Reconfigurable Glass Scintillation Screen for Conformal X‐Ray Imaging of Shape‐Changeable Objects
Jinke Jiang, Xingchu Mao, Xiaoxin Zheng, Xin Ye, Cuicui Li, Huimin Li, Chao Ge, Jiashuai Chen, Shu‐wen Wang, Leilei Zhang, Shuangyue Cui, Qinglian Lin, Qing Guo, Quanxiang Han, Yuhai Zhang, Xutang Tao, Yang Liu
Abstract
Abstract As the kernel component of X‐ray imaging systems, the mainstream flat‐panel detectors suffer from image distortion and blurring when applied to irregular shaped objects, because of the non‐conformal collocation between the detector and the object. Herein, by taking advantage of the robust glass‐forming capability and versatile processability of (TPT) 2 MnBr 4 (TPT = propyltriphenylphosphonium) scintillator, reconfigurable scintillation screen for conformal X‐ray imaging is explored. Compared to the flexible polymer screens doped with micro‐/nanoparticles, the melt‐casted large‐area (20 × 20 cm 2 ) scintillation screens are homogeneous and immune to light scattering, thus manifesting optical transmittance of above 80% in the 525−800 nm range and high spatial resolution of 25.5 lp mm −1 . More impressively, the screen can be reconfigured in shape near its glass transition temperature, realizing continuous conformance with irregular or changeable objects. Exemplified by conformal X‐ray imaging of a flexed elbow joint and a flexible circuit with variational shapes, the reconfigurable screens demonstrate superiorities in both image clarity (15 lp mm −1 versus 3 lp mm −1 for the conformal imaging versus non‐conformal imaging) and reduction of radiation dosage. That, plus the scalable fabrication process and cost‐effective raw materials, will promise reconfigurable glass scintillation screens great potential in customized medical diagnostics and industrial inspection.