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At least 109 records · Page 6

T-1072: Beam test for muon strips

Beam test for muon strips is an experiment to measure the efficiency, time resolution and longitudinal position resolution of scintillator strips for a muon system at future colliders. The muon system at future colliders is envisioned as several layers of position-sensitive detectors embedded in the iron flux-return yoke of the solenoidal magnet. The role of the muon system is primarily the identification of muons and track matching to the central tracker, besides serving as the tail catcher for the hadronic showers that penetrate beyond the hadron calorimetry. Previous tests performed at Fermilab with cosmic muons have shown that scintillators with wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibers and a SiPM readout offer promising performance (NIM A 823, 2016, pp.120-125). The purpose of the present beam tests is to determine the performance parameters with better accuracy. The measurement setup is schematically presented in Fig. 1. The length of the tested strips will vary between 1 m and 2 m. The scintillator strip to be tested will be placed horizontally perpendicular to the beam on a platform in the area behind the beam dump of MT6.2. Two fast scintillators S1 and S2 with vacuum PMT readout will be placed in front and after the tested strip in the beam. The distance between S1 and S2 is 1 m. One fast scintillator strip S3 will be placed in beam immediately in front of the tested strip, perpendicular to the tested strip. A rack with a CAMAC crate and two NIM crates will be used for the data acquisition. The data collection will be performed and monitored from a PC with USB connection to the CAMAC Crate controller.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Neutron beam imaging at neutron spectrometers at Dhruva

A low efficiency, 2-Dimensional Position Sensitive Neutron Detector based on delay line position encoding is developed. It is designed to handle beam flux of 10{sup 6}-10{sup 7} n/cm{sup 2}/s and for monitoring intensity profiles of neutron beams. The present detector can be mounted in transmission mode, as the hardware allows maximum neutron transmission in sensitive region. Position resolution of 1.2 mm in X and Y directions, is obtained. Online monitoring of beam images and intensity profile of various neutron scattering spectrometers at Dhruva are presented. It shows better dynamic range of intensity over commercial neutron camera and is also time effective over the traditionally used photographic method.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Position-Sensitive Spectrometric Module for Detecting Ionizing Radiation by Semiconductor Strip Detectors

A position-sensitive module for detecting ionizing radiation based on semiconductor strip detectors and a multichannel spectrometric route has been developed and implemented. The dynamic range of the detected charge generated by an ionizing particle in the detector is 5–250 fC. The position-sensitive module is a structurally complete device with the functions of amplifying the spectrometric signal, digitizing, buffering, preprocessing, and transmitting data to a computer.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Characterization of the Ion Beam Focusing in a Mass Spectrometer using an IonCCD™ Detector

A position sensitive pixel-based detector array, referred to as the IonCCDTM, has been employed to characterize the ion optics and ion beam focusing in a custom built mass spectrometer designed for soft and reactive landing of mass-selected ions onto surfaces. The IonCCDTM was placed at several stages along the path of the ion beam to determine the focusing capabilities of the various ion optics which include an electrodynamic ion funnel, two radiofrequency (RF) only collision quadrupoles, a mass resolving quadrupole, a quadrupole bender, and two Einzel lens assemblies. The focusing capabilities of the RF-only collision quadrupoles and Einzel lenses are demonstrated by large decreases in the diameter of the ion beam. In contrast, the mass resolving quadrupole is shown to significantly defocus the mass-selected ion beam resulting in an expansion of the measured ion beam diameter. Combined with SIMION simulations we demonstrate that the IonCCDTM can identify minor errors in the alignment of charged-particle optics that result in erratic trajectories and significant deflections of the ion beam.. This information can be used to improve the design assembly and maintenance of custom-built mass spectrometry instrumentation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

High-Efficiency CdZnTe Position-Sensitive VFG Gamma-Ray Detectors for Safeguards Applications

The goal of this project is to incorporate a Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CdZnTe or CZT) detector (with 1% or better resolution) into a bench-top prototype for isotope identification and related safeguards applications. The bench-top system is based on a 2x2 array of 6x6x20 mm 3 position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid (VFG) CZT detectors. The key features of the array are that it allows for the use of average-grade CZT material with a moderate content of defects, and yet it provides high energy resolution, 1% FWHM at 662 keV, large effective area, and low-power consumption. The development of this type of 3D detector and new instruments incorporating them is motivated by the high cost and low availability of large, > 1 cm 3 , CZT crystals suitable for making multi-pixel detectors with acceptable energy resolution and efficiency.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Development and Testing of an Air Fluorescence Imaging System for the Detection of Radiological Contamination

