Lu_2O_3:Eu scintillator screen for x-ray imaging

摘要

We report on a new x-ray converter screen based on the powdered Lu_2O_3:Eu scintillator. Lu_2O_3:Eu offers high density (9.4 g/cm~3), high average atomic number (63), and a peak emission of 610 nm. The high density of the material and a high packing traction of the coating provide higher x-ray absorption efficiency, even with thin screens. As a result Lu_2O_3:Eu screens are expected to provide superior spatial resolution and x-ray stopping power compared to commercial powdered screens. This newly developed screen has excellent imaging performance and offers several practical advantages such as ease of fabrication, low cost, and durability. This paper will discuss preliminary results of the imaging performance of this novel screen.