Optimization and scale-up of additively manufactured pixelated transparent ceramic scintillator detector arrays for MeV x-ray imaging

Transparent ceramics with the composition (Gd,Lu)₂O₃:Eu (GLO) have been fabricated into pixelated arrays using direct ink write (DIW) additive manufacturing and subsequent sintering processes to attain enhanced scintillation brightness and spatial resolution compared to plate geometries. Improvements in efficiency and image quality have been made by optimizing the fill factor of GLO pixels, increasing pixel length and refining the surface preparation of the pixels. Pixelated arrays of dimensions 2.5 x 10 x 0.6cm are tiled into larger areas for imaging large objects. Initial testing confirms 6mm tall GLO pixels offer significantly improved efficiency and effective light yield compared to commercial scintillator options, while maintaining spatial resolution limited only by the pixel pitch of the amorphous silicon array.