The SAFIR experiment: Concept, status and perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, Robert; Buck, Alfred; Casella, Chiara; Dissertori, Günther; Fischer, Jannis; Howard, Alexander; Ito, Mikiko; Khateri, Parisa; Lustermann, Werner; Oliver, Josep F.; Röser, Ulf; Warnock, Geoffrey; Weber, Bruno

2017-02-01

The SAFIR development represents a novel Positron Emission Tomography (PET) detector, conceived for preclinical fast acquisitions inside the bore of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner. The goal is hybrid and simultaneous PET/MRI dynamic studies at unprecedented temporal resolutions of a few seconds. The detector relies on matrices of scintillating LSO-based crystals coupled one-to-one with SiPM arrays and readout by fast ASICs with excellent timing resolution and high rate capabilities. The paper describes the detector concept and the initial results in terms of simulations and characterisation measurements.

Fast neutron sensitivity of neutron detectors based on Boron-10 converter layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mauri, G.; Messi, F.; Kanaki, K.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Karnickis, E.; Khaplanov, A.; Piscitelli, F.

2018-03-01

In the last few years many detector technologies for thermal neutron detection have been developed in order to face the shortage of 3He, which is now much less available and more expensive. Moreover the 3He-based detectors can not fulfil the requirements in performance, e.g. the spatial resolution and the counting rate capability needed for the new instruments. The Boron-10-based gaseous detectors have been proposed as a suitable choice. This and other alternative technologies are being developed at ESS. Higher intensities mean higher signals but higher background as well. The signal-to-background ratio is an important feature to study, in particular the γ-ray and the fast neutron contributions. This paper investigates, for the first time, the fast neutrons sensitivity of 10B-based thermal neutron detector. It presents the study of the detector response as a function of energy threshold and the underlying physical mechanisms. The latter are explained with the help of theoretical considerations and simulations.

Detection of fast neutrons from shielded nuclear materials using a semiconductor alpha detector.

PubMed

Pöllänen, R; Siiskonen, T

2014-08-01

The response of a semiconductor alpha detector to fast (>1 MeV) neutrons was investigated by using measurements and simulations. A polyethylene converter was placed in front of the detector to register recoil protons generated by elastic collisions between neutrons and hydrogen nuclei of the converter. The developed prototype equipment was tested with shielded radiation sources. The low background of the detector and insensitivity to high-energy gamma rays above 1 MeV are advantages when the detection of neutron-emitting nuclear materials is of importance. In the case of a (252)Cf neutron spectrum, the intrinsic efficiency of fast neutron detection was determined to be 2.5×10(-4), whereas three-fold greater efficiency was obtained for a (241)AmBe neutron spectrum. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Concepts and Plans towards fast large scale Monte Carlo production for the ATLAS Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritsch, E.; Atlas Collaboration

2014-06-01

The huge success of the physics program of the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) during Run 1 relies upon a great number of simulated Monte Carlo events. This Monte Carlo production takes the biggest part of the computing resources being in use by ATLAS as of now. In this document we describe the plans to overcome the computing resource limitations for large scale Monte Carlo production in the ATLAS Experiment for Run 2, and beyond. A number of fast detector simulation, digitization and reconstruction techniques are being discussed, based upon a new flexible detector simulation framework. To optimally benefit from these developments, a redesigned ATLAS MC production chain is presented at the end of this document.

Efficiency of depleted UO2 based semiconductor neutron detectors in direct and indirect configuration—A GEANT4 simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parida, M. K.; Prabakar, K.; Sundari, S. T.

2018-03-01

In the present work, Monte Carlo simulations using GEANT4 are carried out to estimate the efficiency of semiconductor neutron detectors with depleted UO2 (DUO2) as converter material, in both planar (direct and indirect) and 3D geometry (cylindrical perforation and trenches structure) configurations. The simulations were conducted for neutrons of variable energy viz., thermal (25 meV) and fast (1 to 10 MeV) that were incident on varying thicknesses (0.25 μm to 1000 μm), diameters (1 μm to 9 μm) and widths (1 μm to 9 μm) along with depths (50 μm to 275 μm) of DUO2 for planar, cylindrical perforated and trench structures, respectively. In the case of direct planar detectors, efficiency was found to increase with the thickness of DUO2 and the rate at which efficiency increased was found to follow the macroscopic fission cross section at the corresponding neutron energy. In the case of indirect planar detector, efficiency was lower as compared to direct configuration and was found to saturate beyond a thickness of ~3 μm. This saturation is explained on the basis of mean free path of neutrons in the DUO2 material. For the 3D perforated silicon detectors of cylindrical (trench) geometry, backfilled with DUO2, the efficiency for detection of thermal neutrons ~25 meV and fast neutrons ~ typical energy of 10 MeV was found to be ~0.0159% (~0.0177%) and ~0.0088% (0.0098%), respectively. These efficiency values were two (one) order values higher than planar indirect detector for thermal (fast) neutrons. Histogram plots were also obtained from the GEANT4 simulations to monitor the energy distribution of fission products in planar (direct and indirect) and 3D geometry (cylindrical and trench) configurations. These plots revealed that, for all the detector configurations, the energy deposited by the fission products are higher as compared to the typical gamma ray background. Thus, for detectors with DUO2 as converter material, higher values of low level discriminator (LLD) can be set, so as to achieve good background discrimination.

Status of the EDDA experiment at COSY

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scobel, W.; EDDA Collaboration; Bisplinghoff, J.; Bollmann, R.; Cloth, P.; Dohrmann, F.; Dorner, G.; Drüke, V.; Ernst, J.; Eversheim, P. D.; Filges, D.; Gasthuber, M.; Gebel, R.; Groß, A.; Groß-Hardt, R.; Hinterberger, F.; Jahn, R.; Lahr, U.; Langkau, R.; Lippert, G.; Mayer-Kuckuk, T.; Maschuw, R.; Mertler, G.; Metsch, B.; Mosel, F.; Paetz gen Schieck, H.; Petry, H. R.; Prasuhn, D.; von Przewoski, B.; Rohdjeß, H.; Rosendaal, D.; von Rossen, P.; Scheid, H.; Schirm, N.; Schwandt, F.; Stein, H.; Theis, D.; Weber, J.; Wiedmann, W.; Woller, K.; Ziegler, R.

1993-07-01

The EDDA experiment is designed to study p + p excitation functions with high energy resolution and narrow step size in the kinetic energy range from 250 MeV to 2500 MeV at the Cooler Synchrotron COSY. Measurements during the accelertion phase in conjunction with internal targets will allow to achieve a fast and precise energy variation. Prototypes of the detector elements and the fiber target have been extensively tested with proton and electron beams; the detector performance and trigger efficiency have been studied in Monte Carlo simulations. In this contribution, results concerning detector design, prototype studies, Monte Carlo simulations and the anticipated detector resolutions will be reported.

Monte Carlo simulation of a photodisintegration of 3 H experiment in Geant4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gray, Isaiah

2013-10-01

An upcoming experiment involving photodisintegration of 3 H at the High Intensity Gamma-Ray Source facility at Duke University has been simulated in the software package Geant4. CAD models of silicon detectors and wire chambers were imported from Autodesk Inventor using the program FastRad and the Geant4 GDML importer. Sensitive detectors were associated with the appropriate logical volumes in the exported GDML file so that changes in detector geometry will be easily manifested in the simulation. Probability distribution functions for the energy and direction of outgoing protons were generated using numerical tables from previous theory, and energies and directions were sampled from these distributions using a rejection sampling algorithm. The simulation will be a useful tool to optimize detector geometry, estimate background rates, and test data analysis algorithms. This work was supported by the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory REU program at Duke University.

Towards radiation hard converter material for SiC-based fast neutron detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tripathi, S.; Upadhyay, C.; Nagaraj, C. P.; Venkatesan, A.; Devan, K.

2018-05-01

In the present work, Geant4 Monte-Carlo simulations have been carried out to study the neutron detection efficiency of the various neutron to other charge particle (recoil proton) converter materials. The converter material is placed over Silicon Carbide (SiC) in Fast Neutron detectors (FNDs) to achieve higher neutron detection efficiency as compared to bare SiC FNDs. Hydrogenous converter material such as High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is preferred over other converter materials due to the virtue of its high elastic scattering reaction cross-section for fast neutron detection at room temperature. Upon interaction with fast neutrons, hydrogenous converter material generates recoil protons which liberate e-hole pairs in the active region of SiC detector to provide a detector signal. The neutron detection efficiency offered by HDPE converter is compared with several other hydrogenous materials viz., 1) Lithium Hydride (LiH), 2) Perylene, 3) PTCDA . It is found that, HDPE, though providing highest efficiency among various studied materials, cannot withstand high temperature and harsh radiation environment. On the other hand, perylene and PTCDA can sustain harsh environments, but yields low efficiency. The analysis carried out reveals that LiH is a better material for neutron to other charge particle conversion with competent efficiency and desired radiation hardness. Further, the thickness of LiH has also been optimized for various mono-energetic neutron beams and Am-Be neutron source generating a neutron fluence of 109 neutrons/cm2. The optimized thickness of LiH converter for fast neutron detection is found to be ~ 500 μm. However, the estimated efficiency for fast neutron detection is only 0.1%, which is deemed to be inadequate for reliable detection of neutrons. A sensitivity study has also been done investigating the gamma background effect on the neutron detection efficiency for various energy threshold of Low-Level Discriminator (LLD). The detection efficiency of a stacked structure concept has been explored by juxtaposing several converter-detector layers to improve the efficiency of LiH-SiC-based FNDs . It is observed that approximately tenfold efficiency improvement has been achieved—0.93% for ten layers stacked configuration vis-à-vis 0.1% of single converter-detector layer configuration. Finally, stacked detectors have also been simulated for different converter thicknesses to attain the efficiency as high as ~ 3.25% with the help of 50 stacked layers.

Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

DOE PAGES

Chen, Xi; Heidbrink, William W.; Van Zeeland, Michael A.; ...

2014-08-05

By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of 1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge, and 2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g. Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally-imposed 3D fields, e.g. magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. Additionally, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Xi, E-mail: chenxi@fusion.gat.com; Heidbrink, W. W.; Van Zeeland, M. A.

By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of (1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge and (2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g., Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally imposed 3D fields, e.g., magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. In addition, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

Using neutral beams as a light ion beam probe (invited)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Xi; Heidbrink, William W.; Van Zeeland, Michael A.

By arranging the particle first banana orbits to pass near a distant detector, the light ion beam probe (LIBP) utilizes orbital deflection to probe internal fields and field fluctuations. The LIBP technique takes advantage of 1) the in situ, known source of fast ions created by beam-injected neutral particles that naturally ionize near the plasma edge, and 2) various commonly available diagnostics as its detector. These born trapped particles can traverse the plasma core on their inner banana leg before returning to the plasma edge. Orbital displacements (the forces on fast ions) caused by internal instabilities or edge perturbing fieldsmore » appear as modulated signal at an edge detector. Adjustments in the q-profile and plasma shape that determine the first orbit, as well as the relative position of the source and detector, enable studies under a wide variety of plasma conditions. This diagnostic technique can be used to probe the impact on fast ions of various instabilities, e.g. Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and neoclassical tearing modes, and of externally-imposed 3D fields, e.g. magnetic perturbations. To date, displacements by AEs and by externally applied resonant magnetic perturbation fields have been measured using a fast ion loss detector. Comparisons with simulations are shown. Additionally, nonlinear interactions between fast ions and independent AE waves are revealed by this technique.« less

Conceptual design and optimization of a plastic scintillator array for 2D tomography using a compact D-D fast neutron generator.

PubMed

Adams, Robert; Zboray, Robert; Cortesi, Marco; Prasser, Horst-Michael

2014-04-01

A conceptual design optimization of a fast neutron tomography system was performed. The system is based on a compact deuterium-deuterium fast neutron generator and an arc-shaped array of individual neutron detectors. The array functions as a position sensitive one-dimensional detector allowing tomographic reconstruction of a two-dimensional cross section of an object up to 10 cm across. Each individual detector is to be optically isolated and consists of a plastic scintillator and a Silicon Photomultiplier for measuring light produced by recoil protons. A deterministic geometry-based model and a series of Monte Carlo simulations were used to optimize the design geometry parameters affecting the reconstructed image resolution. From this, it is expected that with an array of 100 detectors a reconstructed image resolution of ~1.5mm can be obtained. Other simulations were performed in order to optimize the scintillator depth (length along the neutron path) such that the best ratio of direct to scattered neutron counts is achieved. This resulted in a depth of 6-8 cm and an expected detection efficiency of 33-37%. Based on current operational capabilities of a prototype neutron generator being developed at the Paul Scherrer Institute, planned implementation of this detector array design should allow reconstructed tomograms to be obtained with exposure times on the order of a few hours. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Test of a prototype neutron spectrometer based on diamond detectors in a fast reactor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osipenko, M.; Ripani, M.; Ricco, G.

2015-07-01

A prototype of neutron spectrometer based on diamond detectors has been developed. This prototype consists of a {sup 6}Li neutron converter sandwiched between two CVD diamond crystals. The radiation hardness of the diamond crystals makes it suitable for applications in low power research reactors, while a low sensitivity to gamma rays and low leakage current of the detector permit to reach good energy resolution. A fast coincidence between two crystals is used to reject background. The detector was read out using two different electronic chains connected to it by a few meters of cable. The first chain was based onmore » conventional charge-sensitive amplifiers, the other used a custom fast charge amplifier developed for this purpose. The prototype has been tested at various neutron sources and showed its practicability. In particular, the detector was calibrated in a TRIGA thermal reactor (LENA laboratory, University of Pavia) with neutron fluxes of 10{sup 8} n/cm{sup 2}s and at the 3 MeV D-D monochromatic neutron source named FNG (ENEA, Rome) with neutron fluxes of 10{sup 6} n/cm{sup 2}s. The neutron spectrum measurement was performed at the TAPIRO fast research reactor (ENEA, Casaccia) with fluxes of 10{sup 9} n/cm{sup 2}s. The obtained spectra were compared to Monte Carlo simulations, modeling detector response with MCNP and Geant4. (authors)« less

Beam distribution reconstruction simulation for electron beam probe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Yong-Chun; Mao, Rui-Shi; Li, Peng; Kang, Xin-Cai; Yin, Yan; Liu, Tong; You, Yao-Yao; Chen, Yu-Cong; Zhao, Tie-Cheng; Xu, Zhi-Guo; Wang, Yan-Yu; Yuan, You-Jin

2017-07-01

An electron beam probe (EBP) is a detector which makes use of a low-intensity and low-energy electron beam to measure the transverse profile, bunch shape, beam neutralization and beam wake field of an intense beam with small dimensions. While it can be applied to many aspects, we limit our analysis to beam distribution reconstruction. This kind of detector is almost non-interceptive for all of the beam and does not disturb the machine environment. In this paper, we present the theoretical aspects behind this technique for beam distribution measurement and some simulation results of the detector involved. First, a method to obtain a parallel electron beam is introduced and a simulation code is developed. An EBP as a profile monitor for dense beams is then simulated using the fast scan method for various target beam profiles, including KV distribution, waterbag distribution, parabolic distribution, Gaussian distribution and halo distribution. Profile reconstruction from the deflected electron beam trajectory is implemented and compared with the actual profile, and the expected agreement is achieved. Furthermore, as well as fast scan, a slow scan, i.e. step-by-step scan, is considered, which lowers the requirement for hardware, i.e. Radio Frequency deflector. We calculate the three-dimensional electric field of a Gaussian distribution and simulate the electron motion in this field. In addition, a fast scan along the target beam direction and slow scan across the beam are also presented, and can provide a measurement of longitudinal distribution as well as transverse profile simultaneously. As an example, simulation results for the China Accelerator Driven Sub-critical System (CADS) and High Intensity Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility (HIAF) are given. Finally, a potential system design for an EBP is described.

