Flexible x-ray detector based on the Seebeck effect

In this article, a theoretical and experimental basis for a new x-ray detector concept based in the conversion of x-rays into thermal energy is presented. The detector follows an indirect approach, once the x-rays are first converted into thermal energy, which is then converted into electrical signals by the Seebeck effect. The detector does not need high operating voltages as the detectors based in photoconductors, and it shows higher efficiency in the energy conversion than the x-ray detectors based in scintillators. Moreover, this technique allows the fabrication of x-ray detectors on flexible substrates, which is not possible with the other methods.