Low threshold level radiation detector

• US 7,199,369 B1
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies Limited (Tianma Microelectronics Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Met One Instruments Incorporated (01db-Metravib SAS)
• Inventors: Heverly, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEBB, CHRISTOPHER G
• Application Number:
  US10/831,418
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 250/361.R
• US Class Current: 250/361.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2002 Optical details, e.g. reflecting or diffusing layers

Abstract

A radiation detector of the present invention has at least one radiation measuring component and a radiation detector surface. A layer of protective covering substantially covers the radiation detector surface and protects the at least one radiation measuring component. The layer of protective covering preferably includes a protective material sub-layer and may include an optional coating sub-layer. The radiation detector surface may be, for example, a scintillator, cover glass, or chip surface.

Claims

1. A radiation detector comprising:

(a) a radiation detector with at least one radiation measuring component, said at least one radiation measuring component being a sensitive radiation measuring component;

(b) a scintillator;

(c) a reflective material layer substantially covering said scintillator, said reflective material layer protecting said sensitive measuring component; and

(d) said reflective material layer is a two surface mirror.

2. The radiation detector of claim 1 wherein said reflective material layer is deposited on said scintillator by a depositing process selected from the group consisting of:

(a) vacuum deposition; and

(b) sputtering.

3. The radiation detector of claim 1 wherein said reflective material layer is a layer of material selected from the group consisting of:

(a) aluminum;

(b) gold; and

(c) silver.

4. The radiation detector of claim 1 further comprising a protective coating substantially covering said reflective material layer.

5. The radiation detector of claim 1 further comprising a protective coating substantially covering said reflective material layer, said protective coating selected from the group consisting of:

(a) silicon oxide;

(b) magnesium fluoride; and

(c) oxidized aluminum.

6. A radiation detector comprising:

(a) a radiation detector with at least one radiation measuring component;

(b) a radiation detector surface;

(c) a layer of protective covering substantially covering said radiation detector surface, said layer of protective covering protecting said at least one radiation measuring component;

(d) said layer of protective covering includes a protective material sub-layer, wherein said protective material sub-layer is a two surface mirror.

7. The radiation detector of claim 6 wherein said layer of protective covering is deposited on said radiation detector surface by a depositing process selected from the group consisting of:

(a) vacuum deposition; and

(b) sputtering.

8. The radiation detector of claim 6 wherein said protective material sub-layer is a layer of material selected from the group consisting of:

(a) aluminum;

(b) gold; and

(c) silver.

9. The radiation detector of claim 6 wherein said layer of protective covering includes a protective material sub-layer and a coating sub-layer, said coating sub-layer substantially covering said protective material sub-layer.

10. The radiation detector of claim 9 wherein said coating sub-layer is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) silicon oxide;

(b) magnesium fluoride; and

(c) oxidized aluminum.

11. The radiation detector of claim 6 wherein said radiation detector surface is selected from the group consisting of:

(a) a scintillator;

(b) a cover glass; and

(c) a chip surface.

12. A method for modifying a known radiation detector to create a low threshold level radiation detector, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a known radiation detector having a radiation measuring component positioned within an outer housing, a radiation detector surface, an enclosure cap defining a cap window, and a window cover covering said cap window;

(b) removing said enclosure cap from said outer housing;

(c) removing said window cover from said enclosure cap;

(d) removing said radiation detector surface;

(e) providing a protective lens package having a radiation detector surface covered with a protective material sub-layer;

(f) securing said protective lens package within said enclosure cap to cover said cap window; and

(g) replacing the combination protective lens package and enclosure cap to secure said radiation measuring component within said outer housing.