Sensor Chip for Detecting Light

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The invention covers a sensor chip for detecting light, which employs an innovative linear signal encoding scheme using serially-connected resistors in the x and y readout channels. This improves the mapping of where light events occur on the chip with high granularity, enabling precise localization and depth measurement within a scintillation crystal. The approach is particularly beneficial for applications such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), allowing enhanced spatial resolution, reduced parallax errors, and operation in compact, high-field environments (e.g. combined PET/MRI). The configuration also supports scaling chips to larger sensing areas while maintaining positional accuracy and reduces space and cost limitations.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High-resolution PET scanners for medical imaging, especially in compact or combined MRI/PET setups
• Small-animal imaging for biomedical research requiring fine spatial resolution
• Industrial or scientific scintillation detectors requiring precise photon interaction localization
• Low-cost, scalable sensor arrays for radiation or light detection
• Upgrading existing medical imaging devices with improved sensor modules

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significant reduction in parallax errors and improved accuracy for line-of-response detection in PET and similar systems
• Increased light detection sensitivity and spatial resolution—even with longer crystals—improving image clarity and diagnostic value
• Enables the use of thinner, monolithic crystals, avoiding sensitivity loss due to adhesive and reflector foils used in pixelated arrays
• Flexible chip scaling (via modular interconnection) allows creation of larger sensor surfaces without losing positional information
• Reduces physical space and complexity of readout electronics, making the technology suitable for hybrid imaging systems and tight installations
• Lower component costs through integrated encoding and reduced channel requirements compared to traditional systems
• Compatible with a wide range of light wavelengths (infrared, visible, UV) and adaptable beyond PET to other scintillation-based detectors

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor chip for detecting light. The sensor chip according to the invention achieves a linear encoding of signals from microcells in an x- and y-position in the sensor chip by means of a serial connection of coding resistors Rh,0, Rh,1, Rh,2,... Rh,N or Rv,0, Rv,1, Rv,2,... Rv,M in the readout channels ChA and ChB or readout channels ChC and ChD.