Comprehensive approach to fast ion measurements in the beam-driven FRC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magee, Richard; Smirnov, Artem; Onofri, Marco; Dettrick, Sean; Korepanov, Sergey; Knapp, Kurt; the TAE Team

2015-11-01

The C-2U experiment combines tangential neutral beam injection, edge biasing, and advanced recycling control to explore the sustainment of field-reversed configuration (FRC) plasmas. To study fast ion confinement in such advanced, beam-driven FRCs, a synergetic technique was developed that relies on the measurements of the DD fusion reaction products and the hybrid code Q2D, which treats the plasma as a fluid and the fast ions kinetically. Data from calibrated neutron and proton detectors are used in a complementary fashion to constrain the simulations: neutron detectors measure the volume integrated fusion rate to constrain the total number of fast ions, while proton detectors with multiple lines of sight through the plasma constrain the axial profile of fast ions. One application of this technique is the diagnosis of fast ion energy transfer and pitch angle scattering. A parametric numerical study was conducted, in which additional ad hoc loss and scattering terms of varying strengths were introduced in the code and constrained with measurement. Initial results indicate that the energy transfer is predominantly classical, while, in some cases, non-classical pitch angle scattering can be observed.

Preliminary On-Orbit Neutron Dose Equivalent and Energy Spectrum Results from the ISS-RAD Fast Neutron Detector (FND)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Semones, Edward; Leitgab, Martin

2016-01-01

The ISS-RAD instrument was activated on ISS on February 1st, 2016. Integrated in ISS-RAD, the Fast Neutron Detector (FND) performs, for the first time on ISS, routine and precise direct neutron measurements between 0.5 and 8 MeV. Preliminary results for neutron dose equivalent and neutron flux energy distributions from online/on-board algorithms and offline ground analyses will be shown, along with comparisons to simulated data and previously measured neutron spectral data. On-orbit data quality and pre-launch analysis validation results will be discussed as well.

Mapping and uncertainty analysis of energy and pitch angle phase space in the DIII-D fast ion loss detector.

PubMed

Pace, D C; Pipes, R; Fisher, R K; Van Zeeland, M A

2014-11-01

New phase space mapping and uncertainty analysis of energetic ion loss data in the DIII-D tokamak provides experimental results that serve as valuable constraints in first-principles simulations of energetic ion transport. Beam ion losses are measured by the fast ion loss detector (FILD) diagnostic system consisting of two magnetic spectrometers placed independently along the outer wall. Monte Carlo simulations of mono-energetic and single-pitch ions reaching the FILDs are used to determine the expected uncertainty in the measurements. Modeling shows that the variation in gyrophase of 80 keV beam ions at the FILD aperture can produce an apparent measured energy signature spanning across 50-140 keV. These calculations compare favorably with experiments in which neutral beam prompt loss provides a well known energy and pitch distribution.

Determination of efficiency of an aged HPGe detector for gaseous sources by self absorption correction and point source methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarangapani, R.; Jose, M. T.; Srinivasan, T. K.; Venkatraman, B.

2017-07-01

Methods for the determination of efficiency of an aged high purity germanium (HPGe) detector for gaseous sources have been presented in the paper. X-ray radiography of the detector has been performed to get detector dimensions for computational purposes. The dead layer thickness of HPGe detector has been ascertained from experiments and Monte Carlo computations. Experimental work with standard point and liquid sources in several cylindrical geometries has been undertaken for obtaining energy dependant efficiency. Monte Carlo simulations have been performed for computing efficiencies for point, liquid and gaseous sources. Self absorption correction factors have been obtained using mathematical equations for volume sources and MCNP simulations. Self-absorption correction and point source methods have been used to estimate the efficiency for gaseous sources. The efficiencies determined from the present work have been used to estimate activity of cover gas sample of a fast reactor.

Validation of the SimSET simulation package for modeling the Siemens Biograph mCT PET scanner

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poon, Jonathan K.; Dahlbom, Magnus L.; Casey, Michael E.; Qi, Jinyi; Cherry, Simon R.; Badawi, Ramsey D.

2015-02-01

Monte Carlo simulation provides a valuable tool in performance assessment and optimization of system design parameters for PET scanners. SimSET is a popular Monte Carlo simulation toolkit that features fast simulation time, as well as variance reduction tools to further enhance computational efficiency. However, SimSET has lacked the ability to simulate block detectors until its most recent release. Our goal is to validate new features of SimSET by developing a simulation model of the Siemens Biograph mCT PET scanner and comparing the results to a simulation model developed in the GATE simulation suite and to experimental results. We used the NEMA NU-2 2007 scatter fraction, count rates, and spatial resolution protocols to validate the SimSET simulation model and its new features. The SimSET model overestimated the experimental results of the count rate tests by 11-23% and the spatial resolution test by 13-28%, which is comparable to previous validation studies of other PET scanners in the literature. The difference between the SimSET and GATE simulation was approximately 4-8% for the count rate test and approximately 3-11% for the spatial resolution test. In terms of computational time, SimSET performed simulations approximately 11 times faster than GATE simulations. The new block detector model in SimSET offers a fast and reasonably accurate simulation toolkit for PET imaging applications.

TU-H-CAMPUS-IeP1-01: Bias and Computational Efficiency of Variance Reduction Methods for the Monte Carlo Simulation of Imaging Detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sharma, D; Badano, A; Sempau, J

Purpose: Variance reduction techniques (VRTs) are employed in Monte Carlo simulations to obtain estimates with reduced statistical uncertainty for a given simulation time. In this work, we study the bias and efficiency of a VRT for estimating the response of imaging detectors. Methods: We implemented Directed Sampling (DS), preferentially directing a fraction of emitted optical photons directly towards the detector by altering the isotropic model. The weight of each optical photon is appropriately modified to maintain simulation estimates unbiased. We use a Monte Carlo tool called fastDETECT2 (part of the hybridMANTIS open-source package) for optical transport, modified for VRT. Themore » weight of each photon is calculated as the ratio of original probability (no VRT) and the new probability for a particular direction. For our analysis of bias and efficiency, we use pulse height spectra, point response functions, and Swank factors. We obtain results for a variety of cases including analog (no VRT, isotropic distribution), and DS with 0.2 and 0.8 optical photons directed towards the sensor plane. We used 10,000, 25-keV primaries. Results: The Swank factor for all cases in our simplified model converged fast (within the first 100 primaries) to a stable value of 0.9. The root mean square error per pixel for DS VRT for the point response function between analog and VRT cases was approximately 5e-4. Conclusion: Our preliminary results suggest that DS VRT does not affect the estimate of the mean for the Swank factor. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to design VRTs for imaging detector simulations to increase computational efficiency without introducing bias.« less

Mapping and uncertainty analysis of energy and pitch angle phase space in the DIII-D fast ion loss detector

DOE PAGES

Pace, D. C.; Pipes, R.; Fisher, R. K.; ...

2014-08-05

New phase space mapping and uncertainty analysis of energetic ion loss data in the DIII-D tokamak provides experimental results that serve as valuable constraints in first-principles simulations of energetic ion transport. Beam ion losses are measured by the fast ion loss detector (FILD) diagnostic system consisting of two magnetic spectrometers placed independently along the outer wall. Monte Carlo simulations of mono-energetic and single-pitch ions reaching the FILDs are used to determine the expected uncertainty in the measurements. Modeling shows that the variation in gyrophase of 80 keV beam ions at the FILD aperture can produce an apparent measured energy signaturemore » spanning across 50-140 keV. As a result, these calculations compare favorably with experiments in which neutral beam prompt loss provides a well known energy and pitch distribution.« less

VECC array for Nuclear fast Timing and angUlar corRElation studies (VENTURE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, S. S.; Bhattacharjee, T.; Banerjee, D.; Saha, A.; Pandit, Deepak; Mondal, D.; Mukhopadhyay, S.; Pal, Surajit; Bhaskar, P.; Das, S. K.; Banerjee, S. R.

2017-12-01

The VECC array for Nuclear fast Timing and angUlar corRElation studies (VENTURE) has been developed using several fast Cerium-Bromide (CeBr3) scintillators coupled to Hamamatsu R9779 Photomultiplier tubes. The CeBr3 detector has been characterised for the spectroscopic properties like energy response, energy resolution, timing resolution and detection efficiency. The response and efficiency of the detector have been compared with the results obtained from a Monte Carlo simulation with GEANT3 package. A time resolution of 144(1) ps and 109(1) ps was obtained for a single detector using 622-512 keV and 1173-1332 keV cascades respectively. The Generalised Centroid Difference (GCD) method has been employed with CeBr3 detectors by measuring the level lifetimes for the 511.9 keV level of 106Pd and the 160.6 and 383.8 keV levels of 133Cs. The angular correlation measurement was performed for the 1173-1332 keV cascade in 60Ni and the 228-49 keV cascade of 132I nucleus, populated from the decay of 132Te produced via 238U(α, f) reaction.

Explosives detection using photoneutrons produced by X-rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yigang; Li, Yuanjing; Wang, Haidong; Li, Tiezhu; Wu, Bin

2007-08-01

The detection of explosives has become a critical issue after recent terrorist attacks. This paper describes research on explosives detection using photoneutrons from a photoneutron convertor that consists of 20 kg heavy water in an aluminum container whose shape was optimized to most effectively convert X-rays to photoneutrons. The X-rays were produced by a 9 MeV electron accelerator with an average electron current of 100 μA, resulted in a photoneutron yield of >10 11 n/s. Monte-Carlo simulations show that the radiation field is composed of X-ray pulses, fast neutron pulses and thermal neutrons. Both the X-ray and fast neutron pulses are 5 μs wide with a 300 Hz repetition frequency. The thermal neutron flux, which is higher than 10 4 n/cm 2/s, is essentially time invariant. A time shielding circuit was developed for the spectrometry system to halt the sampling process during the intense X-ray pulses. Paraffin, boron carbide and lead were used to protect the detector from interference from the X-rays, fast neutrons, thermal neutrons and background γ-rays coming from the system materials induced by photoneutrons. 5″×5″ NaI (Tl) scintillators were chosen as the detectors to detect the photoneutrons induced γ-rays from the inspected explosive simulant. Nitrogen (6.01 cps) 10.828 MeV γ-rays were detected with one detector from a 50 kg carbamide block placed 60 cm in front of the detector. A collimator was used to reduce the number of background 10.828 MeV γ-rays coming from the nitrogen in the air to improve the signal to background ratio from 0.136 to 1.81. A detector array of seven 5″×5″ NaI (Tl) detectors was used to measure the 2-D distributions of N and H in the sample. The combination of photoneutron analysis and X-ray imaging shows promise for enhancing explosives detection capabilities.

Observation of Air Shower in Uijeongbu Area using the COREA Prototype Detector System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Wooram; Shin, Jae-ik; Kwon, Youngjoon; Yang, Jongmann; Nam, Shinwoo; Park, Il H.; Cheon, ByungGu; Kim, Hang Bae; Bhang, Hyoung Chan; Park, Cheolyoung; Kim, Gyhyuk; Choi, Wooseok; Hwang, MyungJin; Shin, Gwangsik

2018-06-01

We report the study of high energy cosmic rays in Uijeongbu area using a cosmic-ray detector array system. The array consists of three detector stations, each of which contains a set of three scintillators and PMTs, a GPS antenna along with data acquisition system. To identify air shower signals originating from a single cosmic ray, time coincidence information is used. We devised a method for estimating the energy range of air shower data detected by an array of only three detectors, using air shower simulation and citing already known energy spectrum. Also, Fast Fourier Transform(FFT) was applied to study isotropy.

Fiber optic thermal/fast neutron and gamma ray scintillation detector

DOEpatents

Neal, John S.; Mihalczo, John T.

2006-11-28

A detector system that combines a .sup.6Li loaded glass fiber scintillation thermal neutron detector with a fast scintillation detector in a single layered structure. Detection of thermal and fast neutrons and ionizing electromagnetic radiation is achieved in the unified detector structure. The fast scintillator replaces the polyethelene moderator layer adjacent the .sup.6Li loaded glass fiber panel of the neutron detector and acts as the moderator for the glass fibers. Fast neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays are detected in the fast scintillator. Thermal neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays are detected in the glass fiber scintillator.

Fast simulation of the NICER instrument

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doty, John P.; Wampler-Doty, Matthew P.; Prigozhin, Gregory Y.; Okajima, Takashi; Arzoumanian, Zaven; Gendreau, Keith

2016-07-01

The NICER1 mission uses a complicated physical system to collect information from objects that are, by x-ray timing science standards, rather faint. To get the most out of the data we will need a rigorous understanding of all instrumental effects. We are in the process of constructing a very fast, high fidelity simulator that will help us to assess instrument performance, support simulation-based data reduction, and improve our estimates of measurement error. We will combine and extend existing optics, detector, and electronics simulations. We will employ the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA2) to parallelize these calculations. The price of suitable CUDA-compatible multi-giga op cores is about $0.20/core, so this approach will be very cost-effective.

