The article discusses a new high-efficiency photon detection technology developed by NIST. The key innovation is a detection pixel design that maximizes the Compton scattering process, producing a sufficient number of high-energy electrons to generate an electric or magnetic response in the material. This approach allows for reduced incident photon intensities, lowering equipment costs and patient radiation exposure.
The detection pixels can be arranged in an array for imaging applications. Potential uses include medical imaging systems for pediatric, emergency, and general medical applications, as well as security systems for airport screening and object detection. The technology can also be applied to detect gamma rays from special nuclear materials and track radioactive tags in medical diagnostics.
The invention’s simplicity and versatility make it a promising tool across various fields, including materials science, healthcare, atomic and electron physics. The implementation of this high-efficiency photon detection technology has the potential to improve imaging capabilities while reducing costs and radiation exposure.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/patents/high-efficiency-photon-detection
Keywords: Compton, photons, electrons
