Electromagnetic wave detection module, electromagnetic wave detection module array, and non-destructive inspection apparatus
20200241150 ยท 2020-07-30
Inventors
Cpc classification
G01V5/22
PHYSICS
G01T1/2985
PHYSICS
G01J1/4228
PHYSICS
G01T1/243
PHYSICS
International classification
G01T1/29
PHYSICS
Abstract
An electromagnetic wave detection module in which wiring is formed to connect each detection element of an electromagnetic wave detection means configured by arranging a plurality of detection elements for detecting an electromagnetic wave in a two-dimensional array and a predetermined connection destination outside the electromagnetic wave detection means with good manufacturability and so as not to cause trouble in the detection of an electromagnetic wave as much as possible. A detection element group includes M detection elements (M is an integer of 2 or more) arranged in the Y-axis direction is arranged in N rows (N is an integer of 2 or more) in the X-axis direction orthogonal to the Y-axis direction, and MN wirings electrically connecting each of the MN detection elements and a predetermined connection destination outside any one end of the electromagnetic wave detection means in the Y-axis direction are provided on the common substrate surface.
Claims
1. An electromagnetic wave detection module comprising on the same substrate surface: an electromagnetic wave detection means in which detection element groups of M detection elements (M is an integer of 2 or more) arranged in the Y-axis direction are arranged in N rows (N is an integer of 2 or more) in the X-axis direction orthogonal to the Y-axis direction; and MN wirings electrically connecting each of the MN detection elements and a predetermined connection destination outside one end of the electromagnetic wave detection means in the Y-axis direction.
2. The electromagnetic wave detection module according to claim 1, wherein, for all the detection element groups, the wiring from each detection element belonging to the detection element group is routed through a gap between the detection element group and an adjacent detection element group on the same end side in the X-axis direction of the electromagnetic wave detection means.
3. The electromagnetic wave detection module according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined connection destination is a connection destination set for each of the wirings and connected to each of the MN detection elements in a one-to-one basis.
4. The electromagnetic wave detection module according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined connection destination is also provided outside the other end of the electromagnetic wave detection means in the Y-axis direction, and wherein, for each of the detection element group, the wiring from each detection element belonging to the detection element group is connected to a predetermined connection destination outside the one end from a detection element at one end with the middle of any adjacent detection element as a boundary, and the detection element at the other end is connected to a predetermined connection destination outside the other end.
5. The electromagnetic wave detection module according to claim 4, wherein the boundary is set such that the number of detection elements sandwiching the boundary is (M/2) when M is an even number and ((M+1)/2) and ((M1)/2) when M is an odd number.
6. An electromagnetic wave detection module array configured by arranging a plurality of electromagnetic wave detection modules according to claim 1 in the X-axis direction.
7. A nondestructive inspection apparatus comprising an electromagnetic wave detection module according to claim 1.
8. The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to claim 7 comprising: an electromagnetic wave irradiation means for irradiating an inspection target with a predetermined electromagnetic wave; and a conveyance means for conveying the inspection target placed on the conveyance plane in a predetermined direction, wherein the electromagnetic wave detection module is arranged in a propagation path of the electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave irradiation means to the electromagnetic wave detection module through the portion of the conveyance plane on which the inspection target is placed, such that the separation distance from the conveyance plane is shorter than the separation distance between the electromagnetic wave irradiation means and the conveyance plane, and the electromagnetic wave detection module is configured to detect the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the inspection target.
9. The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to claim 7 comprises a conveyance means for conveying an inspection target irradiated with an electromagnetic wave in a predetermined direction, wherein the electromagnetic wave detection module is provided inside the conveyance means and detects the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the inspection target.
10. A nondestructive inspection apparatus comprising an electromagnetic wave detection module array according to claim 6.
11. The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to claim 10 comprising: an electromagnetic wave irradiation means for irradiating an inspection target with a predetermined electromagnetic wave; and a conveyance means for conveying the inspection target placed on the conveyance plane in a predetermined direction, wherein the electromagnetic wave detection module is arranged in a propagation path of the electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave irradiation means to the electromagnetic wave detection module through the portion of the conveyance plane on which the inspection target is placed, such that the separation distance from the conveyance plane is shorter than the separation distance between the electromagnetic wave irradiation means and the conveyance plane, and the electromagnetic wave detection module is configured to detect the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the inspection target.