A search for a heavy Majorana neutrino and a radiation damage simulation for the HF detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wetzel, James William

A search for heavy Majorana neutrinos is performed using an event signature defined by two same-sign muons accompanied by two jets. This search is an extension of previous searches, (L3, DELPHI, CMS, ATLAS), using 19.7 fb -1 of data from the 2012 Large Hadron Collider experimental run collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment. A mass window of 40-500 GeV/ c2 is explored. No excess events above Standard Model backgrounds is observed, and limits are set on the mixing element squared, |VmuN|2, as a function of Majorana neutFnrino mass. The Hadronic Forward (HF) Detector's performance will degrade as a function of the number of particles delivered to the detector over time, a quantity referred to as integrated luminosity and measured in inverse femtobarns (fb-1). In order to better plan detector upgrades, the CMS Forward Calorimetry Task Force (FCAL) group and the CMS Hadronic Calorimeter (HCAL) group have requested that radiation damage be simulated and the subsequent performance of the HF subdetector be studied. The simulation was implemented into both the CMS FastSim and CMS FullSim simulation packages. Standard calorimetry performance metrics were computed and are reported. The HF detector can expect to perform well through the planned delivery of 3000 fb-1.

Performance of today’s dual energy CT and future multi energy CT in virtual non-contrast imaging and in iodine quantification: A simulation study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Faby, Sebastian, E-mail: sebastian.faby@dkfz.de; Kuchenbecker, Stefan; Sawall, Stefan

2015-07-15

Purpose: To study the performance of different dual energy computed tomography (DECT) techniques, which are available today, and future multi energy CT (MECT) employing novel photon counting detectors in an image-based material decomposition task. Methods: The material decomposition performance of different energy-resolved CT acquisition techniques is assessed and compared in a simulation study of virtual non-contrast imaging and iodine quantification. The material-specific images are obtained via a statistically optimal image-based material decomposition. A projection-based maximum likelihood approach was used for comparison with the authors’ image-based method. The different dedicated dual energy CT techniques are simulated employing realistic noise models andmore » x-ray spectra. The authors compare dual source DECT with fast kV switching DECT and the dual layer sandwich detector DECT approach. Subsequent scanning and a subtraction method are studied as well. Further, the authors benchmark future MECT with novel photon counting detectors in a dedicated DECT application against the performance of today’s DECT using a realistic model. Additionally, possible dual source concepts employing photon counting detectors are studied. Results: The DECT comparison study shows that dual source DECT has the best performance, followed by the fast kV switching technique and the sandwich detector approach. Comparing DECT with future MECT, the authors found noticeable material image quality improvements for an ideal photon counting detector; however, a realistic detector model with multiple energy bins predicts a performance on the level of dual source DECT at 100 kV/Sn 140 kV. Employing photon counting detectors in dual source concepts can improve the performance again above the level of a single realistic photon counting detector and also above the level of dual source DECT. Conclusions: Substantial differences in the performance of today’s DECT approaches were found for the application of virtual non-contrast and iodine imaging. Future MECT with realistic photon counting detectors currently can only perform comparably to dual source DECT at 100 kV/Sn 140 kV. Dual source concepts with photon counting detectors could be a solution to this problem, promising a better performance.« less

Fixed forced detection for fast SPECT Monte-Carlo simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cajgfinger, T.; Rit, S.; Létang, J. M.; Halty, A.; Sarrut, D.

2018-03-01

Monte-Carlo simulations of SPECT images are notoriously slow to converge due to the large ratio between the number of photons emitted and detected in the collimator. This work proposes a method to accelerate the simulations based on fixed forced detection (FFD) combined with an analytical response of the detector. FFD is based on a Monte-Carlo simulation but forces the detection of a photon in each detector pixel weighted by the probability of emission (or scattering) and transmission to this pixel. The method was evaluated with numerical phantoms and on patient images. We obtained differences with analog Monte Carlo lower than the statistical uncertainty. The overall computing time gain can reach up to five orders of magnitude. Source code and examples are available in the Gate V8.0 release.

Fixed forced detection for fast SPECT Monte-Carlo simulation.

PubMed

Cajgfinger, T; Rit, S; Létang, J M; Halty, A; Sarrut, D

2018-03-02

Monte-Carlo simulations of SPECT images are notoriously slow to converge due to the large ratio between the number of photons emitted and detected in the collimator. This work proposes a method to accelerate the simulations based on fixed forced detection (FFD) combined with an analytical response of the detector. FFD is based on a Monte-Carlo simulation but forces the detection of a photon in each detector pixel weighted by the probability of emission (or scattering) and transmission to this pixel. The method was evaluated with numerical phantoms and on patient images. We obtained differences with analog Monte Carlo lower than the statistical uncertainty. The overall computing time gain can reach up to five orders of magnitude. Source code and examples are available in the Gate V8.0 release.

A machine learning method for fast and accurate characterization of depth-of-interaction gamma cameras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pedemonte, Stefano; Pierce, Larry; Van Leemput, Koen

2017-11-01

Measuring the depth-of-interaction (DOI) of gamma photons enables increasing the resolution of emission imaging systems. Several design variants of DOI-sensitive detectors have been recently introduced to improve the performance of scanners for positron emission tomography (PET). However, the accurate characterization of the response of DOI detectors, necessary to accurately measure the DOI, remains an unsolved problem. Numerical simulations are, at the state of the art, imprecise, while measuring directly the characteristics of DOI detectors experimentally is hindered by the impossibility to impose the depth-of-interaction in an experimental set-up. In this article we introduce a machine learning approach for extracting accurate forward models of gamma imaging devices from simple pencil-beam measurements, using a nonlinear dimensionality reduction technique in combination with a finite mixture model. The method is purely data-driven, not requiring simulations, and is applicable to a wide range of detector types. The proposed method was evaluated both in a simulation study and with data acquired using a monolithic gamma camera designed for PET (the cMiCE detector), demonstrating the accurate recovery of the DOI characteristics. The combination of the proposed calibration technique with maximum- a posteriori estimation of the coordinates of interaction provided a depth resolution of  ≈1.14 mm for the simulated PET detector and  ≈1.74 mm for the cMiCE detector. The software and experimental data are made available at http://occiput.mgh.harvard.edu/depthembedding/.

A framework for porting the NeuroBayes machine learning algorithm to FPGAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baehr, S.; Sander, O.; Heck, M.; Feindt, M.; Becker, J.

2016-01-01

The NeuroBayes machine learning algorithm is deployed for online data reduction at the pixel detector of Belle II. In order to test, characterize and easily adapt its implementation on FPGAs, a framework was developed. Within the framework an HDL model, written in python using MyHDL, is used for fast exploration of possible configurations. Under usage of input data from physics simulations figures of merit like throughput, accuracy and resource demand of the implementation are evaluated in a fast and flexible way. Functional validation is supported by usage of unit tests and HDL simulation for chosen configurations.

Research and development of a dedicated collimator for 14.2 MeV fast neutrons for imaging using a D-T generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabo-Napadensky, I.; Weiss-Babai, R.; Gayer, A.; Vartsky, D.; Bar, D.; Mor, I.; Chacham-Zada, R.; Cohen, M.; Tamim, N.

2012-06-01

One of the main problems in neutron imaging is the scattered radiation that accompanies the direct neutrons that reach the imaging detectors and affect the image quality. We have developed a dedicated collimator for 14.2 MeV fast neutrons. The collimator optimizes the amount of scattered radiation to primary neutrons that arrive at the imaging plane. We have used different materials within the collimator in order to lower the scattered radiation that arrives at the scanned object. The image quality and the signal to noise ratios that are measured show that a mixture of BORAX (Na2B4O7ṡ10H2O) and water in the experimental beam collimator give the best results. We have used GEANT4 to simulate the collimator performance, the simulations predict the optimized material looking on the ratios of the scattered to primary neutrons that contribute in the detector. We present our experimental setup, report the results of the experimental and related simulation studies with neutrons beam generated by a 14.2 MeV D-T neutron generator.

Modeling scintillator and WLS fiber signals for fast Monte Carlo simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez, F. A.; Medina-Tanco, G.

2010-08-01

In this work we present a fast, robust and flexible procedure to simulate electronic signals of scintillator units: plastic scintillator material embedded with a wavelength shifter optical fiber coupled to a photo-multiplier tube which, in turn, is plugged to a front-end electronic board. The simple rationale behind the simulation chain allows to adapt the procedure to a broad range of detectors based on that kind of units. We show that, in order to produce realistic results, the simulation parameters can be properly calibrated against laboratory measurements and used thereafter as input of the simulations. Simulated signals of atmospheric background cosmic ray muons are presented and their main features analyzed and validated using actual measured data. Conversely, for any given practical application, the present simulation scheme can be used to find an adequate combination of photo-multiplier tube and optical fiber at the prototyping stage.

Fast-neutron and gamma-ray imaging with a capillary liquid xenon converter coupled to a gaseous photomultiplier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Israelashvili, I.; Coimbra, A. E. C.; Vartsky, D.; Arazi, L.; Shchemelinin, S.; Caspi, E. N.; Breskin, A.

2017-09-01

Gamma-ray and fast-neutron imaging was performed with a novel liquid xenon (LXe) scintillation detector read out by a Gaseous Photomultiplier (GPM). The 100 mm diameter detector prototype comprised a capillary-filled LXe converter/scintillator, coupled to a triple-THGEM imaging-GPM, with its first electrode coated by a CsI UV-photocathode, operated in Ne/5%CH4 at cryogenic temperatures. Radiation localization in 2D was derived from scintillation-induced photoelectron avalanches, measured on the GPM's segmented anode. The localization properties of 60Co gamma-rays and a mixed fast-neutron/gamma-ray field from an AmBe neutron source were derived from irradiation of a Pb edge absorber. Spatial resolutions of 12± 2 mm and 10± 2 mm (FWHM) were reached with 60Co and AmBe sources, respectively. The experimental results are in good agreement with GEANT4 simulations. The calculated ultimate expected resolutions for our application-relevant 4.4 and 15.1 MeV gamma-rays and 1-15 MeV neutrons are 2-4 mm and ~ 2 mm (FWHM), respectively. These results indicate the potential applicability of the new detector concept to Fast-Neutron Resonance Radiography (FNRR) and Dual-Discrete-Energy Gamma Radiography (DDEGR) of large objects.

Fast Monte Carlo simulation of a dispersive sample on the SEQUOIA spectrometer at the SNS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Granroth, Garrett E; Chen, Meili; Kohl, James Arthur

2007-01-01

Simulation of an inelastic scattering experiment, with a sample and a large pixilated detector, usually requires days of time because of finite processor speeds. We report simulations on an SNS (Spallation Neutron Source) instrument, SEQUOIA, that reduce the time to less than 2 hours by using parallelization and the resources of the TeraGrid. SEQUOIA is a fine resolution (∆E/Ei ~ 1%) chopper spectrometer under construction at the SNS. It utilizes incident energies from Ei = 20 meV to 2 eV and will have ~ 144,000 detector pixels covering 1.6 Sr of solid angle. The full spectrometer, including a 1-D dispersivemore » sample, has been simulated using the Monte Carlo package McStas. This paper summarizes the method of parallelization for and results from these simulations. In addition, limitations of and proposed improvements to current analysis software will be discussed.« less

Deflection angle detecting system for the large-angle and high-linearity fast steering mirror using quadrant detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Yingxue; Wu, Jiabin; San, Xiaogang; Gao, Shijie; Ding, Shaohang; Wang, Jing; Wang, Tao

2018-02-01

A deflection angle detecting system (DADS) using a quadrant detector (QD) is developed to achieve the large deflection angle and high linearity for the fast steering mirror (FSM). The mathematical model of the DADS is established by analyzing the principle of position detecting and error characteristics of the QD. Based on this mathematical model, the method of optimizing deflection angle and linearity of FSM is demonstrated, which is proved feasible by simulation and experimental results. Finally, a QD-based FSM is designed and tested. The results show that it achieves 0.72% nonlinearity, ±2.0 deg deflection angle, and 1.11-μrad resolution. Therefore, the application of this method will be beneficial to design the FSM.

Investigation of neutron interactions with Ge detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baginova, Miloslava; Vojtyla, Pavol; Povinec, Pavel P.

2018-07-01

Interactions of neutrons with a high-purity germanium detector were studied experimentally and by simulations using the GEANT4 tool. Elastic and inelastic scattering of fast neutrons as well as neutron capture on Ge nuclei were observed. Peaks induced by inelastic scattering of neutrons on 70Ge, 72Ge, 73Ge, 74Ge and 76Ge were well visible in the γ-ray spectra. In addition, peaks due to inelastic scattering of neutrons on copper and lead nuclei, including the well-known peak of 208Pb at 2614.51 keV, were detected. The GEANT4 simulations showed that the simulated spectrum was in a good agreement with the experimental one. Differences between the simulated and the measured spectra were due to the high γ-ray intensity of the used neutron source, physics implemented in GEANT4 and contamination of the neutron source.

Improvements in simulation of multiple scattering effects in ATLAS fast simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Basalaev, A. E., E-mail: artem.basalaev@cern.ch

Fast ATLAS Tracking Simulation (Fatras) package was verified on single layer geometry with respect to full simulation with GEANT4. Fatras hadronic interactions and multiple scattering simulation were studied in comparison with GEANT4. Disagreement was found in multiple scattering distributions of primary charged particles (μ, π, e). A new model for multiple scattering simulation was implemented in Fatras. The model was based on R. Frühwirth’s mixture models. New model was tested on single layer geometry and a good agreement with GEANT4 was achieved. Also a comparison of reconstructed tracks’ parameters was performed for Inner Detector geometry, and Fatras with new multiplemore » scattering model proved to have better agreement with GEANT4. New model of multiple scattering was added as a part of Fatras package in the development release of ATLAS software—ATHENA.« less

Simulation of Charge Collection in Diamond Detectors Irradiated with Deuteron-Triton Neutron Sources

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Milocco, Alberto; Trkov, Andrej; Pillon, Mario

2011-12-13

Diamond-based neutron spectrometers exhibit outstanding properties such as radiation hardness, low sensitivity to gamma rays, fast response and high-energy resolution. They represent a very promising application of diamonds for plasma diagnostics in fusion devices. The measured pulse height spectrum is obtained from the collection of helium and beryllium ions produced by the reactions on {sup 12}C. An original code is developed to simulate the production and the transport of charged particles inside the diamond detector. The ion transport methodology is based on the well-known TRIM code. The reactions of interest are triggered using the ENDF/B-VII.0 nuclear data for the neutronmore » interactions on carbon. The model is implemented in the TALLYX subroutine of the MCNP5 and MCNPX codes. Measurements with diamond detectors in a {approx}14 MeV neutron field have been performed at the FNG (Rome, Italy) and IRMM (Geel, Belgium) facilities. The comparison of the experimental data with the simulations validates the proposed model.« less

Low energy recoil detection with a spherical proportional counter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savvidis, I.; Katsioulas, I.; Eleftheriadis, C.; Giomataris, I.; Papaevangellou, T.

