Ultra-thin plasma radiation detector

Abstract

A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector includes a radiation detector gas chamber having at least one ultra-thin chamber window and an ultra-thin first substrate contained within the gas chamber. The detector further includes a second substrate generally parallel to and coupled to the first substrate and defining a gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The detector further includes a discharge gas between the substrates and contained within the gas chamber, where the discharge gas is free to circulate within the gas chamber and between the first and second substrates at a given gas pressure. The detector further includes a first electrode coupled to one of the substrates and a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode. The detector further includes a first discharge event detector coupled to at least one of the electrodes for detecting a gas discharge counting event in the electrode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A position-sensitive ionizing-radiation counting detector comprising:
 a radiation detector gas chamber having at least one ultra-thin chamber window;   an ultra-thin first substrate contained within the gas chamber;   a second substrate generally parallel to and coupled to the first substrate and defining a gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate;   a discharge gas between the first and second substrates and contained within the gas chamber, wherein the discharge gas is free to circulate within the gas chamber and between the first and second substrates at a given gas pressure;   at least one first electrode coupled to one of the substrates;   at least one second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode;   a first impedance coupled to the first electrode;   a power supply coupled to at least one of the electrodes;   a first discharge event detector coupled to at least one of the electrodes for detecting a gas discharge counting event in the electrode; and   a plurality of pixels defined by the electrodes, each pixel capable of outputting a gas discharge counting event pulse upon interaction with ionizing radiation.