Scint-X - Structured Scintillators

Applications

Scint-X develops and manufactures scintillator products for x-ray imaging, in particular for applications where high spatial resolution and/or high resolution is needed. The products are used in scientific applications, non-destructive testing, intra-oral sensors, as well as in a wide range of other applications. See below for some examples and don't hesitate to contact us if you have a specific question.

  • The scintillator pitch is typically between 15 and 150 um, suitable for pixel sizes between 10 and 250 um. Other pitches can be made upon request. Typical energy levels are 15-250 keV.
  • MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) characteristics exhibit far higher resolution and contrast compared with conventional semistructured (needle/columnar) or unstructured scintillators, see chart below.

Diagram

Industrial and Scientific Applications

  • The product's inherently high resolution and contrast capabilities has many different applications in non-destructive testing and other industrial applications.

 

al-wires

When analyzing different material properties, high resolution and contrast is important in order to resolve small details. For on-line inspection of components, short exposure times are also important.
Below, an X-ray image of a AlCu-alloy (dendrite formation) is shown:

60kv _033s

This picture was captured with a Scint-X scintillator, exposure time 0,3s. Previously, when such pictures were captured with a conventional scintillator, the exposure time was 30s, and still the resolution was inferior.

Medical Applications

In the field of medicine, the ability to make quick and accurate diagnoses is very important so that proper treatment can be initiated early, thereby minimizing the patient's suffering. X-ray imaging is a common tool to help establish early diagnoses. In many cases, a higher spatial resolution, as provided by Scint-X technology, can make a big difference. An example of biological specimen (a fish) is shown below:

Fish

A special case of medical imaging is intra-oral sensors. Digital x-ray imaging is growing at a fast pace among dentists because it offers many advantages over analog x-ray film:

  • Use of chemicals is avoided.
  • Images are produced "instantly".
  • Digital imaging enables powerful image processing, flexible handling and distribution of images.
  • Reduced x-ray dose.

However, with conventional scintillators, image resolution is not as good as for x-ray film. With Scint-X structured scintillators this problem is overcome. Scint-X is presently developing full-scale, structured scintillators for this application. This technology will enable dentists to use digital x-ray imaging for making more reliable and accurate diagnoses. 

20-lpmm2

The figures "19, 20" indicate resolution in terms of lp/mm (line pairs per millimeter).
This means that one line or space under the number 20 has a width of 25um.