2018-01-01

We present results for the detection of low energy nuclear recoils in the keV energy region, from measurements performed with the Spherical Proportional Counter (SPC). An 241Am-9Be fast neutron source is used in order to obtain neutron-nucleus elastic scattering events inside the gaseous volume of the detector. The detector performance in the keV energy region was measured by observing the 5.9 keV line of a 55Fe X-ray source, with energy resolution of 10% (σ). The toolkit GEANT4 was used to simulate the irradiation of the detector by an 241Am-9Be source, while SRIM was used to calculate the Ionization Quenching Factor (IQF), the simulation results are compared with the measurements. The potential of the SPC in low energy recoil detection makes the detector a good candidate for a wide range of applications, including Supernova or reactor neutrino detection and Dark Matter (WIMP) searches (via coherent elastic scattering).

The use of integrated focal plane array technologies in laser microsatellite networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arnon, Shlomi

2004-10-01

Clustering micro satellites in cooperative fly formation constellations leads to high-performance space systems. The only way to achieve high-speed communication between the satellites is by a laser beam with a narrow divergence angle. In order to make the communication successful three types of focal plane detector arrays are required in the communication terminal: acquisition, tracking and communication detector arrays. The acquisition detector array is used to acquire the neighbor satellite using a wide field-of-view telescope. The tracking detector provides fast, real time and accurate direction location of the neighbor satellite. Based on the information from the acquisition and tracking detectors the receiver and transmitter maintain line of sight. The development of large, fast and very sensitive focal plane detector arrays makes it possible to implement the acquisition, tracking and communication with only one focal plane detector array. By doing so it is possible to reduce dramatically the size, weight, and cost of the optics and electronics which leads to lightweight communication terminals. As a result, the satellites are smaller and lighter, which reduces the space mission cost and increases the booster efficiency. In this paper we will present an overview of the concept of integrated focal plane arrays for laser satellite communication. We also present simulation results based on real system parameters and compare different implementation options.

Analysis of SOFCAL calibration data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gregory, John C.

1993-01-01

Ionization calorimeters determine the total energy of a particle by absorbing, within the mass of the calorimeter, the entire energy of the particle or a significant (and determinable) fraction of it. The JACEE group has used passive ionization calorimetery, which employs photographic emulsions as the detector medium, to measure the charge composition and energy spectrum of cosmic rays up to, and exceeding, 10(exp 14)eV. The SOFIC approach depends similarly on the use of three-dimensional nuclear-electromagnetic shower theory to relate the ionization deposits obtained during a shower to the energy of the particle causing the shower. Bundles of thousands of scintillating optical fibers are read out using image-intensified CCD's. Such an event may be triggered by a fast shower detector placed under the instrument or if only heavy particles are of interest, from a fast primary Cerention detector placed above the calorimeter. In the first study, fast Hammatsu photomultiplier tubes were purchased and tested for possible application for a triggering purpose. In the second study, some refinements have been made to the theoretical treatment of hadronic interactions in the central collision region. These will be helpful in improving the simulations necessary for observations of high energy cosmic ray nuclei with a SOFIC.

A new technique to characterize CT scanner bow-tie filter attenuation and applications in human cadaver dosimetry simulations

PubMed Central

Li, Xinhua; Shi, Jim Q.; Zhang, Da; Singh, Sarabjeet; Padole, Atul; Otrakji, Alexi; Kalra, Mannudeep K.; Xu, X. George; Liu, Bob

2015-01-01

Purpose: To present a noninvasive technique for directly measuring the CT bow-tie filter attenuation with a linear array x-ray detector. Methods: A scintillator based x-ray detector of 384 pixels, 307 mm active length, and fast data acquisition (model X-Scan 0.8c4-307, Detection Technology, FI-91100 Ii, Finland) was used to simultaneously detect radiation levels across a scan field-of-view. The sampling time was as short as 0.24 ms. To measure the body bow-tie attenuation on a GE Lightspeed Pro 16 CT scanner, the x-ray tube was parked at the 12 o’clock position, and the detector was centered in the scan field at the isocenter height. Two radiation exposures were made with and without the bow-tie in the beam path. Each readout signal was corrected for the detector background offset and signal-level related nonlinear gain, and the ratio of the two exposures gave the bow-tie attenuation. The results were used in the geant4 based simulations of the point doses measured using six thimble chambers placed in a human cadaver with abdomen/pelvis CT scans at 100 or 120 kV, helical pitch at 1.375, constant or variable tube current, and distinct x-ray tube starting angles. Results: Absolute attenuation was measured with the body bow-tie scanned at 80–140 kV. For 24 doses measured in six organs of the cadaver, the median or maximum difference between the simulation results and the measurements on the CT scanner was 8.9% or 25.9%, respectively. Conclusions: The described method allows fast and accurate bow-tie filter characterization. PMID:26520720

The GeantV project: Preparing the future of simulation

DOE PAGES

Amadio, G.; J. Apostolakis; Bandieramonte, M.; ...

2015-12-23

Detector simulation is consuming at least half of the HEP computing cycles, and even so, experiments have to take hard decisions on what to simulate, as their needs greatly surpass the availability of computing resources. New experiments still in the design phase such as FCC, CLIC and ILC as well as upgraded versions of the existing LHC detectors will push further the simulation requirements. Since the increase in computing resources is not likely to keep pace with our needs, it is therefore necessary to explore innovative ways of speeding up simulation in order to sustain the progress of High Energymore » Physics. The GeantV project aims at developing a high performance detector simulation system integrating fast and full simulation that can be ported on different computing architectures, including CPU accelerators. After more than two years of R&D the project has produced a prototype capable of transporting particles in complex geometries exploiting micro-parallelism, SIMD and multithreading. Portability is obtained via C++ template techniques that allow the development of machine- independent computational kernels. Furthermore, a set of tables derived from Geant4 for cross sections and final states provides a realistic shower development and, having been ported into a Geant4 physics list, can be used as a basis for a direct performance comparison.« less

HEP Software Foundation Community White Paper Working Group - Detector Simulation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Apostolakis, J.

A working group on detector simulation was formed as part of the high-energy physics (HEP) Software Foundation's initiative to prepare a Community White Paper that describes the main software challenges and opportunities to be faced in the HEP field over the next decade. The working group met over a period of several months in order to review the current status of the Full and Fast simulation applications of HEP experiments and the improvements that will need to be made in order to meet the goals of future HEP experimental programmes. The scope of the topics covered includes the main componentsmore » of a HEP simulation application, such as MC truth handling, geometry modeling, particle propagation in materials and fields, physics modeling of the interactions of particles with matter, the treatment of pileup and other backgrounds, as well as signal processing and digitisation. The resulting work programme described in this document focuses on the need to improve both the software performance and the physics of detector simulation. The goals are to increase the accuracy of the physics models and expand their applicability to future physics programmes, while achieving large factors in computing performance gains consistent with projections on available computing resources.« less

A scintillator-based approach to monitor secondary neutron production during proton therapy.

PubMed

Clarke, S D; Pryser, E; Wieger, B M; Pozzi, S A; Haelg, R A; Bashkirov, V A; Schulte, R W

2016-11-01

The primary objective of this work is to measure the secondary neutron field produced by an uncollimated proton pencil beam impinging on different tissue-equivalent phantom materials using organic scintillation detectors. Additionally, the Monte Carlo code mcnpx-PoliMi was used to simulate the detector response for comparison to the measured data. Comparison of the measured and simulated data will validate this approach for monitoring secondary neutron dose during proton therapy. Proton beams of 155- and 200-MeV were used to irradiate a variety of phantom materials and secondary particles were detected using organic liquid scintillators. These detectors are sensitive to fast neutrons and gamma rays: pulse shape discrimination was used to classify each detected pulse as either a neutron or a gamma ray. The mcnpx-PoliMi code was used to simulate the secondary neutron field produced during proton irradiation of the same tissue-equivalent phantom materials. An experiment was performed at the Loma Linda University Medical Center proton therapy research beam line and corresponding models were created using the mcnpx-PoliMi code. The authors' analysis showed agreement between the simulations and the measurements. The simulated detector response can be used to validate the simulations of neutron and gamma doses on a particular beam line with or without a phantom. The authors have demonstrated a method of monitoring the neutron component of the secondary radiation field produced by therapeutic protons. The method relies on direct detection of secondary neutrons and gamma rays using organic scintillation detectors. These detectors are sensitive over the full range of biologically relevant neutron energies above 0.5 MeV and allow effective discrimination between neutron and photon dose. Because the detector system is portable, the described system could be used in the future to evaluate secondary neutron and gamma doses on various clinical beam lines for commissioning and prospective data collection in pediatric patients treated with proton therapy.

A novel fast-neutron detector concept for energy-selective imaging and imaging spectroscopy.

PubMed

Cortesi, M; Dangendorf, V; Zboray, R; Prasser, H-M

2014-07-01

We present and discuss the operational principle of a new fast-neutron detector concept suitable for either energy-selective imaging or for imaging spectroscopy. The detector is comprised of a series of energy-selective stacks of converter foils immersed in a noble-gas based mixture, coupled to a position-sensitive charge readout. Each foil in the various stacks is made of two layers of different thicknesses, fastened together: a hydrogen-rich (plastic) layer for neutron-to-proton conversion, and a hydrogen-free coating to selectively stop/absorb the recoil protons below a certain energy cut-off. The neutron-induced recoil protons, that escape the converter foils, release ionization electrons in the gas gaps between consecutive foils. The electrons are then drifted towards and localized by a position-sensitive charge amplification and readout stage. Comparison of the images detected by stacks with different energy cut-offs allows energy-selective imaging. Neutron energy spectrometry is realized by analyzing the responses of a sufficient large number of stacks of different energy response and unfolding techniques. In this paper, we present the results of computer simulation studies and discuss the expected performance of the new detector concept. Potential applications in various fields are also briefly discussed, in particularly, the application of energy-selective fast-neutron imaging for nuclear safeguards application, with the aim of determining the plutonium content in Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuels.

Measuring muon-induced neutrons with liquid scintillation detector at Soudan mine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, C.; Mei, D.-M.

2014-12-01

We report a direct detection of muon-induced high-energy neutrons with a 12-liter neutron detector fabricated with EJ-301 liquid scintillator operating at Soudan mine for about two years. The detector response to energy from a few MeV up to ˜20 MeV has been calibrated using radioactive sources and cosmic-ray muons. Subsequently, we have calculated the scintillation efficiency for nuclear recoils, up to a few hundred MeV, using Birks' law in the Monte Carlo simulation. Data from an exposure of 655.1 days were analyzed and neutron-induced recoil events were observed in the energy region from 4 to 50 MeV, corresponding to fast neutrons with kinetic energy up to a few hundred MeV, depending on the scattering angle. Combining with the Monte Carlo simulation, the measured muon-induced fast neutron flux is determined to be (2.23 ±0.52 (sta)±0.99 (sys))×10-9 cm-2 s-1 (En >20 MeV ), in a reasonable agreement with the model prediction. The muon flux is found to be (1.65 ±0.02 (sta)±0.1 (sys))×10-7 cm-2 s-1 (Eμ >1 GeV ), consistent with other measurements. As a result, the muon-induced high-energy gamma-ray flux is simulated to be 7.08 ×10-7 cm-2 s-1 (Eγ > 1 MeV ) for the depth of Soudan.

Capabilities, Calibration, and Impact of the ISS-RAD Fast Neutron Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leitgab, Martin

2015-01-01

In the current NASA crew radiation health risk assessment framework, estimates for the neutron contributions to crew radiation exposure largely rely on simulated data with sizeable uncertainties due to the lack of experimental measurements inside the ISS. Integrated in the ISS-RAD instrument, the ISS-RAD Fast Neutron Detector (FND) will deploy to the ISS on one of the next cargo supply missions. Together with the ISS-RAD Charged Particle Detector, the FND will perform, for the first time, routine and precise direct neutron measurements inside the ISS between 0.5 and 80 MeV. The measurements will close the NASA Medical Operations Requirement to monitor neutrons inside the ISS and impact crew radiation health risk assessments by reducing uncertainties on the neutron contribution to crew exposure, enabling more efficient mission planning. The presentation will focus on the FND detection mechanism, calibration results and expectations about the FND's interaction with the mixed radiation field inside the ISS.

The impact of the fast ion fluxes and thermal plasma loads on the design of the ITER fast ion loss detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kocan, M.; Garcia-Munoz, M.; Ayllon-Guerola, J.; Bertalot, L.; Bonnet, Y.; Casal, N.; Galdon, J.; Garcia-Lopez, J.; Giacomin, T.; Gonzalez-Martin, J.; Gunn, J. P.; Rodriguez-Ramos, M.; Reichle, R.; Rivero-Rodriguez, J. F.; Sanchis-Sanchez, L.; Vayakis, G.; Veshchev, E.; Vorpahl, C.; Walsh, M.; Walton, R.

2017-12-01

Thermal plasma loads to the ITER Fast Ion Loss Detector are studied for QDT = 10 burning plasma equilibrium using the 3D field line tracing. The simulations are performed for a FILD insertion 9-13 cm past the port plasma facing surface, optimized for fast ion measurements, and include the worst-case perturbation of the plasma boundary and the error in the magnetic reconstruction. The FILD head is exposed to superimposed time-averaged ELM heat load, static inter-ELM heat flux and plasma radiation. The study includes the estimate of the instantaneous temperature rise due to individual 0.6 MJ controlled ELMs. The maximum time-averaged surface heat load is lesssim 12 MW/m2 and will lead to increase of the FILD surface temperature well below the melting temperature of the materials considered here, for the FILD insertion time of 0.2 s. The worst-case instantaneous temperature rise during controlled 0.6 MJ ELMs is also significantly smaller than the melting temperature of e.g. Tungsten or Molybdenum, foreseen for the FILD housing.

hybrid\\scriptsize{{MANTIS}}: a CPU-GPU Monte Carlo method for modeling indirect x-ray detectors with columnar scintillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Diksha; Badal, Andreu; Badano, Aldo

2012-04-01

The computational modeling of medical imaging systems often requires obtaining a large number of simulated images with low statistical uncertainty which translates into prohibitive computing times. We describe a novel hybrid approach for Monte Carlo simulations that maximizes utilization of CPUs and GPUs in modern workstations. We apply the method to the modeling of indirect x-ray detectors using a new and improved version of the code \\scriptsize{{MANTIS}}, an open source software tool used for the Monte Carlo simulations of indirect x-ray imagers. We first describe a GPU implementation of the physics and geometry models in fast\\scriptsize{{DETECT}}2 (the optical transport model) and a serial CPU version of the same code. We discuss its new features like on-the-fly column geometry and columnar crosstalk in relation to the \\scriptsize{{MANTIS}} code, and point out areas where our model provides more flexibility for the modeling of realistic columnar structures in large area detectors. Second, we modify \\scriptsize{{PENELOPE}} (the open source software package that handles the x-ray and electron transport in \\scriptsize{{MANTIS}}) to allow direct output of location and energy deposited during x-ray and electron interactions occurring within the scintillator. This information is then handled by optical transport routines in fast\\scriptsize{{DETECT}}2. A load balancer dynamically allocates optical transport showers to the GPU and CPU computing cores. Our hybrid\\scriptsize{{MANTIS}} approach achieves a significant speed-up factor of 627 when compared to \\scriptsize{{MANTIS}} and of 35 when compared to the same code running only in a CPU instead of a GPU. Using hybrid\\scriptsize{{MANTIS}}, we successfully hide hours of optical transport time by running it in parallel with the x-ray and electron transport, thus shifting the computational bottleneck from optical to x-ray transport. The new code requires much less memory than \\scriptsize{{MANTIS}} and, as a result, allows us to efficiently simulate large area detectors.

