Microcavity plasma panel radiation detector

Abstract

A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector includes a first substrate and a second substrate, and a defined gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first and second substrates comprise dielectrics and a discharge gas is contained between the first and second substrate. A microcavity structure comprising microcavities is coupled to the second substrate. An anode electrode is coupled to the first substrate and a cathode electrode is coupled to the microcavity structure on the second substrate. The detector further includes pixels defined by a microcavity and an anode electrode coupled to a cathode electrode, and a resistor coupled to each of the cathode electrodes. Each pixel may output a gas discharge counting event pulse upon interaction with ionizing-radiation. The detector further includes a voltage bus coupled to each of the resistors and a power supply coupled to at least one of the electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector comprising:
 a first substrate;   a second substrate coupled to the first substrate and defining a gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the first and second substrates comprise dielectrics;   a discharge gas contained between the first and second substrate;   at least one microcavity coupled to the second substrate;   at least one anode electrode coupled to the first substrate;   at least one cathode electrode coupled to the microcavity on the second substrate;   a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel is defined by a microcavity and an anode electrode coupled to a cathode electrode and each pixel is capable of generating a gas discharge counting event pulse upon interaction with ionizing-radiation;   a resistor coupled to each of the cathode electrodes;   a voltage bus coupled to each of the resistors;   a power supply coupled to at least one of the electrodes; and   a discharge event detector coupled to at least one of the electrodes for detecting a gas discharge counting event in the electrode.