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NASA NTRS2004

Imaging of gamma-Irradiated Regions of a Crystal

A holographic technique has been devised for generating a visible display of the effect of exposure of a photorefractive crystal to gamma rays. The technique exploits the space charge that results from trapping of electrons in defects induced by gamma rays. The technique involves a three-stage process. In the first stage, one writes a holographic pattern in the crystal by use of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. A laser beam of 532-nm wavelength is collimated and split into signal and reference beams by use of a polarizing beam splitter. On its way to the crystal, the reference beam goes through a two-dimensional optical scanner that contains two pairs of lenses (L1y, L2y and L1x,L2x) and mirrors M1 and M2, which can be rotated by use of micrometer drives to make fine adjustments. The signal beam is sent through a spatial light modulator that imposes the holographic pattern, then through two imaging lenses L(sub img) on its way to the crystal. An aperture is placed at the common focus of lenses Limg to suppress high-order diffraction from the spatial light modulator. The hologram is formed by interference between the signal and reference beams. A camera lens focuses an image of the interior of the crystal onto a charge-coupled device (CCD). If the crystal is illuminated by only the reference beam once the hologram has been formed, then an image of the hologram is formed on the CCD: this phenomenon is exploited to make visible the pattern of gamma irradiation of the crystal, as described next. In the second stage of the process, the crystal is removed from the holographic apparatus and irradiated with rays at a dose of about 100 krad. In the third stage of the process, the crystal is remounted in the holographic apparatus in the same position as in the first stage and illuminated with only the reference beam to obtain the image of the hologram as modified by the effect of the rays. The orientations of M1 and M2 can be adjusted slightly, if necessary, to maximize the intensity of the image. Figure 2 shows such an image that was formed in a crystal of Fe:LiNbO3.

Dragoi, Danut↗

NASA NTRS1995

Gamma Ray Burst Optical Counterpart Search Experiment (GROCSE)

GROCSE (Gamma-Ray Optical Counterpart Search Experiments) is a system of automated telescopes that search for simultaneous optical activity associated with gamma ray bursts in response to real-time burst notifications provided by the BATSE/BACODINE network. The first generation system, GROCSE 1, is sensitive down to Mv (approximately) 8.5 and requires an average of 12 seconds to obtain the first images of the gamma ray burst error box defined by the BACODINE trigger. The collaboration is now constructing a second generation system which has a 4 second slewing time and can reach Mv (approximately) 14 with a 5 second exposure. GROCSE 2 consists of 4 cameras on a single mount. Each camera views the night sky through a commercial Canon lens (f/1.8, focal length 200 mm) and utilizes a 2K x 2K Loral CCD. Light weight and low noise custom readout electronics were designed and fabricated for these CCDs. The total field of view of the 4 cameras is 17.6 x 17.6 (degree). GROCSE 2 will be operated by the end of 1995. In this paper, the authors present an overview of the GROCSE system and the results of measurements with a GROCSE 2 prototype unit.

Park, H. S.↗

DOE OSTI2015

Use of the underwater collimated spectrometric system for survey of storage ponds of research VVR-2 and or reactors - 15118

Spent nuclear fuel removal activities in the National Research Centre 'Kurchatov Institute' were resumed in 2004. During the last two years, removal was performed of the spent nuclear fuel from the VVR-2 and OR reactor installations, whose storage facilities are located within the Gas Plant complex. The Gas Plant complex is the experimental base of the Institute of Nuclear Reactors, which is part of the 'Kurchatov Institute'. The complex features four storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel, one in a dedicated building for storage of spent nuclear fuel and solid rad-waste and three in the reactor building. They are sub-surface vessels filled with water (the volume of water in each is about 6 m{sup 3}), closed with top shielding slabs. Some spent fuel assemblies and fuel elements stored are resized, deformed, or have defective claddings. In the course of works on removal from ponds of the spent nuclear fuel, its fragments could get to water. The bottoms of ponds storage are covered with a deposit. The bottom of ponds and water are possible to be pollution by fission products. The survey objective was to find uranium-containing materials (elements of irradiated nuclear fuel) at the bottom of the ponds and evaluation of surface activity of fission products. To solve this problem was used the underwater collimated spectrometric system on the basis of a semiconductor detector CdZnTe (volume of a crystal of 20 mm{sup 3}) and a multichannel analyzer InSpector 2000. The detector with the collimator is placed in the waterproof case on which the video camera fastens. The principle of detection of uranium-containing materials is based on the identification of the characteristic peaks in the spectra of uranium radiation measurements in the energy range 95 - 115 keV. The results of the most representative measurements at the bottom of reactor ponds are given. The received results are discussed; comparison of results between in-site pond measurements and gamma spectrometric and radiochemical analysis of the water in the lab is carried out. The received results will be used for scheduling on pond cleaning. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2016