Velocity space resolved absolute measurement of fast ion losses induced by a tearing mode in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galdon-Quiroga, J.; Garcia-Munoz, M.; Sanchis-Sanchez, L.; Mantsinen, M.; Fietz, S.; Igochine, V.; Maraschek, M.; Rodriguez-Ramos, M.; Sieglin, B.; Snicker, A.; Tardini, G.; Vezinet, D.; Weiland, M.; Eriksson, L. G.; The ASDEX Upgrade Team; The EUROfusion MST1 Team

2018-03-01

Absolute flux of fast ion losses induced by tearing modes have been measured by means of fast ion loss detectors (FILD) for the first time in RF heated plasmas in the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. Up to 30 MW m-2 of fast ion losses are measured by FILD at 5 cm from the separatrix, consistent with infra-red camera measurements, with energies in the range of 250-500 keV and pitch angles corresponding to large trapped orbits. A resonant interaction between the fast ions in the high energy tail of the ICRF distribution and a m/n  =  5/4 tearing mode leads to enhanced fast ion losses. Around 9.3 +/- 0.7 % of the fast ion losses are found to be coherent with the mode and scale linearly with its amplitude, indicating the convective nature of the transport mechanism. Simulations have been carried out to estimate the contribution of the prompt losses. A good agreement is found between the simulated and the measured velocity space of the losses. The velocity space resonances that may be responsible for the enhanced fast ion losses are identified.

The light-yield response of a NE-213 liquid-scintillator detector measured using 2-6 MeV tagged neutrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scherzinger, J.; Al Jebali, R.; Annand, J. R. M.; Fissum, K. G.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Kanaki, K.; Lundin, M.; Nilsson, B.; Perrey, H.; Rosborg, A.; Svensson, H.

2016-12-01

The response of a NE-213 liquid-scintillator detector has been measured using tagged neutrons from 2 to 6 MeV originating from an Am/Be neutron source. The neutron energies were determined using the time-of-flight technique. Pulse-shape discrimination was employed to discern between gamma-rays and neutrons. The behavior of both the fast (35 ns) and the combined fast and slow (475 ns) components of the neutron scintillation-light pulses were studied. Three different prescriptions were used to relate the neutron maximum energy-transfer edges to the corresponding recoil-proton scintillation-light yields, and the results were compared to simulations. The overall normalizations of parametrizations which predict the fast or total light yield of the scintillation pulses were also tested. Our results agree with both existing data and existing parametrizations. We observe a clear sensitivity to the portion and length of the neutron scintillation-light pulse considered.

Fast neutron tomography with real-time pulse-shape discrimination in organic scintillation detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joyce, Malcolm J.; Agar, Stewart; Aspinall, Michael D.; Beaumont, Jonathan S.; Colley, Edmund; Colling, Miriam; Dykes, Joseph; Kardasopoulos, Phoevos; Mitton, Katie

2016-10-01

A fast neutron tomography system based on the use of real-time pulse-shape discrimination in 7 organic liquid scintillation detectors is described. The system has been tested with a californium-252 source of dose rate 163 μSv/h at 1 m and neutron emission rate of 1.5×107 per second into 4π and a maximum acquisition time of 2 h, to characterize two 100×100×100 mm3 concrete samples. The first of these was a solid sample and the second has a vertical, cylindrical void. The experimental data, supported by simulations with both Monte Carlo methods and MATLAB®, indicate that the presence of the internal cylindrical void, corners and inhomogeneities in the samples can be discerned. The potential for fast neutron assay of this type with the capability to probe hydrogenous features in large low-Z samples is discussed. Neutron tomography of bulk porous samples is achieved that combines effective penetration not possible with thermal neutrons in the absence of beam hardening.

Simulation study of signal formation in position sensitive planar p-on-n silicon detectors after short range charge injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peltola, T.; Eremin, V.; Verbitskaya, E.; Härkönen, J.

2017-09-01

Segmented silicon detectors (micropixel and microstrip) are the main type of detectors used in the inner trackers of Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiments at CERN. Due to the high luminosity and eventual high fluence of energetic particles, detectors with fast response to fit the short shaping time of 20-25 ns and sufficient radiation hardness are required. Charge collection measurements carried out at the Ioffe Institute have shown a reversal of the pulse polarity in the detector response to short-range charge injection. Since the measured negative signal is about 30-60% of the peak positive signal, the effect strongly reduces the CCE even in non-irradiated detectors. For further investigation of the phenomenon the measurements have been reproduced by TCAD simulations. As for the measurements, the simulation study was applied for the p-on-n strip detectors similar in geometry to those developed for the ATLAS experiment and for the Ioffe Institute designed p-on-n strip detectors with each strip having a window in the metallization covering the p+ implant, allowing the generation of electron-hole pairs under the strip implant. Red laser scans across the strips and the interstrip gap with varying laser diameters and Si-SiO2 interface charge densities (Qf) were carried out. The results verify the experimentally observed negative response along the scan in the interstrip gap. When the laser spot is positioned on the strip p+ implant the negative response vanishes and the collected charge at the active strip increases respectively. The simulation results offer a further insight and understanding of the influence of the oxide charge density in the signal formation. The main result of the study is that a threshold value of Qf, that enables negligible losses of collected charges, is defined. The observed effects and details of the detector response for different charge injection positions are discussed in the context of Ramo's theorem.

A fast and complete GEANT4 and ROOT Object-Oriented Toolkit: GROOT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lattuada, D.; Balabanski, D. L.; Chesnevskaya, S.; Costa, M.; Crucillà, V.; Guardo, G. L.; La Cognata, M.; Matei, C.; Pizzone, R. G.; Romano, S.; Spitaleri, C.; Tumino, A.; Xu, Y.

2018-01-01

Present and future gamma-beam facilities represent a great opportunity to validate and evaluate the cross-sections of many photonuclear reactions at near-threshold energies. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are very important to evaluate the reaction rates and to maximize the detection efficiency but, unfortunately, they can be very cputime-consuming and in some cases very hard to reproduce, especially when exploring near-threshold cross-section. We developed a software that makes use of the validated tracking GEANT4 libraries and the n-body event generator of ROOT in order to provide a fast, realiable and complete MC tool to be used for nuclear physics experiments. This tool is indeed intended to be used for photonuclear reactions at γ-beam facilities with ELISSA (ELI Silicon Strip Array), a new detector array under development at the Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP). We discuss the results of MC simulations performed to evaluate the effects of the electromagnetic induced background, of the straggling due to the target thickness and of the resolution of the silicon detectors.

A fast and pragmatic approach for scatter correction in flat-detector CT using elliptic modeling and iterative optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, Michael; Kalender, Willi A.; Kyriakou, Yiannis

2010-01-01

Scattered radiation is a major source of artifacts in flat detector computed tomography (FDCT) due to the increased irradiated volumes. We propose a fast projection-based algorithm for correction of scatter artifacts. The presented algorithm combines a convolution method to determine the spatial distribution of the scatter intensity distribution with an object-size-dependent scaling of the scatter intensity distributions using a priori information generated by Monte Carlo simulations. A projection-based (PBSE) and an image-based (IBSE) strategy for size estimation of the scanned object are presented. Both strategies provide good correction and comparable results; the faster PBSE strategy is recommended. Even with such a fast and simple algorithm that in the PBSE variant does not rely on reconstructed volumes or scatter measurements, it is possible to provide a reasonable scatter correction even for truncated scans. For both simulations and measurements, scatter artifacts were significantly reduced and the algorithm showed stable behavior in the z-direction. For simulated voxelized head, hip and thorax phantoms, a figure of merit Q of 0.82, 0.76 and 0.77 was reached, respectively (Q = 0 for uncorrected, Q = 1 for ideal). For a water phantom with 15 cm diameter, for example, a cupping reduction from 10.8% down to 2.1% was achieved. The performance of the correction method has limitations in the case of measurements using non-ideal detectors, intensity calibration, etc. An iterative approach to overcome most of these limitations was proposed. This approach is based on root finding of a cupping metric and may be useful for other scatter correction methods as well. By this optimization, cupping of the measured water phantom was further reduced down to 0.9%. The algorithm was evaluated on a commercial system including truncated and non-homogeneous clinically relevant objects.

Some Experimental and Monte Carlo Investigations of the Plastic Scintillators for the Current Mode Measurements at Pulsed Neutron Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rogov, A.; Pepyolyshev, Yu.; Carta, M.; d'Angelo, A.

Scintillation detector (SD) is widely used in neutron and gamma-spectrometry in a count mode. The organic scintillators for the count mode of the detector operation are investigated rather well. Usually, they are applied for measurement of amplitude and time distributions of pulses caused by single interaction events of neutrons or gamma's with scintillator material. But in a large area of scientific research scintillation detectors can alternatively be used on a current mode by recording the average current from the detector. For example,the measurements of the neutron pulse shape at the pulsed reactors or another pulsed neutron sources. So as to get a rather large volume of experimental data at pulsed neutron sources, it is necessary to use the current mode detector for registration of fast neutrons. Many parameters of the SD are changed with a transition from an accounting mode to current one. For example, the detector efficiency is different in counting and current modes. Many effects connected with time accuracy become substantial. Besides, for the registration of solely fast neutrons, as must be in many measurements, in the mixed radiation field of the pulsed neutron sources, SD efficiency has to be determined with a gamma-radiation shield present. Here is no calculations or experimental data on SD current mode operation up to now. The response functions of the detectors can be either measured in high-precision reference fields or calculated by a computer simulation. We have used the MCNP code [1] and carried out some experiments for investigation of the plastic performances in a current mode. There are numerous programs performing simulating similar to the MCNP code. For example, for neutrons there are [2-4], for photons - [5-8]. However, all known codes to use (SCINFUL, NRESP4, SANDYL, EGS49) have more stringent restrictions on the source, geometry and detector characteristics. In MCNP code a lot of these restrictions are absent and you need only to write special additions for proton and electron recoil and transfer energy to light output. These code modifications allow taking into account all processes in organic scintillator influence the light yield.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Xinhua; Shi, Jim Q.; Zhang, Da

Purpose: To present a noninvasive technique for directly measuring the CT bow-tie filter attenuation with a linear array x-ray detector. Methods: A scintillator based x-ray detector of 384 pixels, 307 mm active length, and fast data acquisition (model X-Scan 0.8c4-307, Detection Technology, FI-91100 Ii, Finland) was used to simultaneously detect radiation levels across a scan field-of-view. The sampling time was as short as 0.24 ms. To measure the body bow-tie attenuation on a GE Lightspeed Pro 16 CT scanner, the x-ray tube was parked at the 12 o’clock position, and the detector was centered in the scan field at themore » isocenter height. Two radiation exposures were made with and without the bow-tie in the beam path. Each readout signal was corrected for the detector background offset and signal-level related nonlinear gain, and the ratio of the two exposures gave the bow-tie attenuation. The results were used in the GEANT4 based simulations of the point doses measured using six thimble chambers placed in a human cadaver with abdomen/pelvis CT scans at 100 or 120 kV, helical pitch at 1.375, constant or variable tube current, and distinct x-ray tube starting angles. Results: Absolute attenuation was measured with the body bow-tie scanned at 80–140 kV. For 24 doses measured in six organs of the cadaver, the median or maximum difference between the simulation results and the measurements on the CT scanner was 8.9% or 25.9%, respectively. Conclusions: The described method allows fast and accurate bow-tie filter characterization.« less

PSF modeling by spikes simulations and wings measurements for the MOONS multi fiber spectrograph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li Causi, G.; Lee, D.; Vitali, F.; Royer, F.; Oliva, E.

2016-08-01

The optical design of MOONS, the next generation thousand-fiber NIR spectrograph for the VLT, involves both on-axis reflective collimators and on-axis very fast reflective cameras, which yields both beam obstruction, due to fiber slit and detector support, and image spread, due to propagation within detector substrate. The need to model and control i) the effect of the diffraction spikes produced by these obstructions, ii) the detector-induced shape variation of the Point Spread Function (PSF), and iii) the intensity profile of the PSF wings, leads us to perform both simulations and lab measurements, in order to optimize the spider design and built a reliable PSF model, useful for simulate realistic raw images for testing the data reduction. Starting from the unobstructed PSF variation, as computed with the ZEMAX software, we numerically computed the diffraction spikes for different spider shapes, to which we added the PSF wing profile, as measured on a sample of the MOONS VPH diffraction grating. Finally, we implemented the PSF defocusing due to the thick detector (for the visible channel), we convolved the PSF with the fiber core image, and we added the optical ghosts, so finally obtaining a detailed and realistic PSF model, that we use for spectral extraction testing, cross talk estimation, and sensitivity predictions.

Real-Time Capabilities of a Digital Analyzer for Mixed-Field Assay Using Scintillation Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aspinall, M. D.; Joyce, M. J.; Lavietes, A.; Plenteda, R.; Cave, F. D.; Parker, H.; Jones, A.; Astromskas, V.

2017-03-01

Scintillation detectors offer a single-step detection method for fast neutrons and necessitate real-time acquisition, whereas this is redundant in two-stage thermal detection systems using helium-3 and lithium-6, where the fast neutrons need to be thermalized prior to detection. The relative affordability of scintillation detectors and the associated fast digital acquisition systems have enabled entirely new measurement setups that can consist of sizeable detector arrays. These detectors in most cases rely on photomultiplier tubes, which have significant tolerances and result in variations in detector response functions. The detector tolerances and other environmental instabilities must be accounted for in measurements that depend on matched detector performance. This paper presents recent advances made to a high-speed FPGA-based digitizer. The technology described offers a complete solution for fast-neutron scintillation detectors by integrating multichannel high-speed data acquisition technology with dedicated detector high-voltage supplies. This configuration has significant advantages for large detector arrays that require uniform detector responses. We report on bespoke control software and firmware techniques that exploit real-time functionality to reduce setup and acquisition time, increase repeatability, and reduce statistical uncertainties.

