it in elevation and azimuth with a detector to determine the angular distribution of the radiation from the source.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in imaging by projection small near sources of penetrating radiation comprising:

a subsTantially plane surface on which it is desired to image said source of radiation;

a plurality of plates, each of said plates provided with an identical random array of apertures, said plates being constructed of radiation absorbing material;

mounting means for holding each of said plates perpendicular to a common axis, with each of said plates spaced an incremental distance from one another and with like apertures on consecutive plates axially aligned so as to form radiation channels parallel to said common axis through said mounted plates;

positioning means for holding said mounted plates between said source of radiation and said plane surface so that said plates are maintained substantially parallel to said plane surface;

first means cooperating with said positioning means to translate said mounted plates in a first direction perpendicular to said common axis;

second means cooperating with said positioning means to translate said mounted plates in a second direction perpendicular to said common axis, said first and second cooperating means being structurally arranged so that said second direction of translation is perpendicular to said first direction of translation; and

a radiation detector mounted on said plane surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said radiation detector is a photographic plate.