Jul 1 2016
Zecotek Photonics Inc., a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for industrial, healthcare and scientific markets, is pleased to announce that it has received a second order for its patented Lutetium Fine Silicate (LFS) scintillation crystals from the same major OEM developing radiation monitoring and detection devices. This follows the initial order for LFS crystals previously announced on April 1, 2016 whereby the LFS crystals were tested in a device for large cargo screening at land crossings such as border crossings, airports, and harbours. The second order of LFS crystals are to be tested for screening applications for luggage, bags, packages, for high security locations including government buildings, sports stadiums, conventions centers and other crowded venues.
"The illegal trafficking of radioactive materials is a serious concern for governments around the world and our patented LFS scintillation crystal is ideal for identifying even the smallest amount of material in a large area," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "This order of LFS crystals has been specifically produced for use in devices that will provide quick and effective scanning of a large number of people. The scanning device will have the capacity for significant throughput with superior imaging performance and high resolution images. Our crystals have higher spectroscopic resolution and a decay constant that is 10 times faster and more accurate than competing crystals. We are working closely with the device manufacturer to develop detection devices for various applications and look to develop these crystal orders into long term, high volume contracts."
The increasing threat of nuclear terrorism has contributed to the significant growth of the overall radiation safety market. Governments and private businesses need a radiation detection solution that is reliable and easy to implement. A scintillation detection system consists of scintillation crystals, photo detectors, an electric signal and processing electronics. The systems can be made quite large and used in radiation detection, assay of radioactive materials and physics research. They are less expensive to implement, have very reliable quantum efficiency and can measure both the intensity and the energy of incident radiation.
Radiation detection represents a sizeable market opportunity for Zecotek. Industry experts predict that the market for instruments specifically designed to measure radiation is estimated to grow to US$3.5 billion by 2022. The addition of medical imaging equipment and high energy physics brings the total market to over US$25 billion and growing.