Fast simulation of Proton Induced X-Ray Emission Tomography using CUDA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beasley, D. G.; Marques, A. C.; Alves, L. C.; da Silva, R. C.

2013-07-01

A new 3D Proton Induced X-Ray Emission Tomography (PIXE-T) and Scanning Transmission Ion Microscopy Tomography (STIM-T) simulation software has been developed in Java and uses NVIDIA™ Common Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) to calculate the X-ray attenuation for large detector areas. A challenge with PIXE-T is to get sufficient counts while retaining a small beam spot size. Therefore a high geometric efficiency is required. However, as the detector solid angle increases the calculations required for accurate reconstruction of the data increase substantially. To overcome this limitation, the CUDA parallel computing platform was used which enables general purpose programming of NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPUs) to perform computations traditionally handled by the central processing unit (CPU). For simulation performance evaluation, the results of a CPU- and a CUDA-based simulation of a phantom are presented. Furthermore, a comparison with the simulation code in the PIXE-Tomography reconstruction software DISRA (A. Sakellariou, D.N. Jamieson, G.J.F. Legge, 2001) is also shown. Compared to a CPU implementation, the CUDA based simulation is approximately 30× faster.

A fast-neutron detection detector based on fission material and large sensitive 4H silicon carbide Schottky diode detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Linyue; Liu, Jinliang; Zhang, Jianfu; Chen, Liang; Zhang, Xianpeng; Zhang, Zhongbing; Ruan, Jinlu; Jin, Peng; Bai, Song; Ouyang, Xiaoping

2017-12-01

Silicon carbide radiation detectors are attractive in the measurement of the total numbers of pulsed fast neutrons emitted from nuclear fusion and fission devices because of high neutron-gamma discrimination and good radiation resistance. A fast-neutron detection system was developed based on a large-area 4H-SiC Schottky diode detector and a 235U fission target. Excellent pulse-height spectra of fission fragments induced by mono-energy deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion neutrons and continuous energy fission neutrons were obtained. The detector is proven to be a good candidate for pulsed fast neutron detection in a complex radiation field.

Fast Readout Architectures for Large Arrays of Digital Pixels: Examples and Applications

PubMed Central

Gabrielli, A.

2014-01-01

Modern pixel detectors, particularly those designed and constructed for applications and experiments for high-energy physics, are commonly built implementing general readout architectures, not specifically optimized in terms of speed. High-energy physics experiments use bidimensional matrices of sensitive elements located on a silicon die. Sensors are read out via other integrated circuits bump bonded over the sensor dies. The speed of the readout electronics can significantly increase the overall performance of the system, and so here novel forms of readout architectures are studied and described. These circuits have been investigated in terms of speed and are particularly suited for large monolithic, low-pitch pixel detectors. The idea is to have a small simple structure that may be expanded to fit large matrices without affecting the layout complexity of the chip, while maintaining a reasonably high readout speed. The solutions might be applied to devices for applications not only in physics but also to general-purpose pixel detectors whenever online fast data sparsification is required. The paper presents also simulations on the efficiencies of the systems as proof of concept for the proposed ideas. PMID:24778588

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dias, M F; Department of Radiation Oncology, Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center Massachusetts General Hospital; Seco, J

Purpose: Research in carbon imaging has been growing over the past years, as a way to increase treatment accuracy and patient positioning in carbon therapy. The purpose of this tool is to allow a fast and flexible way to generate CDRR data without the need to use Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. It can also be used to predict future clinically measured data. Methods: A python interface has been developed, which uses information from CT or 4DCT and thetreatment calibration curve to compute the Water Equivalent Path Length (WEPL) of carbon ions. A GPU based ray tracing algorithm computes the WEPLmore » of each individual carbon traveling through the CT voxels. A multiple peak detection method to estimate high contrast margin positioning has been implemented (described elsewhere). MC simulations have been used to simulate carbons depth dose curves in order to simulate the response of a range detector. Results: The tool allows the upload of CT or 4DCT images. The user has the possibility to selectphase/slice of interested as well as position, angle…). The WEPL is represented as a range detector which can be used to assess range dilution and multiple peak detection effects. The tool also provides knowledge of the minimum energy that should be considered for imaging purposes. The multiple peak detection method has been used in a lung tumor case, showing an accuracy of 1mm in determine the exact interface position. Conclusion: The tool offers an easy and fast way to simulate carbon imaging data. It can be used for educational and for clinical purposes, allowing the user to test beam energies and angles before real acquisition. An analysis add-on is being developed, where the used will have the opportunity to select different reconstruction methods and detector types (range or energy). Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT), PhD Grant number SFRH/BD/85749/2012.« less

An improved fast acquisition phase frequency detector for high speed phase-locked loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Lei; Wang, Zongmin; Zhang, Tieliang; Peng, Xinmang

2018-04-01

Phase-locked loops (PLL) have been widely applied in many high-speed designs, such as microprocessors or communication systems. In this paper, an improved fast acquisition phase frequency detector for high speed phase-locked loops is proposed. An improved structure based on dynamic latch is used to eliminate the non-ideal effect such as dead zone and blind zone. And frequency dividers are utilized to vastly extend the phase difference detection range and enhance the operation frequency of the PLL. Proposed PFD has been implemented in 65nm CMOS technology, which occupies an area of 0.0016mm2 and consumes 1.5mW only. Simulation results demonstrate that maximum operation frequency can be up to 5GHz. In addition, the acquisition time of PLL using proposed PFD is 1.0us which is 2.6 times faster than that of the PLL using latch-based PFD without divider.

The PANDA DIRC detectors at FAIR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarz, C.; Ali, A.; Belias, A.; Dzhygadlo, R.; Gerhardt, A.; Götzen, K.; Kalicy, G.; Krebs, M.; Lehmann, D.; Nerling, F.; Patsyuk, M.; Peters, K.; Schepers, G.; Schmitt, L.; Schwiening, J.; Traxler, M.; Zühlsdorf, M.; Böhm, M.; Britting, A.; Eyrich, W.; Lehmann, A.; Pfaffinger, M.; Uhlig, F.; Düren, M.; Etzelmüller, E.; Föhl, K.; Hayrapetyan, A.; Kreutzfeld, K.; Kröck, B.; Merle, O.; Rieke, J.; Schmidt, M.; Wasem, T.; Achenbach, P.; Cardinali, M.; Hoek, M.; Lauth, W.; Schlimme, S.; Sfienti, C.; Thiel, M.; Allison, L.; Hyde, C.

2017-07-01

The PANDA detector at the international accelerator Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research in Europe (FAIR) addresses fundamental questions of hadron physics. An excellent hadronic particle identification (PID) will be accomplished by two DIRC (Detection of Internally Reflected Cherenkov light) counters in the target spectrometer. The design for the barrel region covering polar angles between 22o to 140o is based on the successful BABAR DIRC with several key improvements, such as fast photon timing and a compact imaging region. The novel Endcap Disc DIRC will cover the smaller forward angles between 5o (10o) to 22o in the vertical (horizontal) direction. Both DIRC counters will use lifetime-enhanced microchannel plate PMTs for photon detection in combination with fast readout electronics. Geant4 simulations and tests with several prototypes at various beam facilities have been used to evaluate the designs and validate the expected PID performance of both PANDA DIRC counters.

Smaller, Lower-Power Fast-Neutron Scintillation Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Patel, Jagdish; Blaes, Brent

2008-01-01

Scintillation-based fast-neutron detectors that are smaller and less power-hungry than mainstream scintillation-based fast-neutron detectors are undergoing development. There are numerous applications for such detectors in monitoring fast-neutron fluxes from nuclear reactors, nuclear materials, and natural sources, both on Earth and in outer space. A particularly important terrestrial application for small, low-power, portable fast-neutron detectors lies in the requirement to scan for nuclear materials in cargo and baggage arriving at international transportation facilities. The present development of miniature, low-power scintillation-based fast-neutron detectors exploits recent advances in the fabrication of avalanche photodiodes (APDs). Basically, such a detector includes a plastic scintillator, typically between 300 and 400 m thick with very thin silver mirror coating on all its faces except the one bonded to an APD. All photons generated from scintillation are thus internally reflected and eventually directed to the APD. This design affords not only compactness but also tight optical coupling for utilization of a relatively large proportion of the scintillation light. The combination of this tight coupling and the avalanche-multiplication gain (typically between 750 and 1,000) of the APD is expected to have enough sensitivity to enable monitoring of a fast-neutron flux as small as 1,000 cm(exp -2)s(exp -1). Moreover, pulse-height analysis can be expected to provide information on the kinetic energies of incident neutrons. It has been estimated that a complete, fully developed fast-neutron detector of this type, would be characterized by linear dimensions of the order of 10 cm or less, a mass of no more than about 0.5 kg, and a power demand of no more than a few watts.

High-fidelity artifact correction for cone-beam CT imaging of the brain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sisniega, A.; Zbijewski, W.; Xu, J.; Dang, H.; Stayman, J. W.; Yorkston, J.; Aygun, N.; Koliatsos, V.; Siewerdsen, J. H.

2015-02-01

CT is the frontline imaging modality for diagnosis of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), involving the detection of fresh blood in the brain (contrast of 30-50 HU, detail size down to 1 mm) in a non-contrast-enhanced exam. A dedicated point-of-care imaging system based on cone-beam CT (CBCT) could benefit early detection of TBI and improve direction to appropriate therapy. However, flat-panel detector (FPD) CBCT is challenged by artifacts that degrade contrast resolution and limit application in soft-tissue imaging. We present and evaluate a fairly comprehensive framework for artifact correction to enable soft-tissue brain imaging with FPD CBCT. The framework includes a fast Monte Carlo (MC)-based scatter estimation method complemented by corrections for detector lag, veiling glare, and beam hardening. The fast MC scatter estimation combines GPU acceleration, variance reduction, and simulation with a low number of photon histories and reduced number of projection angles (sparse MC) augmented by kernel de-noising to yield a runtime of ~4 min per scan. Scatter correction is combined with two-pass beam hardening correction. Detector lag correction is based on temporal deconvolution of the measured lag response function. The effects of detector veiling glare are reduced by deconvolution of the glare response function representing the long range tails of the detector point-spread function. The performance of the correction framework is quantified in experiments using a realistic head phantom on a testbench for FPD CBCT. Uncorrected reconstructions were non-diagnostic for soft-tissue imaging tasks in the brain. After processing with the artifact correction framework, image uniformity was substantially improved, and artifacts were reduced to a level that enabled visualization of ~3 mm simulated bleeds throughout the brain. Non-uniformity (cupping) was reduced by a factor of 5, and contrast of simulated bleeds was improved from ~7 to 49.7 HU, in good agreement with the nominal blood contrast of 50 HU. Although noise was amplified by the corrections, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of simulated bleeds was improved by nearly a factor of 3.5 (CNR = 0.54 without corrections and 1.91 after correction). The resulting image quality motivates further development and translation of the FPD-CBCT system for imaging of acute TBI.

Near midplane scintillator-based fast ion loss detector on DIII-D.

PubMed

Chen, X; Fisher, R K; Pace, D C; García-Muñoz, M; Chavez, J A; Heidbrink, W W; Van Zeeland, M A

2012-10-01

A new scintillator-based fast-ion loss detector (FILD) installed near the outer midplane of the plasma has been commissioned on DIII-D. This detector successfully measures coherent fast ion losses produced by fast-ion driven instabilities (≤500 kHz). Combined with the first FILD at ∼45° below the outer midplane [R. K. Fisher, et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 81, 10D307 (2010)], the two-detector system measures poloidal variation of losses. The phase space sensitivity of the new detector (gyroradius r(L) ∼ [1.5-8] cm and pitch angle α ∼ [35°-85°]) is calibrated using neutral beam first orbit loss measurements. Since fast ion losses are localized poloidally, having two FILDs at different poloidal locations allows for the study of losses over a wider range of plasma shapes and types of loss orbits.

Characterization and development of an event-driven hybrid CMOS x-ray detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, Christopher

2015-06-01

Hybrid CMOS detectors (HCD) have provided great benefit to the infrared and optical fields of astronomy, and they are poised to do the same for X-ray astronomy. Infrared HCDs have already flown on the Hubble Space Telescope and the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) mission and are slated to fly on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Hybrid CMOS X-ray detectors offer low susceptibility to radiation damage, low power consumption, and fast readout time to avoid pile-up. The fast readout time is necessary for future high throughput X-ray missions. The Speedster-EXD X-ray HCD presented in this dissertation offers new in-pixel features and reduces known noise sources seen on previous generation HCDs. The Speedster-EXD detector makes a great step forward in the development of these detectors for future space missions. This dissertation begins with an overview of future X-ray space mission concepts and their detector requirements. The background on the physics of semiconductor devices and an explanation of the detection of X-rays with these devices will be discussed followed by a discussion on CCDs and CMOS detectors. Next, hybrid CMOS X-ray detectors will be explained including their advantages and disadvantages. The Speedster-EXD detector and its new features will be outlined including its ability to only read out pixels which contain X-ray events. Test stand design and construction for the Speedster-EXD detector is outlined and the characterization of each parameter on two Speedster-EXD detectors is detailed including read noise, dark current, interpixel capacitance crosstalk (IPC), and energy resolution. Gain variation is also characterized, and a Monte Carlo simulation of its impact on energy resolution is described. This analysis shows that its effect can be successfully nullified with proper calibration, which would be important for a flight mission. Appendix B contains a study of the extreme tidal disruption event, Swift J1644+57, to search for periodicities in its X-ray light curve. iii.

Fast neutron detection at near-core location of a research reactor with a SiC detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lei; Jarrell, Josh; Xue, Sha; Tan, Chuting; Blue, Thomas; Cao, Lei R.

