Search NASASearch

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “RADIATION DETECTOR”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4

Simple dynamic electromagnetic radiation detector

Detector monitors gamma dose rate at particular position in a radiation facility where a mixed neutron-gamma environment exists, thus determining reactor power level changes. Device also maps gamma intensity profile across a neutron-gamma beam.

Been, J. F.

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) as a radiation detector distinguishing neutrons and gammas

Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) is a promising ultrawide bandgap semiconductor for radiation detection with the potential of integrating electronic and scintillation functions within a single crystal device. This study establishes the scintillation response of β-Ga2O3 gamma irradiation from yttrium-88 (88Y). Then, californium-252 (252Cf) is used as a spontaneous fission source of mixed neutron and gamma radiation field to measure scintillation signals. Pulse shape discrimination and constant fraction discrimination techniques were used to separate neutron and gamma interaction events. Further investigation indicates that the prompt temporal responses of β-Ga2O3 for gammas and neutrons may enable discrimination of the two by prompt pulse fitting methods, focused around the initial peak. For gamma irradiation, we observed a rise time (τr) of 2.1 ns, decay time (τd) of 9.5 ns, and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 6.2 ns. For neutrons, it showed a τr of 2.3 ns, a τd of 12.1 ns, 9.4 ns FWHM, and reduced peak intensity. A diamond detector exhibited a more symmetrical τr and τd for both gamma and neutron signals and therefore is less effective at discriminating between the two by this method. This draws attention to β-Ga2O3’s ability to distinguish neutron and gamma particles. These findings showcase Ga2O3’s potential as a next-generation semiconductor for applications in nuclear safety and medical imaging, where precise discrimination between neutron and gamma interactions is essential.

Valdes, D. J. (ORCID:0000000304373720)

Wide Band Gap Radiation Detectors for Deep Space Science

Understanding how the Sun, Earth, and other objects in the solar system interact with the space radiation environment is crucial for improving activities of humans on Earth and in space. Low-power, low-noise, multidirectional robust detectors for detecting ions with a wide range of mass and energies will provide a more complete understanding of space environment physics. To meet these challenges, new ion detectors based on wide band gap (WBG) semiconductors are being developed for integration on a variety of deep space platforms. NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is applying its expertise and facilities in harsh environment instrumentation to develop supporting technologies to enable improved instruments for space science missions. New detector technologies being developed at GRC include SiC solid-state devices as practical robust, thermally stable large area detectors for LET measurements in compact, stacked charged particle telescope. The low-noise, thermally stable nature of the WBG detectors allows a small multidirectional array of charged particle telescopes to be packed in a 6U CubeSat without active cooling for operation in lunar orbit or deep space. Using a full variety of different WBG detectors, an extremely compact instrument to provide multi-directional, comprehensive (composition, velocity, and direction) in-situ measurements of heavy ions in space plasma environments can be realized.

ion detectors

Recent progress in the transition radiation detector techniques

A list of some of the major experimental achievements involving charged particles in the relativistic region are presented. With the emphasis mainly directed to the X-ray region, certain modes of application of the transition radiation for the identification and separation of relativistic charged particles are discussed. Some recent developments in detection techniques and improvements in detector performances are presented. Experiments were also carried out to detect the dynamic radiation, but no evidence of such an effect was observed.

Yuan, L. C. L.

Research on radiation detectors, boiling transients, and organic lubricants

The accomplishments of a space projects research facility are presented. The subjects discussed are: (1) a study of radiation resistant semiconductor devices, (2) synthesis of high temperature organic lubricants, (3) departure from phase equilibrium during boiling transients, (4) effects of neutron irradiation on defect state in tungsten, and (5) determination of photon response function of NE-213 liquid scintillation detectors.

Source record

The Dielectric Bolometer, A New Type of Thermal Radiation Detector

Thermal detectors for the infrared, such as thermocouples and bolometers, are limited in their ultimate sensitivity predominantly by Johnson noise rather than temperature noise. Low noise figures are hard to achieve since Johnson noise preponderates temperature noise, which is the only essential noise for thermal detectors. The dielectric constants of some materials are sufficiently temperature dependent to make a new type of bolometer feasible. The basic theory of a dielectric bolometer, as shown here, promises noise figures below 3 decibels even at chopper frequencies well above the 1/tau value of the detector. Ferroelectrics such as barium-strontium titanate and others seem to be well suited for radiation-cooled dielectric bolometers.

Hanel, R. A.

Microwave Radiation Detector

Direct photon detector responds to microwave frequencies. Method based on trapped-ion frequency-generation standards proposed to detect radio-frequency (RF) radiation at 40.5 GHz. Technique used for directdetection (RF) communication, radar, and radio astronomy.

Lesh, J. R.

Weakly superconducting, thin-film structures as radiation detectors.

Measurements were taken with weakly superconducting quantum structures of the Notarys-Mercereau type, representing a thin superconductor film with a short region that is weakened in the sense that its transition temperature is lower than in the remaining portion of the film. The structure acts as a superconducting relaxation oscillator in which the supercurrent increases with time until the critical current of the weakened section is attained, at which moment the supercurrent decays and the cycle repeats. Under applied radiation, a series of constant-voltage steps appears in the current-voltage curve, and the size of the steps varies periodically with the amplitude of applied radiation. Measurements of the response characteristics were made in the frequency range of 10 to 450 MHz.

Kirschman, R. K.

Characterization of Crystal Properties and Defects in CdZnTe Radiation Detectors

CdZnTe-based detectors are highly valued because of their high spectral resolution, which is an essential feature for nuclear medical imaging. However, this resolution is compromised when there are substantial defects in the CdZnTe crystals. In this study, we present a learning-based approach to determine the spatially dependent bulk properties and defects in semiconductor detectors. This characterization allows us to mitigate and compensate for the undesired effects caused by crystal impurities. We tested our model with computer-generated noise-free input data, where it showed excellent accuracy, achieving an average RMSE of 0.43% between the predicted and the ground truth crystal properties. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the effect of noisy data on the accuracy of the model.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND

Readout system for radiation detector

Improved electrical circuit determines the amount of light detected by a photomultiplier tube when its output signal is in the dark-current range of the tube. The low-intensity light to which the tube responds arises from a thermo-luminescent ionized dosimeter.

Baker, B. R.

Radiation detector readout system Patent

Circuit design for determining amount of photomultiplier tube light detection utilizing variable current source and dark current signals of opposite polarity

Baker, B. R.

A liquid radiation detector with high spatial resolution

Detector, using point anode, minimizes problem of oblique tracks by permitting construction of very thin counter. Detector is useful in cosmic ray and high energy physics research and X-ray and neutron diffraction technology.

Alvarez, L.