Engineering topics

Smith, Graham

Publications and source records attributed to Smith, Graham.

5 records

DOE OSTI2020

Development of a High-Rate Front-End ASIC for X-Ray Spectroscopy and Diffraction Applications

We developed a new front-end application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) to upgrade the Maia X-ray microprobe. The ASIC instruments 32 configurable channels that perform either positive or negative charge amplification, pulse shaping, peak amplitude, and time extraction along with buffered analog storage. At a gain of 3.6 V/fC, 1-μs peaking time, and a temperature of 248 K, an electronic resolution of 13 and 10 e- rms was measured with and without a silicon drift detector (SDD) sensor, respectively. A spectral resolution of 170-eV full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) at 5.9 keV was obtained with an 55Fe source. The channel linearity was better than ± 1% with rate capabilities up to 40 kcps. The ASIC was fabricated in a commercial 250-nm process with a footprint of 6.3 mm × 3.9 mm and dissipates 167 mW of static power.

Vernon, Emerson↗

DOE OSTI2019

Front-end ASIC for spectroscopic readout of virtual Frisch-grid CZT bar sensors

Compact multi-channel radiation detectors rely on low noise front-end application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to achieve high spectral resolution. Here, a new ASIC developed to readout virtual Frisch-grid cadmium zinc telluride (VFG CZT) detectors for gamma ray spectroscopy is presented. Corresponding to each ionizing event in the detector, the ASIC measures the amplitude and timing at the anode, the cathode and four pad sense electrodes associated with each sensor in a detector array. The ASIC is comprised of 52 channels of which there are 4 cathode channels and 48 channels which can be configured as either anode channels with a baseline of 250 mV or pad sense channels to process induced signals with a baseline of 1.2 V. With a static power dissipation of 3 mW, each channel performs low-noise charge amplification, high-order shaping, peak and timing detection along with analog storage and multiplexing. The overall channel linearity was better than ± 1% with timing resolution down to 700 ps for charges greater than 8 fC in the 3 MeV range. With a 4 × 4 array of 6 mm × 6 mm × 20 mm virtual Frisch-grid bar sensors connected and biased, an electronic resolution of ≈270 e - rms for charges up to 100 fC in the 3.2 MeV range was measured. Spectral measurements obtained with the 3D correction technique demonstrated resolutions of 1.8% FWHM at 238 keV and 0.9% FWHM at 662 keV.

3D↗

DOE OSTI2018

Issues Affecting the Assessment of Impacts of Disposal of Radioactive and Hazardous Waste - 18177

BIOPROTA is an international collaborative forum that seeks to address the key uncertainties in long term assessments of radionuclide and other contaminant releases into the environment arising from solid radioactive waste disposal. (see www.bioprota.org). Two workshops have been organized through the BIOPROTA forum to consider the non-radiological post-disposal impacts of radioactive waste disposal. In these workshops, it was noted that, ideally, the assessment of radionuclides and hazardous materials should be such that consistent assumptions and criteria are used in risk evaluation and that in cases where this is not possible, a clear understanding of the reasons why needs to be provided. Accordingly, a detailed review was organized through BIOPROTA to provide information to support development of a consensus on how to address this issue. The study suggests that there is a continuing need for some common measure of hazard that supports identification of risk management priorities for mixed hazardous waste. Without it, effective optimization of management of these mixed hazardous wastes will be restricted. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

NASA NTRS2011

A Radiation-Hard Silicon Drift Detector Array for Extraterrestrial Element Mapping

Measurement of x-rays from the surface of objects can tell us about the chemical composition Absorption of radiation causes characteristic fluorescence from material being irradiated. By measuring the spectrum of the radiation and identifying lines in the spectrum, the emitting element (s) can be identified. This technique works for any object that has no absorbing atmosphere and significant surface irradiation : Our Moon, the icy moons of Jupiter, the moons of Mars, the planet Mercury, Asteroids and Comets

Gaskin, Jessica↗

DOE OSTI2010

Multi-anode ionization chamber

The present invention includes a high-energy detector having a cathode chamber, a support member, and anode segments. The cathode chamber extends along a longitudinal axis. The support member is fixed within the cathode chamber and extends from the first end of the cathode chamber to the second end of the cathode chamber. The anode segments are supported by the support member and are spaced along the longitudinal surface of the support member. The anode segments are configured to generate at least a first electrical signal in response to electrons impinging thereon.

Bolotnikov, Aleksey E↗