2018-04-01

The measurable charged-particle produced from the fast neutron interactions with the Si and C nucleuses can make a wide bandgap silicon carbide (SiC) sensor intrinsically sensitive to neutrons. The 4H-SiC Schottky detectors have been fabricated and tested at up to 500 °C, presenting only a slightly degraded energy resolution. The response spectrum of the SiC detectors were also obtained by exposing the detectors to external neutron beam irradiation and at a near-core location where gamma-ray field is intense. The fast neutron flux of these two locations are ∼ 4 . 8 × 104cm-2 ṡs-1 and ∼ 2 . 2 × 107cm-2 ṡs-1, respectively. At the external beam location, a Si detector was irradiated side-by-side with SiC detector to disjoin the neutron response from Si atoms. The contribution of gamma ray, neutron scattering, and charged-particles producing reactions in the SiC was discussed. The fast neutron detection efficiencies were determined to be 6 . 43 × 10-4 for the external fast neutron beam irradiation and 6 . 13 × 10-6 for the near-core fast neutron irradiation.

Ultrafast secondary emission X-ray imaging detectors: A possible application to TRD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akkerman, A.; Breskin, A.; Chechik, R.; Elkind, V.; Gibrekhterman, A.; Majewski, S.

1992-05-01

Fist high accuracy, X-ray imaging at high photon flux can be achieved when coupling thin solid convertors to gaseous electron multipliers, operating at low gas pressures. Secondary electrons emitted from the convertor foil are multiplied in several successive amplification elements. The obvious advantages of solid X-ray convertors, as compared to gaseous conversion, are the production of parallax-free images and the fast (subnanosecond) response. These X-ray detectors have many potential applications in basic and applied research. Of particular interest is the possibility of an efficient and ultrafast high resolution imaging of transition radiation (TR), with a reduced d E/d x background. We present experimental results on the operation of secondary emission X-ray (SEX) detectors, their detection efficiency, localization and time resolution. The experimental work is accompanied by mathematical modelling and computer simulation of transition radiation detectors (TRDs) based on CsI TR convertors.

Monte Carlo-based Reconstruction in Water Cherenkov Detectors using Chroma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seibert, Stanley; Latorre, Anthony

2012-03-01

We demonstrate the feasibility of event reconstruction---including position, direction, energy and particle identification---in water Cherenkov detectors with a purely Monte Carlo-based method. Using a fast optical Monte Carlo package we have written, called Chroma, in combination with several variance reduction techniques, we can estimate the value of a likelihood function for an arbitrary event hypothesis. The likelihood can then be maximized over the parameter space of interest using a form of gradient descent designed for stochastic functions. Although slower than more traditional reconstruction algorithms, this completely Monte Carlo-based technique is universal and can be applied to a detector of any size or shape, which is a major advantage during the design phase of an experiment. As a specific example, we focus on reconstruction results from a simulation of the 200 kiloton water Cherenkov far detector option for LBNE.

A silicon strip detector array for energy verification and quality assurance in heavy ion therapy.

PubMed

Debrot, Emily; Newall, Matthew; Guatelli, Susanna; Petasecca, Marco; Matsufuji, Naruhiro; Rosenfeld, Anatoly B

2018-02-01

The measurement of depth dose profiles for range and energy verification of heavy ion beams is an important aspect of quality assurance procedures for heavy ion therapy facilities. The steep dose gradients in the Bragg peak region of these profiles require the use of detectors with high spatial resolution. The aim of this work is to characterize a one dimensional monolithic silicon detector array called the "serial Dose Magnifying Glass" (sDMG) as an independent ion beam energy and range verification system used for quality assurance conducted for ion beams used in heavy ion therapy. The sDMG detector consists of two linear arrays of 128 silicon sensitive volumes each with an effective size of 2mm × 50μm × 100μm fabricated on a p-type substrate at a pitch of 200 μm along a single axis of detection. The detector was characterized for beam energy and range verification by measuring the response of the detector when irradiated with a 290 MeV/u 12 C ion broad beam incident along the single axis of the detector embedded in a PMMA phantom. The energy of the 12 C ion beam incident on the detector and the residual energy of an ion beam incident on the phantom was determined from the measured Bragg peak position in the sDMG. Ad hoc Monte Carlo simulations of the experimental setup were also performed to give further insight into the detector response. The relative response profiles along the single axis measured with the sDMG detector were found to have good agreement between experiment and simulation with the position of the Bragg peak determined to fall within 0.2 mm or 1.1% of the range in the detector for the two cases. The energy of the beam incident on the detector was found to vary less than 1% between experiment and simulation. The beam energy incident on the phantom was determined to be (280.9 ± 0.8) MeV/u from the experimental and (280.9 ± 0.2) MeV/u from the simulated profiles. These values coincide with the expected energy of 281 MeV/u. The sDMG detector response was studied experimentally and characterized using a Monte Carlo simulation. The sDMG detector was found to accurately determine the 12 C beam energy and is suited for fast energy and range verification quality assurance. It is proposed that the sDMG is also applicable for verification of treatment planning systems that rely on particle range. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

FAST CHOPPER DETECTOR HOUSE, TRA665. FIRST FLOOR, PLAN AND SECTION, ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

FAST CHOPPER DETECTOR HOUSE, TRA-665. FIRST FLOOR, PLAN AND SECTION, AS PROPOSED FOR MODIFICATION IN 1962. CONCRETE WALLS THREE FEET THICK. EXISTING WINDOWS IN MTR AND DETECTOR HOUSE WALLS WERE TO BE FILLED IN WITH HIGH-DENSITY BRICK. NOTE 20-METER MARK, WHERE THE FAST CHOPPER DETECTOR HAD BEEN LOCATED. F.C. TORKELSON 842-MTR-665-S-2, 4/1962. INL INDEX NO. 531-0665-60-851-150996, REV. 5. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Reactor Area, Materials & Engineering Test Reactors, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Development towards a fast ion loss detector for the reversed field pinch.

PubMed

Bonofiglo, P J; Anderson, J K; Almagri, A F; Kim, J; Clark, J; Capecchi, W; Sears, S H; Egedal, J

2016-11-01

A fast ion loss detector has been constructed and implemented on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) to investigate energetic ion losses and transport due to energetic particle and MHD instabilities. The detector discriminates particle orbits solely on pitch and consists of two thin-foil, particle collecting plates that are symmetric with respect to the device aperture. One plate collects fast ion signal, while the second aids in the minimization of background and noise effects. Initial measurements are reported along with suggestions for the next design phase of the detector.

Accelerating Science with Generative Adversarial Networks: An Application to 3D Particle Showers in Multilayer Calorimeters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paganini, Michela; de Oliveira, Luke; Nachman, Benjamin

2018-01-01

Physicists at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) rely on detailed simulations of particle collisions to build expectations of what experimental data may look like under different theoretical modeling assumptions. Petabytes of simulated data are needed to develop analysis techniques, though they are expensive to generate using existing algorithms and computing resources. The modeling of detectors and the precise description of particle cascades as they interact with the material in the calorimeter are the most computationally demanding steps in the simulation pipeline. We therefore introduce a deep neural network-based generative model to enable high-fidelity, fast, electromagnetic calorimeter simulation. There are still challenges for achieving precision across the entire phase space, but our current solution can reproduce a variety of particle shower properties while achieving speedup factors of up to 100 000 × . This opens the door to a new era of fast simulation that could save significant computing time and disk space, while extending the reach of physics searches and precision measurements at the LHC and beyond.

Diamond Scattering Detectors for Compton Telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bloser, Peter

The objective of the proposed work is to demonstrate the suitability of artificial singlecrystal diamond detectors (SCDDs) for use as the scattering medium in Compton telescopes for medium-energy gamma-ray astronomy. SCDDs offer the possibility of position and energy resolution comparable to those of silicon solid-state detectors (SSDs), combined with efficiency and timing resolution so-far only achievable using fast scintillators. When integrated with a calorimeter composed of fast inorganic scintillator, such as CeBr3, read out by silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), SCDDs will enable a compact and efficient Compton telescope using time-of-flight (ToF) discrimination to achieve low background and high sensitivity. This detector development project will be a collaboration between the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The proposed work represents an innovative combination of detector technologies originally conceived separately for high-energy astronomy (fast scintillators read out by SiPMs; UNH) and space plasma/particle physics (SCDDs; SwRI). Recently SwRI has demonstrated that SCDDs fabricated using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) show good energy resolution ( 7 keV FWHM), comparable to silicon SSDs, with much faster time response ( ns rise time) due to higher electron/hole mobilities. They are also temperature- and lightinsensitive, and radiation hard. In addition, diamond is low-Z, composed entirely of carbon, but relatively high-density (3.5 g cm-3) compared to silicon or organic scintillator. SCDDs are therefore an intriguing possibility for a new Compton scattering element: if patterned with mm-sized readout electrodes and combined with a fast inorganic scintillator calorimeter, SCDDs could enable a compact but efficient Compton telescope with superior angular and energy resolution, while maintaining ToF background rejection. Such an instrument offers the exciting potential for unprecedented sensitivity, especially at energies < 1 - 2 MeV, on a small-scale mission utilizing recently available SmallSat buses (payload mass <100 kg). We propose to demonstrate this by constructing and testing a small proof-of-concept prototype and, based on its performance, using Monte Carlo simulations to explore the possibilities of furthering MeV science using relatively small-scale space missions.

Dose Enhancement near Metal Interfaces in Synthetic Diamond Based X-ray Dosimeters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alamoudi, Dalal

Diamond is an attractive material for medical dosimetry due to its radiation hardness, fast response, chemical resilience, small sensitive volume, high spatial resolution, near-tissue equivalence, and energy and dose rate independence. These properties make diamond a promising material for medical dosimetry compared to other semiconductor detector materials and wider radiation detection applications. This study is focused on one of the important factors to consider in the radiation detector; the influence of dose enhancement on the photocurrent performance at metallic interfaces in synthetic diamond radiation dosimeters with carbon based electrodes as a function of bias voltages. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations with BEAMnrc code were carried out to simulate the dose enhancement factor (DEF) and compared against the equivalent photocurrent ratio from experimental investigation. MC simulations show that the sensitive region for the absorbed dose distribution covers a few micrometers distances from the interface. Experimentally, two single crystal (SC) and one polycrystalline (PC) samples with carbon based electrodes were used. The samples were each mounted inside a tissue equivalent encapsulation design in order to minimize fluence perturbations. Copper, Gold and Lead have been investigated experimentally as generators of photoelectrons using 50 kVp and 100 kVp X-rays relevant for medical dosimetry. The results show enhancement in the detectors' photocurrent performance when different metals are butted up to the diamond detector. The variation in the photocurrent ratio measurements depends on the type of diamond samples, their electrode fabrication and the applied bias voltages indicating that the dose enhancement from diamond-metal interface modifies the electronic performance of the detector.

A Time of Flight Fast Neutron Imaging System Design Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canion, Bonnie; Glenn, Andrew; Sheets, Steven; Wurtz, Ron; Nakae, Les; Hausladen, Paul; McConchie, Seth; Blackston, Matthew; Fabris, Lorenzo; Newby, Jason

2017-09-01

LLNL and ORNL are designing an active/passive fast neutron imaging system that is flexible to non-ideal detector positioning. It is often not possible to move an inspection object in fieldable imager applications such as safeguards, arms control treaty verification, and emergency response. Particularly, we are interested in scenarios which inspectors do not have access to all sides of an inspection object, due to interfering objects or walls. This paper will present the results of a simulation-based design parameter study, that will determine the optimum system design parameters for a fieldable system to perform time-of-flight based imaging analysis. The imaging analysis is based on the use of an associated particle imaging deuterium-tritium (API DT) neutron generator to get the time-of-flight of radiation induced within an inspection object. This design study will investigate the optimum design parameters for such a system (e.g. detector size, ideal placement, etc.), as well as the upper and lower feasible design parameters that the system can expect to provide results within a reasonable amount of time (e.g. minimum/maximum detector efficiency, detector standoff, etc.). Ideally the final prototype from this project will be capable of using full-access techniques, such as transmission imaging, when the measurement circumstances allow, but with the additional capability of producing results at reduced accessibility.

First results of the silicon telescope using an 'artificial retina' for fast track finding

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Neri, N.; Abba, A.; Caponio, F.

We present the first results of the prototype of a silicon tracker with trigger capabilities based on a novel approach for fast track finding. The working principle of the 'artificial retina' is inspired by the processing of visual images by the brain and it is based on extensive parallelization of data distribution and pattern recognition. The algorithm has been implemented in commercial FPGAs in three main logic modules: a switch for the routing of the detector hits, a pool of engines for the digital processing of the hits, and a block for the calculation of the track parameters. The architecturemore » is fully pipelined and allows the reconstruction of real-time tracks with a latency less then 100 clock cycles, corresponding to 0.25 microsecond at 400 MHz clock. The silicon telescope consists of 8 layers of single-sided silicon strip detectors with 512 strips each. The detector size is about 10 cm x 10 cm and the strip pitch is 183 μm. The detectors are read out by the Beetle chip, a custom ASICs developed for LHCb, which provides the measurement of the hit position and pulse height of 128 channels. The 'artificial retina' algorithm has been implemented on custom data acquisition boards based on FPGAs Xilinx Kintex 7 lx160. The parameters of the tracks detected are finally transferred to host PC via USB 3.0. The boards manage the read-out ASICs and the sampling of the analog channels. The read-out is performed at 40 MHz on 4 channels for each ASIC that corresponds to a decoding of the telescope information at 1.1 MHz. We report on the first results of the fast tracking device and compare with simulations. (authors)« less

Monte Carlo simulation of neutron backscattering from concrete walls in the dense plasma focus laboratory of Bologna University.

PubMed

Frignani, M; Mostacci, D; Rocchi, F; Sumini, M

2005-01-01

Between 2001 and 2003 a 3.2 kJ dense plasma focus (DPF) device has been built at the Montecuccolino Laboratory of the Department of Energy, Nuclear and Environmental Control Engineering (DIENCA) of the University of Bologna. A DPF is a pulsed device in which deuterium nuclear fusion reactions can be obtained through the pinching effects of electromagnetic fields upon a dense plasma. The empirical scale law that governs the total D-D neutron yield from a single pulse of a DPF predicts for this machine a figure of approximately 10(7) fast neutrons per shot. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the role of backscattering of neutrons from the concrete walls surrounding the Montecuccolino DPF in total neutron yield measurements. The evaluation is performed by MCNP-5 simulations that are aimed at estimating the neutron spectra at a few points of interest in the laboratory, where neutron detectors will be placed during the experimental campaigns. Spectral information from the simulations is essential because the response of detectors is influenced by neutron energy. Comparisons are made with the simple r(-2) law, which holds for a DPF in infinite vacuum. The results from the simulations will ultimately be used both in the design and optimisation of the neutron detectors and in their final calibration and placement inside the laboratory.

Monte Carlo analysis of tagged neutron beams for cargo container inspection.

