Low-Cost Pixelated X-ray Imager

C53-16a-271092Direct X-ray detectors can provide the best possible spatial and energy resolutions required for next generation X-ray detectors with applications in multiple fields, including medical imaging, materials science experiments, and security screening. However, the only commercial large area (>10cm x 10cm) direct detector technology based on amorphous selenium has several inherent limitations, including low stopping power restricting its use to low X-ray energies only. Under this SBIR program, we will develop and commercialize high spatial resolution, high efficiency, highly scalable low-cost X-ray imagers using perovskite sensors. The major achievements of Phase I were: (a) Demonstration of high spatial resolution and high contrast X-ray images using the perovskite sensor and (b) Demonstration of the sensor deposition on a large area (10cm x 10cm) array. In Phase II, these large-area detectors will be further optimized and tested in real-world application scenarios. Scientific and engineering products that are based on X-ray imaging techniques form the basis for many technologies that directly benefit the public, including non-destructive imaging for materials science and energy research, cultural heritage investigations, metrology, and geophysics. High-efficiency direct X-ray imagers are also indispensable tools for medical imaging. The commercial availability of the proposed detectors will enable the next generation of X-ray imaging by simultaneously enhancing the imaging quality, with high contrast and high spatial resolution, and reducing the dose requirement. These low-cost large-area imagers have an extremely high potential for commercial success.