Detection of radionuclides emitting short-range radiation, such as {alpha} and low-energy {beta} particles, has always presented a challenge, particularly when such radionuclides are dispersed over a wide area. In this situation, conventional detection methods require the area of interest to be surveyed using a fragile probe at very close range--a slow, error-prone, and potentially dangerous process that may take many hours for a single room. The instrument under development uses a novel approach by imaging radiation-induced fluorescence in the air surrounding a contaminated area, rather than detecting the radiation directly. A robust and portable system has been designed and built that will allow contaminated areas to be rapidly detected and delineated. The detector incorporates position-sensitive photo-multiplier tubes, UV filters, a fast electronic shutter and an aspherical phase mask that significantly increases the depth-of-field. Preliminary tests have been conducted using sealed {sup 241}Am sources of varying activities and surface areas. The details of the instrument design will be described and the results of recent testing will be presented.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Detection system for high-resolution gamma radiation spectroscopy with neutron time-of-flight filtering

A .gamma.-radiation detection system that includes at least one semiconductor detector such as HPGe-Detector, a position-sensitive .alpha.-Detector, a TOF Controller, and a Digitizer/Integrator. The Digitizer/Integrator starts to process the energy signals of a .gamma.-radiation sent from the HPGe-Detector instantly when the HPGe-Detector detects the .gamma.-radiation. Subsequently, it is determined whether a coincidence exists between the .alpha.-particles and .gamma.-radiation signal, based on a determination of the time-of-flight of neutrons obtained from the .alpha.-Detector and the HPGe-Detector. If it is determined that the time-of-flight falls within a predetermined coincidence window, the Digitizer/Integrator is allowed to continue and complete the energy signal processing. If, however, there is no coincidence, the Digitizer/Integrator is instructed to be clear and reset its operation instantly.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A 4 x 4 array module of position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe detectors for gamma-ray imaging spectrometers

Arrays of position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe (CZT) detectors offer an economical approach to making high efficiency and high energy resolution gamma cameras for spectroscopy and imaging of radioactive sources. There are many application areas for such instruments including gamma-rays astronomy, medical and industrial imaging, nonproliferation and nuclear safeguards. We present the test results from a 4x4 array module coupled to the front-end ASIC. The array houses 16 detectors made of 6x6x20 mm 3 CZT crystals. Each crystal is encapsulated inside an ultrathin polyester shell and furnished with four 5-mm-wide charge-sensing pads placed near the anode on each side of the detector. The pad’s signals are used to measure X-Y coordinates while the cathode signals give the interaction depths (Z coordinates). Combined together the signals provide 3D position information of the interaction points which can be used to correct the detector response non-uniformity. This allows developers to use standard grade (unselected) CZT crystals while retaining high spectroscopic performance comparable with that of the H3D pixelated detectors. The array’s design provides flexibility to replace individual detectors and extend their sizes, potentially increasing upwards of 4 cm in height. We started development of position-sensitive VFG detectors several years ago and today this technology has reached a high-maturity level and is ready to use in practical applications.

3D charge-loss correction↗

Performance of 8 × 8 × 32 and 10 × 10 × 32 mm 3 CdZnTe position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid detectors for high-energy gamma ray cameras

CdZnTe (CZT) crystals with thicknesses up to 20 mm and diameters up to 75 mm have become available from Redlen Technologies, Inc. for making large-volume gamma-ray detectors. The modified growth and optimized annealing conditions allowed Redlen to minimize the dark current and improve the uniformity of CZT crystals. Two detector designs, pixelated (H3D) and position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid (VFG), have greatly benefitted from the availability of such big crystals. Encouraging results from testing of 40×40×15 mm 3 pixelated detectors were recently reported by the University of Michigan. In this work, we evaluated the spectroscopic properties of 8×8×32 and 10×10×32 mm 3 crystals configured as position-sensitive VFG detectors. Both digitized waveforms and an analog ASIC were used to read and process the signals from the detectors and test their spectral- and spatial-resolution. The VFG design provides the flexibility to scale-up the dimensions of the detectors for the desired efficiency, while the position information allows for correcting the detectors' response non-uniformity caused by crystal defects and devices geometry, thereby reducing the instrument cost and making them more feasible for emerging applications in gamma-ray astronomy, nonproliferation, portal screening and nuclear safeguards, where large detector arrays are often required.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Three-Dimensional Event Localization in Bulk Scintillator Crystals Using Optical Coded Apertures