Detection of three gamma-ray burst host galaxies at z ∼ 6

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) allow us to pinpoint and study star-forming galaxies in the early universe, thanks to their orders of magnitude brighter peak luminosities compared to other astrophysical sources, and their association with the deaths of massive stars. We present Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 detections of three Swift GRB host galaxies lying at redshifts z = 5.913 (GRB 130606A), z = 6.295 (GRB 050904), and z = 6.327 (GRB 140515A) in the F140W (wide-JH band, λ{sub obs}∼1.4 μm) filter. The hosts have magnitudes (corrected for Galactic extinction) of m{sub λ{sub o{sub b{sub s,AB}}}}=26.34{sub −0.16}{sup +0.14},27.56{sub −0.22}{sup +0.18}, and 28.30{sub −0.33}{sup +0.25}, respectively. In all three cases, the probability of chance coincidence of lower redshift galaxies is ≲2%, indicating that the detected galaxies are most likely the GRB hosts. These are the first detections of high-redshift (z>5) GRB host galaxies in emission. The galaxies have luminosities in the range 0.1–0.6 L{sub z=6}{sup ∗} (with M{sub 1600}{sup ∗}=−20.95±0.12) and half-light radii in the range 0.6–0.9 kpc. Both their half-light radii and luminosities are consistent with existing samples of Lyman-break galaxies at z∼6. Spectroscopic analysis of the GRB afterglows indicate low metallicities ([M/H]≲−1) and low dust extinction (A{sub V}≲0.1) along the line of sight. Using stellar population synthesis models, we explore the implications of each galaxy’s luminosity for its possible star-formation history and consider the potential for emission line metallicity determination with the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2017

High-energy 3D calorimeter for use in gamma-ray astronomy based on position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe detectors

Here, we will present a concept for a calorimeter based on a novel approach of 3D position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe (hereafter CZT) detectors. This calorimeter aims to measure photons with energies from ~100 keV to 20–50 MeV . The expected energy resolution at 662 keV is better than 1% FWHM, and the photon interaction position-measurement accuracy is better than 1 mm in all 3 dimensions. Each CZT bar is a rectangular prism with typical cross-section from 5×5 to 7×7 mm 2 and length of 2–4 cm. The bars are arranged in modules of 4×4 bars, and the modules themselves can be assembled into a larger array. The 3D virtual voxel approach solves a long-standing problem with CZT detectors associated with material imperfections that limit the performance and usefulness of relatively thick detectors (i.e., >1 cm). Also, it allows us to use the standard (unselected) grade crystals, while achieving the energy resolution of the premium detectors and thus substantially reducing the cost of the instrument. Such a calorimeter can be successfully used in space telescopes that use Compton scattering of γ-rays, such as AMEGO, serving as part of its calorimeter and providing the position and energy measurement for Compton-scattered photons (like a focal plane detector in a Compton camera). Also, it could provide suitable energy resolution to allow for spectroscopic measurements of γ-ray lines from nuclear decays.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

NASA NTRS1983

The Rapidly Moving Telescope: an Instrument for the Precise Study of Optical Transients

The development of a small telescope with a very rapid pointing capability is described whose purpose is to search for and study fast optical transients that may be associated with gamma-ray bursts and other phenomena. The primary motivation for this search is the discovery of the existence of a transient optical event from the known location of a gamma-ray bursts. The telescope has the capability of rapidly acquiring any target in the night sky within 0.7 second and locating the object's position with + or - 1 arcsec accuracy. The initial detection of the event is accomplished by the MIT explosive transient camera or ETC. This provides rough pointing coordinates to the RMT on the average within approximately 1 second after the detection of the event.

