Abstract

A pixel for the detection of electromagnetic radiation or high energy particles or charge packets, in particular for detecting X-ray photons, comprises a radiation receptor for converting the radiation into a sensing signal, the pixel being adapted for performing both pulse detection and integration of the same sensing signal.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01T 1/26 - Measuring radiation intensity with resistance detectors

Abstract

The present invention provides an array of pixels for the detection of a flash of electromagnetic radiation or a cloud of impinging high energy particles. Each pixel in the array comprises a radiation receptor for converting the electromagnetic radiation or impinging high energy particles into a radiation signal, and a converter for converting the radiation signal into pulses. The array further comprises a circuit for comparing one or more of the criteria pulse amplitude, pulse arrival time, time to convert a pulse in a digital signal, pulse duration time, pulse rise and fall time or integral of pulse over time for pulses coinciding on pixels in a predetermined neighborhood. The array also comprises a circuit for suppressing those pulses that are compared negatively versus the corresponding pulses in another pixel of the neighborhood for the same one or more criteria. A corresponding method is also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• H01J 40/14 - Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the tube and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A pixel for the detection of electromagnetic radiation or impinging high energy particles, in particular for detecting X-ray photons, including a radiation receptor for converting the electromagnetic radiation or impinging high energy particles into a radiation signal, a converter for converting the radiation signal into a pulse train, and an analog accumulator for accumulating the pulses of a pulse train to an analog signal for readout. The analog accumulator is adapted such that the analog signal is non-linearly proportional to the pulse count. Such non-linear analog accumulator has the advantage of an large dynamic range.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01J 1/44 - Electric circuits
• H01J 40/14 - Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the tube and not otherwise provided for
• H03F 3/08 - Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements with semiconductor devices only controlled by light

Abstract

A method for time-gating the sensitivity of an imager structure having a plurality of photodiodes comprises applying an electric field over the photodiodes, the electric field having an amplitude and a polarity so as to reverse bias or slightly forward bias the photodiodes at a bias voltage below 0.5 Volts, and varying the photodiodes between high and low charge collection efficiency or sensitivity by changing the amplitude of the electric field over the photodiodes. A corresponding imager structure is also provided.

IPC Classes  ?

• H03F 3/08 - Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements with semiconductor devices only controlled by light
• H01L 31/00 - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS - Details thereof
• H04N 5/335 - Transforming light or analogous information into electric information using solid-state image sensors [SSIS]