Nano-particle Loaded Polymer X-Ray Detector

Agiltron will leverage discoveries at the University of Nebraska to fabricate detectors for CT scanners. The detector uses a new composite material with high atomic number nano-particles to absorb high energy photons creating electron-holes pairs and a semiconducting polymer with high mobility for holes. The material has been tested as a photoconductive sensor with optical and UV radiation showing very low dark current and high gain and better detectivity for photons than silicon devices. It operates at ambient temperatures and much lower applied potential (below 100 volts) than other semiconductor radiation detectors. In Phase I Agiltron will demonstrate feasibility of applying this concept to CT scanners through experiments, fabricating devices from material provided by the university and testing them with an x-ray source. A consulting medical radiologist will design the tests to assure relevance to the eventual application. Prototype sensors will be produced in Phase II for testing in actual CT scanners.