Liquid filled microstructured optical fiber for 
x-ray detection

Abstract

A liquid filled microstructured optical fiber (MOF) is used to detect x-rays. Numerical analysis and experimental observation leads to geometric fiber optics theory for MOF photon transmission. A model using this theory relates the quantity and energy of absorbed x-ray photons to transmitted MOF generated photons. Experimental measurements of MOF photon quantities compared with calculated values show good qualitative agreement. The difference between the calculated and measured values is discussed.

Anthracene Fibers Grown in a Microstructured Optical Fiber for X-ray Detection

“…The efficiency was measured using the setup and procedure previously described for liquid filled optical fiber and the results are compared with those from previous anthracene fiber efficiency [20,28]. Here, a 40 kV, 4 W tube was the source with a photomultiplier photon counting arrangement for the fiber output.…”

“…The maximum theoretical output of anthracene filled MOF is based on work from liquid filled fiber where anthracene, using an effective refractive index of 1.62, is used instead of liquid [20]. A calculation of the photon capture probably in anthracene, with the quartz (fused silica) MOF acting as a cladding, is ~5% using Equations (2), (4), and (5) of reference [20].…”

“…A calculation of the photon capture probably in anthracene, with the quartz (fused silica) MOF acting as a cladding, is ~5% using Equations (2), (4), and (5) of reference [20]. This capture probability and representation of the anthracene in the MOF as bundle of optical fibers, each transmitting light through total internal reflection, provides the theoretical maximum output shown in Figure 9.…”

“…The addition of quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, chemical coatings and liquids into microstructured optical fiber (MOF) provides various sensors for temperature, chemical, and X-ray detection [14,15,16,17,18,19,20]. These filled MOF devices operate based on various principles including fluorescence, absorption, and refraction index variations.…”

“…The MOF presented can guide light in both the anthracene and quartz microstructure, allowing more scintillation photons to be guided by the fiber compared to when filling the MOF with anthracene. Improvements to the crystal growth and fiber configuration provide higher measured X-ray detection efficiency than the maximum theoretical output when the fiber is configured as a filled MOF [20]. …”