Laser-Induced In Situ Crystallization of Hybrid Manganese(II) Bromide Arrays for X-Ray Imaging

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optoelectronics
• X-ray Imaging Technology

Background:

• Hybrid metal-halide scintillators show promise for X-ray imaging applications.
• Fabricating patterned scintillator arrays with high spatial precision is a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for constructing pixelated scintillator arrays with high spatial precision.
• To investigate the use of laser-induced in situ crystallization for fabricating hybrid scintillators.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a melt-processable manganese(II) bromide glass precursor, (BuTPP)2MnBr4.
• Employed femtosecond laser irradiation for selective recrystallization and programmable spatial patterning.
• Performed structural and photophysical analyses to characterize the material.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated pixelated scintillator arrays via laser-induced in situ crystallization.
• Observed enhanced photoluminescence and radioluminescence in the crystalline phase compared to the glassy state.
• Achieved a high light yield (24,600 photons MeV-1), low X-ray detection limit (4.89 µGyair s-1), and high spatial resolution (10 lp mm-1).

Conclusions:

• The laser-induced in situ crystallization strategy is an effective method for creating integrated hybrid scintillator arrays.
• This approach offers a versatile platform for developing customizable, low-temperature processed X-ray imaging devices.