Phosphor film, imaging assembly and inspection method

Abstract

An adaptable imaging assembly is provided. The adaptable imaging assembly includes a free-standing phosphor film configured to receive incident radiation and to emit corresponding optical signals. An electronic device is coupled to the free-standing phosphor film. The electronic device is configured to receive the optical signals from the free-standing phosphor film and to generate an imaging signal. A free-standing phosphor film is also provided and includes x-ray phosphor particles dispersed in a silicone binder. A method for inspecting a component is also provided and includes exposing the component and a free-standing phosphor film to radiation, generating corresponding optical signals with the free standing phosphor film, receiving the optical signals with an electronic device coupled to the free-standing phosphor film and generating an imaging signal using the electronic device.

1 . An adaptable imaging assembly comprising: 
 a free-standing phosphor film configured to receive incident radiation and to emit a plurality of corresponding optical signals; and    an electronic device coupled to said free-standing phosphor film, wherein said electronic device is configured to receive the optical signals from said free-standing phosphor film and to generate an imaging signal.    
   
   
       2 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said free-standing phosphor film comprises a plurality of phosphor particles.  
   
   
       3 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said free-standing phosphor film comprises a plurality of x-ray phosphor particles dispersed in a silicone binder.  
   
   
       4 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an electron intensification layer coupled to said free-standing phosphor film and configured to receive the incident radiation prior to incidence on said free-standing phosphor film.  
   
   
       5 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said electron intensification layer is removable and replaceable.  
   
   
       6 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of said free-standing phosphor film is adjustable.  
   
   
       7 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said free-standing phosphor film is replaceable.  
   
   
       8 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said free standing phosphor film is pressure fit to said electronic device.  
   
   
       9 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one of an optical coupling fluid and an optical cement disposed between said free-standing phosphor film and said electronic device.  
   
   
       10 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber optic plate (FOP) disposed between said free-standing phosphor film and said electronic device.  
   
   
       11 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising one of an optical coupling fluid and an optical cement disposed between said free-standing phosphor film and said FOP.  
   
   
       12 . The adaptable imaging assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising one of an optical coupling fluid and an optical cement disposed between said FOP and said electronic device.  
   
   
       13 . A method for inspecting a component comprising: 
 exposing the component and a free-standing phosphor film to radiation;    generating a plurality of corresponding optical signals with said free standing phosphor film;    receiving the optical signals with an electronic device coupled to said free-standing phosphor film; and    generating an imaging signal using said electronic device.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising performing at least one of: 
 adjusting a thickness of the free-standing phosphor film;    adding at least one layer of another free-standing phosphor film; and    replacing the free-standing phosphor film.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said layer and original free-standing phosphor film comprise different phosphors.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising reducing radiation scatter by coupling an electron intensification layer to said free-standing phosphor film.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising performing at least one of: 
 adjusting a thickness of the electron intensification layer;    replacing the electron intensification layer; and    removing the electron intensification layer.    
   
   
       18 . A free-standing phosphor film comprising a plurality of x-ray phosphor particles dispersed in a silicone binder.  
   
   
       19 . The free-standing phosphor film of  claim 18 , wherein said x-ray phosphor particles comprise at least one phosphor selected from a group consisting of Gd 2 O 2 S:Tb, Gd 2 O 2 S:Eu, CaWO 4 , Y 2 O 2 S:Tb, (YSr)TaO 4 , (YSr)TaO 4 :Gd, (YSr)TaO 4 :Nb, BaFCl:Eu, Lu 2 O 3 :Eu, CsI:Tl, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       20 . The free-standing phosphor film of  claim 19 , wherein said x-ray phosphor particles comprise Lu 2 O 3 :Eu.  
   
   
       21 . The free-standing phosphor film of  claim 18 , wherein said x-ray phosphor particles form a blended phosphor comprising at least two different phosphors.  
   
   
       22 . The free-standing phosphor film of  claim 21 , wherein said blended phosphor comprises GOS:Tb 3+  and Lu 2 O 3 :Eu 3+ .  
   
   
       23 . The free-standing phosphor film of  claim 18 , wherein said phosphor film has a thickness in a range from about 100 microns to about 500 microns.  
   
   
       24 . The free-standing phosphor film of  claim 18 , wherein a volume ratio of said phosphor to said silicone binder is in a range from about 20% to about 30%.  
   
   
       25 . A method of forming a free-standing phosphor film, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) preparing a phosphor powder, wherein said phosphor comprises a x-ray phosphor;    (b) preparing a binder solution comprising a silicone binder and a curing agent;    (c) preparing a slurry by mixing said binder solution and said phosphor powder,    (d) forming a phosphor layer on a substrate by applying said slurry on said substrate;    (e) curing said phosphor layer to obtain a phosphor film; and    (f) removing said phosphor film from said substrate to obtain a free-standing phosphor film.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein forming a phosphor layer comprises using a technique selected from the group consisting of spraying, screen printing, ink-jet printing, casting, wire-bar coating, extrusion coating, gravure coating, roll coating, and combinations thereof.