Scintillator-based detectors are among the most commonly used methods for detecting ionizing radiation. Scintillators provide a reliable, cost-effective, and simple way to make large-volume detectors. Furthermore, localizing the position of the interactions in three dimensions within the crystals is useful to a wide array of fields. The most straightforward way of doing this is to pair the crystal with a position-sensitive phototransducer (PT). This allows for measurement of the shape of the light spot at the PT plane. Using this information, various methods exist to localize the gamma-ray interaction in the crystal; however, the position resolution worsens the farther the event occurs from the PT plane. To improve on the localization ability, this work uses an optical coded-aperture shadow mask between the crystal and the PT. In addition, the recorded detector response is used in reconstructing the event over the entire depth of the crystal, and the “sharpest” reconstructed image gives an event's depth. The lateral position is given from the standard coded-aperture image reconstruction. Lastly, experimental results obtained by emulating a 26-mm-thick crystal using a thin 1-mm-thick NaI(Tl) crystal and different amounts of light pipe between the crystal and the PT plane achieved ~ 1 to 2-mm resolution in all three dimensions throughout most of the 26-mm-thick crystal.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An all-digital associated particle imaging system for the 3D determination of isotopic distributions

Associated particle imaging (API) is a non-destructive nuclear technique for the 3D determination of isotopic distributions. By detecting the alpha particle associated with the emitted neutron in the deuterium–tritium fusion reaction with a position- and time-resolving detector, the direction of the 14.1 MeV neutron and its time of emission can be determined. Employing this method, isotope characteristic gamma rays emitted in inelastic neutron scattering events can be correlated with the neutron interaction location. Here, an API system consisting of a sealed-type neutron generator, gamma detectors, and a position-sensitive alpha detector was designed, constructed, and characterized. The system was tested with common soil elements and shown to be sensitive to 12 C, 16 O, 28 Si, 27 Al, and 56 Fe. New aspects of our approach are the use of a yttrium–aluminum–perovskite scintillator, using a sapphire window instead of a fiber-optic faceplate for light transport to the photomultiplier, and the all-digital data acquisition system. We present a description of the system with simulations and experimental results that show a position resolution on the alpha detector of 1 mm, a depth resolution using a LaBr 3 detector of 6.2 cm, and an angular resolution of 4.5°. Additionally, we present single-element gamma response measurements for the elements mentioned above together with a comparison to Monte Carlo simulations (MCNP6).

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Design and Performance Testing of a Linear Array of Position-Sensitive Virtual Frisch-Grid CdZnTe Detectors for Uranium Enrichment Measurements

Arrays of position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe (CZT) detectors with enhanced energy resolution have been proposed for spectroscopy and imaging of gamma-ray sources in different applications. The flexibility of the array design, which can employ CZT crystals with thicknesses up to several centimeters in the direction of electron drift, allows for integration into different kinds of field-portable instruments. These can include small hand-held devices, compact gamma cameras and large field-of-view imaging systems. In this work, we present results for a small linear array of such detectors optimized for the low-energy region, 50-400 keV gamma-rays, which is principally intended for incorporation into hand-held instruments. There are many potential application areas for such instruments, including uranium enrichment measurements, storage monitoring, dosimetry and other safeguards-related tasks that can benefit from compactness and isotope-identification capability. The array described here provides a relatively large area with a minimum number of readout channels, which potentially allows the developers to avoid using an ASIC-based electronic readout by substituting it with hybrid preamplifiers followed by digitizers. The array prototype consists of six (5x5.7x25 mm3) CZT detectors positioned in a line facing the source to achieve a maximum exposure area (~10 cm2). Each detector is furnished with 5 mm-wide charge-sensing pads placed near the anode. The pad signals are converted into X-Y coordinates for each interaction event, which are combined with the cathode signals (for determining the Z coordinates) to give 3D positional information for all interaction points. This information is used to correct the response non-uniformity caused by material inhomogeneity, which therefore allows the usage of standard-grade (unselected) CZT crystals, while achieving high-resolution spectroscopic performance for the instrument. In this presentation we describe the design of the array, the results from detailed laboratory tests, and preliminary results from measurements taken during a field test.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Design and Performance Testing of a Linear Array of Position-Sensitive Virtual Frisch-Grid CdZnTe Detectors for Uranium Enrichment Measurements

