Polymer film directly detects x-rays

Sept. 1, 2007
For the first time, x-rays have been directly detected by a thick film (up to 20 µm) of conjugated polymers.

For the first time, x-rays have been directly detected by a thick film (up to 20 µm) of conjugated polymers. The arrangement is significant because such a film can be coated over large areas and over free-form surfaces, making this sort of detector very versatile. The approach is also simpler than the more-usual reliance on fluorescence or luminescence.

Two different conjugated polymers, MEH-PPV and PFO, were tested; the substances were drop-cast in a solution onto a glass substrate coated with an indium tin oxide electrode and a hole-injecting polymer blend; the structure was capped with a 100 nm aluminum electrode film. When irradiated by a 50 kV x-ray tube with a molybdenum target, both polymers showed linear increases in photocurrent over a dose-rate range from 4 to 18 mGy/s (one Gy, or gray, is equal to an absorbed dose of 1 J/kg). The x-ray sensitivities of 240 and 480 nC/mGy/cm3 for MEH-PPV and PFO, respectively, were similar to that for silicon-based x-ray detectors. The large-area conjugated-polymer detector will be useful in medical, security, and scientific applications. Contact Paul Sellin at [email protected].

Sponsored Recommendations

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) electrode manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
Learn how an industry-leading Brain Computer Interface Electrode (BCI) manufacturer used precision laser micromachining to produce high-density neural microelectrode arrays.

Electro-Optic Sensor and System Performance Verification with Motion Systems

Jan. 31, 2025
To learn how to use motion control equipment for electro-optic sensor testing, click here to read our whitepaper!

How nanopositioning helped achieve fusion ignition

Jan. 31, 2025
In December 2022, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF) achieved fusion ignition. Learn how Aerotech nanopositioning contributed to this...

Nanometer Scale Industrial Automation for Optical Device Manufacturing

Jan. 31, 2025
In optical device manufacturing, choosing automation technologies at the R&D level that are also suitable for production environments is critical to bringing new devices to market...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!