Imaging Photodetectors
-----The
Imaging Technology Group has developed an intimate understanding
of the functionalities, advantages and limitations of
existing photodetectors of every type, from basic PMTs
and simple commercial CMOS and CCD sensors to light-conserving
imaging intensifier tubes, virtually noiseless electron-multiplying
CCDs (EMCCDs) and specialized ultra-fast (150,000 frames
per second) CCDs. This understanding is vital in order
to match photodetector characteristics optimally to
the properties of existing and contemplated scintillators
and the demands of intended applications.
-----Hand-in-hand
with our fast-paced improvements in scintillator composition
and fabrication methodology, the Imaging Technology
Group has worked internally and with outside groups
and vendors to define and develop photodetectors capable
of taking the best advantage technologically possible
of the rapidly improving resolution, light output, speed
and other factors of our remarkable scintillator materials.
-----Detectors
that we have developed are based on a variety of technologies,
including advanced electron multiplying charge coupled
devices (EMCCDs), very large format CCDs, CMOS sensors,
amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) large area flat panel arrays,
and ultra-high-speed imagers.
Our developments now extend into a
number of areas of detector technology, including:
EMCCD detectors, in both lens-coupled
and fiberoptic-coupled designs for low dose X-ray imaging,
high-resolution gamma-ray imaging, and other X-ray photon-limited
applications. New designs will further accelerate readout
speed, allowing higher resolution and greater area imaging
at the highest frame rates of these remarkable low-noise
devices.
High-speed detectors, including
EMCCD-based detectors permitting high frame rate imaging
operations ranging from 30 frames per second (fps) to
over 750 fps.
Ultra high-speed detectors, including
special detectors offering operation at up to 150,000
fps (6.7 ms per frame).
Large area, high resolution detectors,
including those based on Siemens' 4K x 7K pixel CCD
for mammography, their 2K x 2K pixel CCD for crystallography,
and their 1K x 1K pixel CCD for nondestructive evaluation
applications.
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