Study of solid-conversion gaseous detector based on GEM for high energy X-ray industrial CT

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Detector Technology
• Industrial Imaging

Background:

• General gaseous ionization detectors have limitations for high energy X-ray industrial computed tomography (HEICT), including low detective efficiency and large physical size.
• These limitations hinder the effectiveness and practicality of current detector systems in HEICT applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and develop a novel gaseous detector designed to overcome the limitations of conventional detectors in HEICT.
• The study aimed to enhance conversion efficiency and reduce detector volume for improved HEICT performance.

Main Methods:

• A new detector design incorporating a metal foil X-ray convertor for improved efficiency.
• Utilizing a Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) as an electron amplifier to reduce detector volume.
• Employing EGSnrc Monte Carlo, Maxwell, and Garfield codes for simulation and analysis of conversion efficiency and electron transport.

Main Results:

• The novel detector demonstrated significantly higher conversion efficiency compared to conventional detectors.
• The proposed design resulted in a substantial reduction in detector volume.
• Simulations confirmed the enhanced performance characteristics of the metal foil and GEM-based detector.

Conclusions:

• The developed gaseous detector, featuring a metal foil convertor and GEM, shows superior conversion efficiency and a smaller footprint.
• This detector presents a theoretically viable and promising alternative to conventional detectors for HEICT applications.
• The findings suggest a potential for widespread adoption in industrial computed tomography requiring high energy X-rays.