Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imaging

Abstract Long-distance transmission scintillator arrays enable high-resolution X-ray imaging and signal transmission in challenging environments such as aerospace machinery, nuclear reactor cores, and complex biological regions. However, advanced scintillator arrays are still limited to thin films a...

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Main Authors: Hao Zhang, Xiongjian Huang, Tianze Wan, Ruishan Wei, Bozhao Yin, Yakun Le, Shengda Ye, Weiwei Chen, Mingjia Li, Xiudi Xiao, Xiaofeng Liu, Zhiguo Xia, Jianrong Qiu, Zhongmin Yang, Guoping Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61416-7
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author Hao Zhang
Xiongjian Huang
Tianze Wan
Ruishan Wei
Bozhao Yin
Yakun Le
Shengda Ye
Weiwei Chen
Mingjia Li
Xiudi Xiao
Xiaofeng Liu
Zhiguo Xia
Jianrong Qiu
Zhongmin Yang
Guoping Dong
author_facet Hao Zhang
Xiongjian Huang
Tianze Wan
Ruishan Wei
Bozhao Yin
Yakun Le
Shengda Ye
Weiwei Chen
Mingjia Li
Xiudi Xiao
Xiaofeng Liu
Zhiguo Xia
Jianrong Qiu
Zhongmin Yang
Guoping Dong
author_sort Hao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Long-distance transmission scintillator arrays enable high-resolution X-ray imaging and signal transmission in challenging environments such as aerospace machinery, nuclear reactor cores, and complex biological regions. However, advanced scintillator arrays are still limited to thin films and blocks, which are unable to simultaneously support both imaging and long-distance transmission functions. We address this limitation by designing scintillator active fiber arrays composed of glass embedded with Cs3Cu2X5 (X=Cl, Br, and I) nanocrystals. The scintillator glass forms through controlled crystallization of Cs3Cu2X5, and low-loss (~5 m) active fibers are engineered into an array of approximately 1,600 pixels with high resolution (48 lp mm−1; limit: 60.7 lp mm−1) via waveguide structuring. This detector penetrates complex structures and enables effective low-dose imaging. Our approach supports scalable, high-density fiber-optic X-ray arrays, providing a new platform for advanced imaging in both scientific and industrial applications.
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issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-43d7323e3a0447ef8b5848d11abffa6a2025-08-20T03:03:29ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-011611910.1038/s41467-025-61416-7Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imagingHao Zhang0Xiongjian Huang1Tianze Wan2Ruishan Wei3Bozhao Yin4Yakun Le5Shengda Ye6Weiwei Chen7Mingjia Li8Xiudi Xiao9Xiaofeng Liu10Zhiguo Xia11Jianrong Qiu12Zhongmin Yang13Guoping Dong14State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologySchool of Physics and Optoelectronics, South China University of TechnologySchool of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Extreme Photonics and Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of TechnologyAbstract Long-distance transmission scintillator arrays enable high-resolution X-ray imaging and signal transmission in challenging environments such as aerospace machinery, nuclear reactor cores, and complex biological regions. However, advanced scintillator arrays are still limited to thin films and blocks, which are unable to simultaneously support both imaging and long-distance transmission functions. We address this limitation by designing scintillator active fiber arrays composed of glass embedded with Cs3Cu2X5 (X=Cl, Br, and I) nanocrystals. The scintillator glass forms through controlled crystallization of Cs3Cu2X5, and low-loss (~5 m) active fibers are engineered into an array of approximately 1,600 pixels with high resolution (48 lp mm−1; limit: 60.7 lp mm−1) via waveguide structuring. This detector penetrates complex structures and enables effective low-dose imaging. Our approach supports scalable, high-density fiber-optic X-ray arrays, providing a new platform for advanced imaging in both scientific and industrial applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61416-7
spellingShingle Hao Zhang
Xiongjian Huang
Tianze Wan
Ruishan Wei
Bozhao Yin
Yakun Le
Shengda Ye
Weiwei Chen
Mingjia Li
Xiudi Xiao
Xiaofeng Liu
Zhiguo Xia
Jianrong Qiu
Zhongmin Yang
Guoping Dong
Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imaging
Nature Communications
title Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imaging
title_full Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imaging
title_fullStr Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imaging
title_full_unstemmed Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imaging
title_short Integrated copper-halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high-resolution X-ray imaging
title_sort integrated copper halide activated scintillator fiber array for remote high resolution x ray imaging
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-61416-7
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