A dual/multi-energy x-ray image sensor with stacked two-dimensional pixel arrays. Each pixel in one pixel array has a corresponding overlaid pixel in the other pixel array. The pixel arrays are stacked parallel and aligned so that they are nominally normal to the x-ray path, and so that a straight path taken by an x-ray photon from the x-ray source to a pixel in one pixel array will also nominally intersect the corresponding pixel in the other pixel array(s). The energy image sensor provides an x-ray scanning detector system, which has increased signal levels and signal-to-noise ratios over dual- or multi-energy detectors using linear diode arrays, specifically when the pixel arrays are TDI pixel arrays that offer higher sensitivities in high-speed line-scan applications. Signal processing circuitry is placed on a periphery of the pixel arrays and shielded. Dual-to-multiple energy applications can be accomplished by increasing the number of stacked pixel arrays.

In one embodiment, a radiation detector may include a housing, a scintillator, a photosensor array, and a first converter. The housing may include a first image cover associated with a first surface configured to receive incident radiation generated at a first voltage range, and a second image cover associated with a second surface configured to receive incident radiation generated at a second voltage range. The first voltage range may be different than the second voltage range. The scintillator may be disposed within the housing to convert the incident radiation at the first voltage range or the incident radiation at the second voltage range into converted optical photons. The photosensor array may be optically interfaced with the scintillator to receive the optical photons from the scintillator. The first converter may be configured to interact with the incident radiation generated at the first voltage range.

Disclosed apparatus comprises: a radiation detection panel in a housing, for detecting incident radiation as an electrical signal related to a radiation image; a support base in the housing and located on a side opposite to a radiation incident surface, for supporting the radiation detection panel from a back surface side; an internal structure in the housing and disposed on the back side surface of the support base; and fixing members in the housing, for fixing the internal structure to the support base, the difference in the radiation shielding efficiency between at least one of the fixing members and the support base is less than 50%, and when viewed from a radiation incident direction, a sheet like member having a radiation shielding efficiency of 50% or more is not arranged on a region on the back surface side of the radiation detection panel overlapping with the fixing member.

Disclosed is a directional gamma ray or neutron detector that locates a source both horizontally and vertically. In some embodiments, the detector comprises four rod scintillators around a shield, and an orthogonal panel scintillator mounted frontward of the rod scintillators. The azimuthal angle of the source may be calculated according to the detection rates of the rod scintillators, while the polar angle of the source may be calculated from the panel scintillator rate using a predetermined angular correlation function. Thus, the exact location of the source can be found from a single data set without iterative rotations. Embodiments of the detector enable rapid detection and precise localization of clandestine nuclear and radiological weapons in applications ranging from hand-held survey meters and walk-through portals, to vehicle cargo inspection stations and mobile area scanners. Such detectors are needed to detect clandestine nuclear weapons worldwide.

Detector module designs for radiographic imaging include first and second layers of scintillator rods or pixel arrays oriented in first and second directions. The first and second directions are transversely oriented to define a light sharing region between the first and second layers. Encoding features may be disposed in, on or between the first and second layers, and configured to modulate propagation of optical signals therealong or therebetween.

Among other things, a detector unit for a radiation detector array is provided. The detector unit includes a radiation detection sub-assembly including a scintillator and a photodetector array. A first routing layer is coupled to the photodetector array of the radiation detection sub-assembly at a first surface of the routing layer. An electronics assembly includes an analog-to-digital converter that converts an analog signal to a digital signal. A second routing layer is disposed between the A/D converter and the first routing layer. A shielding element is disposed between the A/D converter and the second routing layer. The shielding element shields the A/D converter from the radiation photons. The second routing layer couples the electronics sub-assembly to the first routing layer. A first coupling element couples the A/D converter to the second routing layer.

Disclosed is a directional gamma ray or neutron detector that locates a source both horizontally and vertically. In some embodiments, the detector comprises four rod scintillators around a shield, and an orthogonal panel scintillator mounted frontward of the rod scintillators. The azimuthal angle of the source may be calculated according to the detection rates of the rod scintillators, while the polar angle of the source may be calculated from the panel scintillator rate using a predetermined angular correlation function. Thus, the exact location of the source can be found from a single data set without iterative rotations. Embodiments of the detector enable rapid detection and precise localization of clandestine nuclear and radiological weapons in applications ranging from hand-held survey meters and walk-through portals, to vehicle cargo inspection stations and mobile area scanners. Such detectors are needed to detect clandestine nuclear weapons worldwide.

A detector array for a radiation system includes a radiation detection sub-assembly, a routing sub-assembly, and an electronics sub-assembly. The routing sub-assembly is disposed between the radiation detection sub-assembly and the electronics sub-assembly and includes one or more layers of shielding material. For example, the routing sub-assembly may include a printed circuit board having embedded therein a shielding material configured to shield the electronics sub-assembly from at least some radiation. In some embodiments, the shielding material defines at least one opening through which a conductive element(s) passes to deliver signals between the radiation detection sub-assembly and the electronics sub-assembly.

A DR detector having a layer of imaging pixels and one or more shield layers behind the layer of imaging pixels. A first shield layer may have a thickness selected to be between about 1 mil and about 5 mils of a material selected from lead, tungsten, tin, copper, aluminum, and magnesium, selected according to an energy magnitude of radiographic energy received by the detector. A second shield layer may be positioned behind the first shield layer. The second shield layer may have a similar or different thickness selected according to an energy magnitude of radiographic energy received by the detector. The first shield layer may be positioned directly behind the layer of imaging pixels and the second shield layer may be positioned at an interior surface of the back of the detector housing.

Some embodiments include an x-ray detector, comprising: a plastic housing including a conductive coating; a two-dimensional sensor array disposed in a within the plastic housing and configured to generate image data in response to incident x-rays; a front plate connected to the plastic housing, the front plate and the plastic housing forming an enclosure surrounding the two-dimensional sensor array; wherein the conductive coating and the front plate form at least part of an electromagnetic interference shield around the two-dimensional sensor array.