12. The nondestructive inspection apparatus according to claim 10 comprises a conveyance means for conveying an inspection target irradiated with an electromagnetic wave in a predetermined direction, wherein the electromagnetic wave detection module is provided inside the conveyance means and detects the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the inspection target.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030]
[0031]
[0032]
[0033]
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODYMENTS
[0038] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. Although a case where the electromagnetic wave detection module of the present invention is used in a nondestructive inspection apparatus employing the TDI method will be described below as an example, it can be implemented in basically the same form and obtain the same effect even when it is used in another apparatus including electromagnetic wave detection means in which a plurality of detection elements are arranged in a two-dimensional array.
First Embodiment
[0039]
[0040] The electromagnetic wave irradiation means 110 irradiates an electromagnetic wave such as X-rays, ultraviolet rays, visible rays, infrared rays, or the like to the inspection target W conveyed in the Y-axis direction by the conveyance means 120.
[0041] The conveyance means 120 is, for example, a belt conveyor or the like, and conveys the inspection target W placed on the conveyance plane in the Y-axis direction at a predetermined speed. It is desirable that the conveyance means 120 has high electromagnetic wave transparency so that the transmitted electromagnetic wave from the inspection target W reaches the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 with as little attenuation as possible.
[0042] The electromagnetic wave detection means 130 is an electromagnetic wave detection module that detects an electromagnetic wave that has been irradiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation means 110 onto the inspection target W and has transmitted through the inspection target W. Specifically, for example, in the propagation path of the electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave irradiation means 110 to the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 through the portion of the conveyance plane on which the inspection target W is placed, the electromagnetic wave detection means is arranged at a position where the separation distance from the conveyance plane is shorter than the separation distance between the electromagnetic wave irradiation means and the conveyance plane, and detects the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the inspection target. By making the separation distance between the conveyance plane of the portion on which the inspection target W is placed and the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 as short as possible, the short separation distance thereabove makes it possible to detect the electromagnetic wave which has transmitted through the inspection target W and has been attenuated ,while maintaining higher intensity. In addition, while the electromagnetic wave radiated from the electromagnetic wave irradiation means 110 spreads in a conical shape and continues to spread even after transmitted through the inspection target W, detection leakage of the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the inspection target W in the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 can be prevented by making the separation distance between the conveyance plane and the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 as short as possible. The electromagnetic wave detection means 130 may be disposed outside the conveying means 120 as shown in
[0043] The electromagnetic wave detection means 130 is arranged on a substrate, and detection element groups composed of M (M is an integer of 2 or more) detection elements arranged in the Y-axis direction are arranged in N rows (N is an integer of 2 or more) in the X-axis direction orthogonal to the Y-axis direction, and for each detection element group, each detection element belonging to the detection element group sequentially detects a transmitted electromagnetic wave from the same detection target region of the inspection target W and generates an output corresponding to the detection intensity. The detection target region refers to one of a plurality of regions formed by dividing the surface of the inspection target W facing the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 into a lattice shape having a size of a region allocated to one detection element in the electromagnetic wave detection means 130.
[0044] The type of each detection element constituting the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 is arbitrary as long as it is an element that detects an electromagnetic wave to be irradiated and generates an output according to the detection intensity. Taking an example in which the electromagnetic wave irradiated on the inspection target W is X-rays, an indirect conversion type detection element that converts X-rays into visible rays by a scintillator once and then receives the light by a photo diode to generate an output, a direct conversion type detection element that utilizes semiconductors such as a CdTe that converts X-rays into direct electric signals to generate an output, or the like can be applied.
[0045] The respective outputs from the respective detection elements belonging to a detection element group are added together, thereby the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the detection target region is determined.
[0046] The function of adding the outputs from the respective detection elements belonging to the detection element group can be configured by, for example, a reading means 140 having a function of sequentially outputting the electric signals obtained by processing the outputs as necessary, and an adding means 150 for adding the electric signals sequentially output from the reading means 140.