Teegarden, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS2016

H2RG Detector Characterization for RIMAS and Instrument Efficiencies

The Rapid infrared IMAger-Spectrometer (RIMAS) is a near-infrared (NIR) imager and spectrometer that will quickly follow up gamma-ray burst afterglows on the 4.3-meter Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT). RIMAS has two optical arms which allows simultaneous coverage over two bandpasses (YJ and HK) in either imaging or spectroscopy mode. RIMAS utilizes two Teledyne HgCdTe H2RG detectors controlled by Astronomical Research Cameras, Inc. (ARC/Leach) drivers. We report the laboratory characterization of RIMAS's detectors: conversion gain, read noise, linearity, saturation, dynamic range, and dark current. We also present RIMAS's instrument efficiency from atmospheric transmission models and optics data (both telescope and instrument) in all three observing modes.

Toy, Vicki L.↗

DOE OSTI2017

Future prospects of nuclear reactions induced by gamma-ray beams at ELI-NP

The future prospects of photonuclear reactions studies at the new Extreme Light Infrastructure—Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility are discussed in view of the pursuit of investigating the electromagnetic response of nuclei using γ-ray beams of unprecedented energy resolution and intensity characteristics. We present here the features of the γ-ray beam source, the emerging ELI-NP experimental program involving photonuclear reactions cross section measurements and spectroscopy and angular measurements of γ-rays and neutrons along with the detection arrays currently under implementation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

NASA NTRS1992

Current status of the Explosive Transient Camera

The current configuration and performance of the Explosive Transient Camera (ETC), a wide-field sky monitor capable of detecting short-timescale optical transients, are briefly reviewed, as are plans for future improvements. The primary objective of the ETC is to detect an optical transient that is spatially and temporally coincident with a gamma-ray burster. However, the ETC is sensitive to all sources of short-timescale optical transients and will conduct a systematic survey of the night sky for all optical transients. Results of preliminary observations of the night sky conducted since January 1991 are summarized, and long-term variability searches with the ETC are discussed.

Vanderspek, Roland↗

NASA NTRS1989

ISO camera array development status

A short outline is given of the Infrared Space Observatory Camera (ISOCAM), one of the 4 instruments onboard the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO), with the current status of its two 32x32 arrays, an InSb charge injection device (CID) and a Si:Ga direct read-out (DRO), and the results of the in orbit radiation simulation with gamma ray sources. A tentative technique for the evaluation of the flat fielding accuracy is also proposed.

Sibille, F.↗

DOE OSTI2020

Large Volume Airborne Contamination Monitoring To Support Nuclear Processes' Deactivation and Decommissioning

