3-D Medipix: A new generation of X-ray detectors

Bone densitometry using x-ray spectra

“…However, it would be possible to upgrade our system to perform a scan if faster energy-sensitive x-ray detectors become available. A summary of efforts to develop a new generation of semiconductor micropattern spectroscopic detectors can be found in the recent literature (Heijne 2001, Wright et al 2005, Szeles et al 2007. A scanner constructed using new-generation detectors would likely use a fan beam along with a sophisticated detection array in order to increase the overall scanning speed.…”

“…Nonetheless, the clinical usage of spectroscopy in bone densitometry for skeletal assessment at a limited number of regions such as the hip, lumbar spine and the calcaneous is currently feasible and worthy of serious study. Recently, high-resolution energy-sensitive detectors with fast response times have been developed for particle and nuclear physics experiments (Heijne 2001, Giersch 2005, Wright et al 2005, Castoldi et al 2003, although these new counters have yet to find applications in diagnostic scanning systems. Since new techniques that involve the full spectrum of a diagnostic x-ray tube have evolved slowly in the past few decades (Karg et al 2005, Giersch et al 2004, there is additional impetus for methods that require accurate energy discrimination such as that outlined in this paper to be taken forward.…”

Why and how pixels are becoming more and more “intelligent” (sensors—part 2)

“…in 3D detectors the electric field configuration provides a self-shielding effect in each cell, so that charge sharing between adjacent pixels is considerably reduced with respect to planar detectors. As a result, 3D pixels are insensitive to magnetic fields [35] and potentially appealing also for photon imaging applications [36].…”

X-ray Spectrometry

“…Their results suggest that the SDDs should be a promising candidate as a future detection device for low atomic X-ray radiation especially at the case of a high X-ray flux. In ref B17,Wright et al emphasized that there is a strong demand for more efficient, more radiationtolerant sensors in X-and γ-ray physics, SR applications and medical imaging. For these detection tasks, an excellent solution is offered by the 3-D detector architecture in which the electrodes traverse the detector bulk, neglecting the limitation of the distance between electrodes by the thickness of the wafer.…”