Phosphors for X-ray detectors in computed tomography

Abstract One of the most attractive applications of phosphors is their use as X-ray conversion detectors in X-ray computed tomography (CT), the dominating method of medical radiology. The principle of CT is described and the resulting requirements for potential phosphors are derived. The properties of conventional single crystal phosphors are reviewed. Finally, the recent developments of a new class of phosphors based on ceramics of rare earth compounds are discussed.