Current D and D operations at Hanford have demonstrated a flaw in the current state of the art capability of defining airborne contamination boundaries - Airborne particulate emissions of Pu-239 from CM2H operations on the Hanford Pu Finishing Plant were detected well beyond areas controlled for airborne Pu, putting numerous workers at risk for radiological assimilations - Current air samplers and CAM systems were surveying insufficient volumes of air to accurately predict where respiratory protection was required - Hanford is located in a high radon environment, making air monitoring for alpha emitting actinides challenging in high alpha radon induced backgrounds. - Inexpensive HEPA based home and industrial air purifiers filter significantly higher volumes of air than commercially available continuous-air monitoring (CAM) systems. - Inexpensive models capable of filtered air volumes exceeding 1000 times that of a CAM. - Detector system can be built to detect x-rays generated from actinide decay. - Branching ratios of x-rays are 4 orders of magnitude more intense from Plutonium decay than its gamma emissions. - Detector system can be a low resolution systems, as x-ray region of interest is not terribly congested. - Detection systems evaluated will be designed based on slabs of NaI or pixelated NaI or CsI panels. - Simple graphical user interface software will be developed to operate the detection system. - Concept is to deploy some of these air-purifying systems in nonradiological areas around SRNL to confirm radon can be rejected with confidence. - Generate some filters contaminated with plutonium via electroplated Pu or lab generated simulated particles. - then deploy units in known airborne radiological environments to establish systems ability to accurately measure actinide based hot particles Lab analyses will follow up the system analyses to ensure hot particles were correctly identified. Analysis by Scintillation: - Application of scintillation media to the surface of the filters is being explored. - Evaluating slabs of ZnS(Ag), application of powdered ZnS(Cu) and spray on Perkin Elmer Enhance. - Scintillation events would then be digitized with a digital camera and quantified. - Comparing against sensitivity of a PMT or SiPD readout. - Currently evaluating a Thorlabs 8 Megapixel Monochrome Scientific CCD Camera, hermetically sealed cooled package with a wide angle lens. - Wide angle lens allows complete view of HEPA filter from 7 inches away. - Images taken of glow in the dark paint, as well as plutonium-induced fluorescence. - Plutonium was flamed mounted on a 1 inch diameter stainless steel planchet, covered with a layer of mylar and a section of scintillating ZnS obtained from Eljon. - Currently working on reducing signal-to-noise levels to boost sensitivity. - Dark box to hold contaminated or electroplated source covered filters under fabrication. Analysis by x-ray Spectroscopy: - Branching ratios for x-ray emissions from Plutonium isotopes are orders of magnitude more intense than gamma-ray emissions. - The nuclear databases are incomplete on the branching ratios of some of the isotopes. - Evaluating some custom built SrI2 x-ray spectrometers vs a conventional windowed NaI detector. - SrI2 detectors are carbon-composite-windowed 51 mm x 51 mm. - MCNP calculations to establish self absorbance of filter media on 17 keV x-ray. Radon Rejection: - Activated charcoal pre-filter acts as a Radon trap. - Adding a time lapse feature to camera to aid in radon rejection. SRS Plutonium Fuel Form D and D Operations: Currently deploying air sampler to D and D operation of Pu-238 facility at SRS to generate some field samples to analyze.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

NASA NTRS1985

A balloon-borne imaging gamma-ray telescope

A balloon-borne coded-aperture gamma-ray telescope for galactic and extragalactic astronomy observations is described. The instrument, called GRIP (Gamma Ray Imaging Payload), is designed for measurements in the energy range from 30 keV to 5 MeV with an angular resolution of 0.6 deg over a 20 deg field of view. Distinguishing characteristics of the telescope are a rotating hexagonal coded-aperture mask and a thick NaI scintillation camera. Rotating hexagonal coded-apertures and the development of thick scintillation cameras are discussed.

Althouse, W. E.↗

DOE OSTI2014

: Small Animal SPECT/CT System Based on Position-Sensitive Semiconductor Detectors

We developed a SPECT/CT system for small-animal imaging utilizing a mechanically cooled, position-sensitive germanium detector for the SPECT camera. The detector offers better energy resolution than any other detector previously used for SPECT and demonstrates dual-isotope imaging capabilities superior to that of current commercial small-animal SPECT systems. We also explored a unique SPECT camera configuration consisting of a silicon detector and germanium detector stacked one behind the other and located behind a multi-pinhole collimator. This scheme is intended for imaging iodine-123 radiotracer distributions, with the ~30 keV x-ray emissions detected in the silicon detector and the 159 keV gamma-ray emissions passing through the silicon and detected in the germanium detector. Image reconstruction methods for combining this multi-energy, multi-magnification data were developed and it was shown that inclusion of the silicon data reduced artifacts in comparison to the germanium data alone.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

NASA NTRS1985

A balloon-borne imaging gamma-ray telescope

A balloon-borne coded-aperture gamma-ray telescope for galactic and extragalactic astronomy observations is described. The instrument, called Gamma Ray Imaging Payload (GRIP), is designed for measurements in the energy range from 30 keV to 5 MeV with an angular resolution of 0.6 deg over a 20 deg field of view. Distinguishing characteristics of the telescope are a rotating hexagonal coded-aperture mask and a thick NaI scintillation camera. Rotating hexagonal coded-apertures and the development of thick scintillation cameras are discussed.