[0047] The reading means 140 functions as a predetermined connection destination of wiring leaded from each detection element in the present embodiment, in which the reading means 140 is provided outside one end of the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 in the Y-axis direction. For example, when the input from each detection element is input in the form of a charge amount, a charge amplifier for each wiring is provided in the reading means 140, and the wiring from each detection element is electrically connected to each charge amplifier.
[0048] The reading means 140 may not necessarily be provided on a common substrate as the electromagnetic wave detection means 130, but may be provided on another substrate. In this case, an array of terminals capable of terminating the wiring from each detection element may be provided on the substrate, and the array of terminals may be connected to a reading means 140 provided on another substrate.
[0049] In the case where the reading means 140 is provided on the substrate or the case where the array of terminals is provided on the substrate, it is necessary to lead out the wiring for transmitting the output from each of the MN detection elements to the reading means 140 or the array of terminals from the inside of the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 to the outside of the electromagnetic wave detection means 130. The electromagnetic wave detection module of the present invention is composed of the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 and such wirings, and the present invention is characterized in how to draw out the wirings.
[0050] Various methods are conceivable for drawing out the wiring, but it is desirable to draw out the wiring so as not to cause an excessive manufacturing cost due to a complicated structure and wiring or an increase in the number of components. More specifically, for example, when wiring is stacked, the structure becomes complicated, and when bus wiring is used, components such as switches are required, which leads to an increase in cost. In addition, when the wiring is stacked on the electromagnetic wave detection means 130, there is a possibility that the detection of the electromagnetic wave is hindered.
[0051] In addition, the shorter the length of the wiring, the harder the noise occurrence, so that the lowering of the detection sensitivity can be suppressed.
[0052] Further, when wiring is routed between the detection elements, it is necessary to secure a wiring space corresponding to the number of wirings. As a method of securing the space, for example, a method of gradually reducing an exposed area of the detection element (specifically, a method of gradually narrowing the element width in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction) can be considered for employment. Not all of the detection elements provided on the substrate are necessarily exposed, and there may be a portion covered with a shield such as a wiring or aluminum that shields between the detection elements. The exposed area means an area excluding such a portion, that is, an area of a remaining portion facing the inspection target so that the transmitted electromagnetic wave can be detected when the transmitted electromagnetic wave is detected by the detection element. The exposed area of the detection elements becomes smaller as the number of wirings routed between the detection elements increases. Therefore, it is desirable that the number of wirings routed between the detection elements reduced as much as possible so that the exposed area does not become too small and the detection sensitivity of the electromagnetic wave is seriously impaired.
[0053] Therefore, in the present invention, MN wirings, connecting each of the MN detection elements to the reading means 140 or to the array of terminals prepared for the wirings each, are individually formed on the common substrate surface, in which the reading means 140 and the array of terminals thereof both are disposed outside one end of the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 in the Y-axis direction. At this time, for all the detection element groups, the wiring from each detection element belonging to the detection element group is routed through a gap between the detection element group and an adjacent detection element group on the same end side in the X-axis direction of the electromagnetic wave detection means.
[0054] By routing the wirings in this manner, the wiring can be drawn out with a planar structure and without increasing the number of parts, so that the manufacturability is good. In addition to a simple configuration, since the wirings are not stacked on the detection element, interference with detection of electromagnetic waves due to stacking can be avoided. Further, for all the detection element groups, since the wiring from each detection element belonging to the detection element group is routed through a gap between the detection element group and an adjacent detection element group on the same end side in the X-axis direction of the electromagnetic wave detection means 130, the wiring distance from the detection element to the reading means 140 or the array of terminals is minimized, and the number of wirings routed through the detection elements can be limited to the number of detection elements belonging to the detection element group at most.
[0055] Therefore, the wiring can be formed in such a manner that the manufacturing cost can be suppressed, the noise is hardly applied, and the detection sensitivity of the electromagnetic wave is not greatly deteriorated.
[0056] Further, in a nondestructive inspection apparatus employing the electromagnetic wave detection module of the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to obtain superior effects in terms of cost and performance as compared with the case where the conventional module is employed.
