Reconfigurable Glass Scintillation Screen for Conformal X-Ray Imaging of Shape-Changeable Objects

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)₂MnBr₄ (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 cm²) 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.