Althouse, W. E.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Future Missions to the Moon

This document contained the following topics: A Miniature Mass Spectrometer Module; SELENE Gamma Ray Spectrometer Using Ge Detector Cooled by Stirling Cryocooler; Lunar Elemental Composition and Investigations with D-CIXS X-Ray Mapping Spectrometer on SMART-1; X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer Onboard the SELENE Lunar Orbiter: Its Science and Instrument; Detectability of Degradation of Lunar Impact Craters by SELENE Terrain Camera; Study of the Apollo 16 Landing Site: As a Standard Site for the SELENE Multiband Imager; Selection of Targets for the SMART-1 Infrared Spectrometer (SIR); Development of a Telescopic Imaging Spectrometer for the Moon; The Lunar Seismic Network: Mission Update.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1992

The search for optical counterparts to BATSE GRBs with the Explosive Transient Camera

The Explosive Transient Camera (ETC), an automatic wide-field sky monitor sensitive to short-timescale optical transients, has been operating in conjunction with BATSE since the launch of GRO. In this paper, we discuss the probability and implications of the ETC monitoring a part of the sky in which BATSE detects a gamma-ray burst.

Vanderspek, Roland↗

DOE OSTI2019

In-Situ Gamma Radiation Mapping Device - 19353

The SRNL developed GrayQb{sup TM} is a passive, low cost gamma radiation mapping device which uses a tungsten pinhole and a phosphor storage plate (PSP) to generate images. Presently, the device requires retrieval to extract images off the PSP using an external scanner. In partnership with Los Alamos National Lab (LANL), SRNL has developed an in-situ GrayQb{sup TM} radiation mapping device eliminating the need to remove the radiation sensitive phosphor storage plate (PSP) from the device for scanning between exposures. By incorporating a customized version of the LANL patented MiniMax camera-based PSP reader system into the GrayQb{sup TM} housing, the exposed PSP can now be read in-situ and digitally transmitted to a remote computer for viewing. In-situ imaging is a valuable addition to GrayQb{sup TM} because of the reduced need of personnel interaction which mitigates risk as well as the option for multiple images being acquired during one deployment. Upgrades implemented which allow for in-situ imaging to be performed include using the tungsten pinhole, a PSP, red LEDs, a blue light filter, and a commercial off the shelf (COTS) color camera. The images are transmitted wirelessly to an external computer. This presentation will discuss the selection, characteristics, and testing of the camera-based PSP reading system, improved PSP materials, and the results/performance of the upgraded GrayQb{sup TM} device. Testing has been performed with simulated radiation exposures as well as A-241 and Cs-137 button sources. These upgrades and tests have been performed over a 12-month period and this presentation will be a summary and conclusion to this year long project. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2024

Commissioning a time-gated camera for fast neutron beamline spatial-energy characterization at LANSCE-WNR spallation source

An energy-resolved fast neutron beam imaging diagnostic has been successfully commissioned at the Weapons Neutron Research (WNR) spallation source within the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) facility. This diagnostic replaces the existing analog phosphor image plates, which integrate across all neutron energies, as well as other particles, with a near-real-time energy-sensitive imaging capability. The system uses a fast plastic scintillator coupled with an intensified CCD camera. Specifically, the Teledyne Pi-MAX4 camera is coupled with either a 4 mm thick Eljen (EJ) 204 or 228 plastic scintillator. These scintillators are most sensitive to the fast neutrons (0.8-800 MeV) directly from the spallation source rather than low energy background radiation. Experimentally, these plastic scintillators were shown to have sufficiently fast decay to differentiate the bright gamma flash from the spallation neutrons. The spatial resolution is dominated by neutron beam divergence, with minimal additional contributions from scatter and light divergence. The system successfully resolved changes in neutron beam characteristics caused by intentional proton steering variations. Additionally, simulations of scintillator light yield as a function of thickness conducted using PHITS (with Scinful-QMD package) found that increasing scintillator thickness from 4 mm to 6 or 8 mm could potentially increase brightness ~ 3x. This may be explored if there is a need to reduce image acquisition time from several minutes to under one minute.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