[0057]
[0058]
Second Embodiment
[0059]
[0060] In the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 of the first embodiment shown in
[0061] Then, for each detection element group, with respect to a space between a pair of adjacent elements as a reference, one side element(s) has/have electric wire connection(s) with a predetermined one side connection destination placed outside one end thereof, and the other side element(s) has/have electric wire connection(s) with the other side connection destination placed outside the other end thereof.
[0062] In the example of
[0063] In this manner, by setting the reading means, which is a predetermined connection destination, to both ends in the Y-axis direction, the wiring paths are dispersed as compared with the case where the reading means is set at only one end or the other end, and it is possible to reduce the number of wirings passing between adjacent detection elements. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the reduction of the exposed area of the detection element due to the presence of the wiring, and to further suppress the decrease of the detection sensitivity.
[0064] The boundary space determining which detection element is connected to a predetermined connection destination on one end side or to a predetermined connection destination on the other end side may be set so that the number of detection elements sandwiching the boundary becomes (M/2) when M is an even number, and ((M+1)/2) and ((M1)/2) when M is an odd number.
[0065] For example, when the number of detection elements belonging to the detection element group is 4 (even number), if the boundary space is provided between the detection element 1 and the detection element 2 or between the detection element 3 and the detection element 4, the number of wirings passing between the detection elements is two at most, and the length of the longest portion of the wirings corresponds to length of two detection elements.
[0066] However, by setting the boundary space between the detection element 2 and the detection element 3, that is, as illustrated in
[0067] Further, for example, when the number of detection elements belonging to the detection element group is 5 (odd number), if a boundary space is provided between the detection element 1 and the detection element 2 or between the detection element 4 and the detection element 5, the number of wirings passing between the detection elements is three at most, and the length of the longest portion of the wirings corresponds to length of three detection elements.
[0068] However, by setting the number of detection elements sandwiching the boundary space to ((5+1)/2) and ((51)/2), i.e., 3 and 2, between the detection element 2 and the detection element 3 or between the detection element 3 and the detection element 4, the number of wirings passing between the detection elements becomes 2 at most, and the length of the longest portion of the wirings corresponds to length of two detection elements.
[0069] In this manner, by setting the boundary such that the number of detection elements sandwiching the boundary space is (M/2) when M is an even number and ((M+1)/2) and ((M1)/2) when M is an odd number, the maximum value of the number of wirings routed between the detection elements can be made smaller, and the maximum length of the wirings can be made shorter. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the decrease of the detection sensitivity and to further reduce the influence of noise on the wiring.
Third Embodiment
[0070] With the configuration of the second embodiment, the effect of the TDI method can be further enhanced by appropriately changing the shape and position of each detection element belonging to the detection element group, which oppose the same detection target region, with respect to each detection element group.
[0071]
[0072]
[0073] In order to increase the detection range of the plurality of stages of detection elements, a portion of the same detection target region in the inspection target W, in which each detection element detects the transmitted electromagnetic wave transmitted through the same detection target region, includes a part that does not overlap with a portion of the same detection target region in the inspection target W in which the detection element other than the detection element itself detects the transmitted electromagnetic wave. Specifically, for example, when each detection element belonging to the detection element group detects a transmitted electromagnetic wave, each detection element is provided so that the shape facing the same detection target region of the inspection target W and/or the positional relationship with the opposing same detection target region are different from each other.
[0074] However, although the shape and the positional relationship, in which the detection elements a1 to a4 are opposed to the same detection target region shown in
[0075] In contrast, as in the second embodiment, by dividing the reading means 140 into the reading means 140a and 140b, and arranging on both ends outside of the Y-axis direction of the electromagnetic wave detection means 130 as shown in
[0076]
[0077]
[0078] However, in the configuration shown in
[0079]
[0080] As a result, the transmitted electromagnetic wave from the detection target region of the inspection target W can be detected more widely while securing the wiring space, and the brightness of the pixel corresponding to the detection target region can be improved.
[0081] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Each embodiment is exemplified, and any embodiment having substantially the same constitution as the technical idea described in the claims of the present invention and exhibiting the same operation and effect is included in the technical scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention can be suitably modified within the scope of the technical idea expressed in the present invention, and forms to which such modifications and improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. For example, a plurality of electromagnetic wave detection modules of the present invention may be arranged in the X-axis direction to form an electromagnetic wave detection module array.