A FAX-MACHINE AMORPHOUS-SILICON SENSOR FOR X-RAY-DETECTION

Amorphous silicon detectors have been used, basically, as solar cells for energetics applications. As light detectors, linear sensors are us ed in fax and photocopier machines because they can be built with a la rge size, low price and have a high radiation hardness. Due to these p erformances, amorphous silicon detectors have been used as radiation d etectors, and, presently, some groups are developing matrix amorphous silicon detectors with built-in electronics for medical X-ray applicat ions. Our group has been working on the design and development of an X -ray image system based on a commercial fax linear amorphous silicon d etector. The sensor scans the selected area and detects light produced by the X-ray in a scintillator placed on the sensor. Image-processing software produces a final image with better resolution and definition .