Abstract— Arrays of position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe (CZT) detectors with enhanced energy resolution have been proposed for spectroscopy and imaging of gamma-ray sources in different applications. The flexibility of the array design, which can employ CZT crystals with thicknesses up to several centimeters in the direction of electron drift, allows for integration into different kinds of field-portable instruments. These can include small hand-held devices, compact gamma cameras and large field-of-view imaging systems. In this work, we present results for a small linear array of such detectors optimized for the low-energy region, 50-400 keV gamma-rays, which is principally intended for incorporation into hand-held instruments. There are many potential application areas for such instruments, including uranium enrichment measurements, storage monitoring, dosimetry and other safeguards-related tasks that can benefit from compactness and isotope-identification capability. The array described here provides a relatively large area with a minimum number of readout channels, which potentially allows the developers to avoid using an ASIC-based electronic readout by substituting it with hybrid preamplifiers followed by digitizers. The array prototype consists of six (5x5.7x25 mm3) CZT detectors positioned in a line facing the source to achieve a maximum exposure area (~10 cm2). Each detector is furnished with 5 mm-wide charge-sensing pads placed near the anode. The pad signals are converted into X-Y coordinates for each interaction event, which are combined with the cathode signals (for determining the Z coordinates) to give 3D positional information for all interaction points. This information is used to correct the response non-uniformity caused by material inhomogeneity, which therefore allows the usage of standard-grade (unselected) CZT crystals, while achieving high-resolution spectroscopic performance for the instrument. In this presentation we describe the design of the array, the results from detailed laboratory tests, and preliminary results from measurements taken during a field test.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Liquid chromatography detection unit, system, and method

An embodiment of a liquid chromatography detection unit includes a fluid channel and a radiation detector. The radiation detector is operable to image a distribution of a radiolabeled compound as the distribution travels along the fluid channel. An embodiment of a liquid chromatography system includes an injector, a separation column, and a radiation detector. The injector is operable to inject a sample that includes a radiolabeled compound into a solvent stream. The position sensitive radiation detector is operable to image a distribution of the radiolabeled compound as the distribution travels along a fluid channel. An embodiment of a method of liquid chromatography includes injecting a sample that comprises radiolabeled compounds into a solvent. The radiolabeled compounds are then separated. A position sensitive radiation detector is employed to image distributions of the radiolabeled compounds as the radiolabeled compounds travel along a fluid channel.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Arrays of Position-Sensitive Virtual Frisch-Grid CdZnTe Detectors: Results From a $4\times 4$ Array Prototype

Position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid (VFG) CdZnTe (CZT) detectors offer a unique capability for correcting the response nonuniformities caused by crystal defects. This allowed us to achieve high energy resolution, while using typical-grade commercial CZT crystals with relaxed requirements to their quality, thus reducing the overall cost of detectors. Another advantage of the VFG detectors is that they can be integrated into arrays and used in small compact hand-held instruments or large-area gamma cameras that will enhance detection capability for many practical applications, including nonproliferation, medical imaging, and gamma-ray astronomy. Here in this paper, we present the results from testing small array prototypes coupled with front-end application-specified integrated circuit. Each detector in the array is furnished with 5-mm-wide charge-sensing pads placed near the anode. The pads signals are converted into XY coordinates, which combined with the cathode signals (for Z coordinates) provide 3-D position information of all interaction points. The basic array consists of a number of detectors grouped into 2×2 subarrays, each having a common cathode made by connecting together the cathodes of the individual detectors. Lastly, these features can significantly improve the performance of detectors while using typical-grade low-cost CZT crystals to reduce the overall cost of the proposed instrument.

3-D position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid (VFG) d↗

Systems for increasing the sensitivity of gamma-ray imagers

Systems that increase the position resolution and granularity of double sided segmented semiconductor detectors are provided. These systems increase the imaging resolution capability of such detectors, either used as Compton cameras, or as position sensitive radiation detectors in imagers such as SPECT, PET, coded apertures, multi-pinhole imagers, or other spatial or temporal modulated imagers.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Methods for increasing the sensitivity of gamma-ray imagers

Methods are presented that increase the position resolution and granularity of double sided segmented semiconductor detectors. These methods increase the imaging resolution capability of such detectors, either used as Compton cameras, or as position sensitive radiation detectors in imagers such as SPECT, PET, coded apertures, multi-pinhole imagers, or other spatial or temporal modulated imagers.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