PubMed

Pesente, S; Lunardon, M; Nebbia, G; Viesti, G; Sudac, D; Valkovic, V

2007-12-01

Fast neutrons produced via D+T reactions and tagged by the associated particle technique have been recently proposed to inspect cargo containers. The general characteristics of this technique are studied with Monte Carlo simulations by determining the properties of the tagged neutron beams as a function of the relevant design parameters (energy and size of the deuteron beam, geometry of the charged particle detector). Results from simulations, validated by experiments, show that the broadening of the correlation between the alpha-particle and the neutron, induced by kinematical as well as geometrical (beam and detector size) effects, is important and limits the dimension of the minimum voxel to be inspected. Moreover, the effect of the container filling is explored. The material filling produces a sizeable loss of correlation between alpha-particles and neutrons due to scattering and absorption. Conditions in inspecting cargo containers are discussed.

The Effect of Photon Statistics and Pulse Shaping on the Performance of the Wiener Filter Crystal Identification Algorithm Applied to LabPET Phoswich Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yousefzadeh, Hoorvash Camilia; Lecomte, Roger; Fontaine, Réjean

2012-06-01

A fast Wiener filter-based crystal identification (WFCI) algorithm was recently developed to discriminate crystals with close scintillation decay times in phoswich detectors. Despite the promising performance of WFCI, the influence of various physical factors and electrical noise sources of the data acquisition chain (DAQ) on the crystal identification process was not fully investigated. This paper examines the effect of different noise sources, such as photon statistics, avalanche photodiode (APD) excess multiplication noise, and front-end electronic noise, as well as the influence of different shaping filters on the performance of the WFCI algorithm. To this end, a PET-like signal simulator based on a model of the LabPET DAQ, a small animal APD-based digital PET scanner, was developed. Simulated signals were generated under various noise conditions with CR-RC shapers of order 1, 3, and 5 having different time constants (τ). Applying the WFCI algorithm to these simulated signals showed that the non-stationary Poisson photon statistics is the main contributor to the identification error of WFCI algorithm. A shaping filter of order 1 with τ = 50 ns yielded the best WFCI performance (error 1%), while a longer shaping time of τ = 100 ns slightly degraded the WFCI performance (error 3%). Filters of higher orders with fast shaping time constants (10-33 ns) also produced good WFCI results (error 1.4% to 1.6%). This study shows the advantage of the pulse simulator in evaluating various DAQ conditions and confirms the influence of the detection chain on the WFCI performance.

Fast neutron imaging device and method

DOEpatents

Popov, Vladimir; Degtiarenko, Pavel; Musatov, Igor V.

2014-02-11

A fast neutron imaging apparatus and method of constructing fast neutron radiography images, the apparatus including a neutron source and a detector that provides event-by-event acquisition of position and energy deposition, and optionally timing and pulse shape for each individual neutron event detected by the detector. The method for constructing fast neutron radiography images utilizes the apparatus of the invention.

X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy using a fast pixel array detector with a grid mask resolution enhancer.

PubMed

Hoshino, Taiki; Kikuchi, Moriya; Murakami, Daiki; Harada, Yoshiko; Mitamura, Koji; Ito, Kiminori; Tanaka, Yoshihito; Sasaki, Sono; Takata, Masaki; Jinnai, Hiroshi; Takahara, Atsushi

2012-11-01

The performance of a fast pixel array detector with a grid mask resolution enhancer has been demonstrated for X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) measurements to investigate fast dynamics on a microscopic scale. A detecting system, in which each pixel of a single-photon-counting pixel array detector, PILATUS, is covered by grid mask apertures, was constructed for XPCS measurements of silica nanoparticles in polymer melts. The experimental results are confirmed to be consistent by comparison with other independent experiments. By applying this method, XPCS measurements can be carried out by customizing the hole size of the grid mask to suit the experimental conditions, such as beam size, detector size and sample-to-detector distance.

A large surface neutron and photon detector for civil security applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Vita, R.; Ambi, F.; Battaglieri, M.; Osipenko, M.; Piombo, D.; Ricco, G.; Ripani, M.; Taiuti, M.

2010-05-01

The security of ports and transportation is of utmost importance for the development of economy and the security of a nation. Among the necessary actions to ensure the security of ports and borders, the inspection of containers is one of the most time consuming and expensive procedures. Potential threats are the illegal traffic of radioactive materials that could be employed for the construction of weapons, as uranium and plutonium. New techniques for the inspections of containers should be fast, allow the detection and identification of dangerous materials, and be non-invasive, to reduce costs and delays. We propose to build a large surface photon and neutron detector based on plastic scintillator to identify the presence of fissile or fertile material inside a container. The detector consists of scintillator bars, wrapped in thin foils of reflecting material containing gadolinium for neutron capture and arranged in planes separated by few-millimeter-thick lead sheets. The total instrumented surface is a few squared meters. Neutrons emitted by fissile materials are identified by gadolinium capture, which results in a high multiplicity gamma flash with total energy of 8 MeV. Photons emitted by the same source are detected via their Compton interaction in the scintillating material. The discrimination between photons and neutrons is achieved by measuring the number of bars of the detector that measured a signal above threshold. The resulting multiplicity is a clear signature of the particle type. First simulations of the detector response with GEANT4 have shown that a detection efficiency of 20-30% for neutrons emitted by fissile materials and a photon/neutron rejection ratio of more than two orders of magnitude can be achieved. Based on these simulations, the sensitivity of the detector to known amounts of plutonium and uranium was estimated. In this contribution, the conceptual design of the detector will be reviewed, the results of the simulations will be presented and the plan of measurements to be performed on a prototype will be discussed.

Plastic Scintillator Based Detector for Observations of Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barghi, M. R., Sr.; Delaney, N.; Forouzani, A.; Wells, E.; Parab, A.; Smith, D.; Martinez, F.; Bowers, G. S.; Sample, J.

2017-12-01

We present an overview of the concept and design of the Light and Fast TGF Recorder (LAFTR), a balloon borne gamma-ray detector designed to observe Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes (TGFs). Terrestrial Gamma-Ray Flashes (TGFs) are extremely bright, sub-millisecond bursts of gamma-rays observed to originate inside thunderclouds coincident with lightning. LAFTR is joint institutional project built by undergraduates at the University of California Santa Cruz and Montana State University. It consists of a detector system fed into analog front-end electronics and digital processing. The presentation focuses specifically on the UCSC components, which consists of the detector system and analog front-end electronics. Because of the extremely high count rates observed during TGFs, speed is essential for both the detector and electronics of the instrument. The detector employs a fast plastic scintillator (BC-408) read out by a SensL Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM). BC-408 is chosen for its speed ( 4 ns decay time) and low cost and availability. Furthermore, GEANT3 simulations confirm the scintillator is sensitive to 500 counts at 7 km horizontal distance from the TGF source (for a 13 km source altitude and 26 km balloon altitude) and to 5 counts out to 20 km. The signal from the SiPM has a long exponential decay tail and is sent to a custom shaping circuit board that amplifies and shapes the signal into a semi-Gaussian pulse with a 40 ns FWHM. The signal is then input to a 6-channel discriminator board that clamps the signal and outputs a Low Voltage Differential Signal (LVDS) for processing by the digital electronics.

Micro-machined thermo-conductivity detector

DOEpatents

Yu, Conrad

2003-01-01

A micro-machined thermal conductivity detector for a portable gas chromatograph. The detector is highly sensitive and has fast response time to enable detection of the small size gas samples in a portable gas chromatograph which are in the order of nanoliters. The high sensitivity and fast response time are achieved through micro-machined devices composed of a nickel wire, for example, on a silicon nitride window formed in a silicon member and about a millimeter square in size. In addition to operating as a thermal conductivity detector, the silicon nitride window with a micro-machined wire therein of the device can be utilized for a fast response heater for PCR applications.

Fast neutron detection with a segmented spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langford, T. J.; Bass, C. D.; Beise, E. J.; Breuer, H.; Erwin, D. K.; Heimbach, C. R.; Nico, J. S.

2015-01-01

A fast neutron spectrometer consisting of segmented plastic scintillator and 3He proportional counters was constructed for the measurement of neutrons in the energy range 1-200 MeV. We discuss its design, principles of operation, and the method of analysis. The detector is capable of observing very low neutron fluxes in the presence of ambient gamma background and does not require scintillator pulse-shape discrimination. The spectrometer was characterized for its energy response in fast neutron fields of 2.5 MeV and 14 MeV, and the results are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. Measurements of the fast neutron flux and energy response at 120 m above sea-level (39.130°N, 77.218°W) and at a depth of 560 m in a limestone mine are presented. Finally, the design of a spectrometer with improved sensitivity and energy resolution is discussed.

Image-based deep learning for classification of noise transients in gravitational wave detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razzano, Massimiliano; Cuoco, Elena

2018-05-01

The detection of gravitational waves has inaugurated the era of gravitational astronomy and opened new avenues for the multimessenger study of cosmic sources. Thanks to their sensitivity, the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo interferometers will probe a much larger volume of space and expand the capability of discovering new gravitational wave emitters. The characterization of these detectors is a primary task in order to recognize the main sources of noise and optimize the sensitivity of interferometers. Glitches are transient noise events that can impact the data quality of the interferometers and their classification is an important task for detector characterization. Deep learning techniques are a promising tool for the recognition and classification of glitches. We present a classification pipeline that exploits convolutional neural networks to classify glitches starting from their time-frequency evolution represented as images. We evaluated the classification accuracy on simulated glitches, showing that the proposed algorithm can automatically classify glitches on very fast timescales and with high accuracy, thus providing a promising tool for online detector characterization.

Impact of the neutron detector choice on Bell and Glasstone spatial correction factor for subcriticality measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talamo, Alberto; Gohar, Y.; Cao, Y.; Zhong, Z.; Kiyavitskaya, H.; Bournos, V.; Fokov, Y.; Routkovskaya, C.

2012-03-01

In subcritical assemblies, the Bell and Glasstone spatial correction factor is used to correct the measured reactivity from different detector positions. In addition to the measuring position, several other parameters affect the correction factor: the detector material, the detector size, and the energy-angle distribution of source neutrons. The effective multiplication factor calculated by computer codes in criticality mode slightly differs from the average value obtained from the measurements in the different experimental channels of the subcritical assembly, which are corrected by the Bell and Glasstone spatial correction factor. Generally, this difference is due to (1) neutron counting errors; (2) geometrical imperfections, which are not simulated in the calculational model, and (3) quantities and distributions of material impurities, which are missing from the material definitions. This work examines these issues and it focuses on the detector choice and the calculation methodologies. The work investigated the YALINA Booster subcritical assembly of Belarus, which has been operated with three different fuel enrichments in the fast zone either: high (90%) and medium (36%), medium (36%), or low (21%) enriched uranium fuel.

Fast and High Dynamic Range Imaging with Superconducting Tunnel Junction Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuo, Hiroshi

2014-08-01

We have demonstrated a combined test of the submillimeter-wave SIS photon detectors and GaAs-JFET cryogenic integrated circuits. A relatively large background photo-current can be read out by fast-reset integrating amplifiers. An integration time of 1 ms enables fast frame rate readout and large dynamic range imaging, with an expected dynamic range of 8,000 in 1 ms. Ultimate fast and high dynamic range performance of superconducting tunnel junction detectors (STJ) will be obtained when photon counting capabilities are employed. In the terahertz frequencies, when input photon rate of 100 MHz is measured, the photon bunching gives us enough timing resolution to be used as phase information of intensity fluctuation. Application of photon statistics will be a new tool in the terahertz frequency region. The design parameters of STJ terahertz photon counting detectors are discussed.

Fast, Large-Area, Wide-Bandgap UV Photodetector for Cherenkov Light Detection

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wrbanek, John D.; Wrbanek, Susan Y.

2013-01-01

Due to limited resources available for power and space for payloads, miniaturizing and integrating instrumentation is a high priority for addressing the challenges of manned and unmanned deep space missions to high Earth orbit (HEO), near Earth objects (NEOs), Lunar and Martian orbits and surfaces, and outer planetary systems, as well as improvements to high-altitude aircraft safety. New, robust, and compact detectors allow future instrumentation packages more options in satisfying specific mission goals. A solid-state ultraviolet (UV) detector was developed with a theoretical fast response time and large detection area intended for application to Cherenkov detectors. The detector is based on the wide-bandgap semiconductor zinc oxide (ZnO), which in a bridge circuit can detect small, fast pulses of UV light like those required for Cherenkov detectors. The goal is to replace the role of photomultiplier tubes in Cherenkov detectors with these solid-state devices, saving on size, weight, and required power. For improving detection geometry, a spherical detector to measure high atomic number and energy (HZE) ions from any direction has been patented as part of a larger space radiation detector system. The detector will require the development of solid-state UV photodetectors fast enough (2 ns response time or better) to detect the shockwave of Cherenkov light emitted as the ions pass through a quartz, sapphire, or acrylic ball. The detector must be small enough to fit in the detector system structure, but have an active area large enough to capture enough Cherenkov light from the sphere. The detector is fabricated on bulk single-crystal undoped ZnO. Inter - digitated finger electrodes and contact pads are patterned via photolithography, and formed by sputtered metal of silver, platinum, or other high-conductivity metal.

Development of an integrated four-channel fast avalanche-photodiode detector system with nanosecond time resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhenjie; Li, Qiuju; Chang, Jinfan; Ma, Yichao; Liu, Peng; Wang, Zheng; Hu, Michael Y.; Zhao, Jiyong; Alp, E. E.; Xu, Wei; Tao, Ye; Wu, Chaoqun; Zhou, Yangfan

2017-10-01

A four-channel nanosecond time-resolved avalanche-photodiode (APD) detector system is developed at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation. It uses a single module for signal processing and readout. This integrated system provides better reliability and flexibility for custom improvement. The detector system consists of three parts: (i) four APD sensors, (ii) four fast preamplifiers and (iii) a time-digital-converter (TDC) readout electronics. The C30703FH silicon APD chips fabricated by Excelitas are used as the sensors of the detectors. It has an effective light-sensitive area of 10 × 10 mm2 and an absorption layer thickness of 110 μm. A fast preamplifier with a gain of 59 dB and bandwidth of 2 GHz is designed to readout of the weak signal from the C30703FH APD. The TDC is realized by a Spartan-6 field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA) with multiphase method in a resolution of 1ns. The arrival time of all scattering events between two start triggers can be recorded by the TDC. The detector has been used for nuclear resonant scattering study at both Advanced Photon Source and also at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility. For the X-ray energy of 14.4 keV, the time resolution, the full width of half maximum (FWHM) of the detector (APD sensor + fast amplifier) is 0.86 ns, and the whole detector system (APD sensors + fast amplifiers + TDC readout electronics) achieves a time resolution of 1.4 ns.

Demodulation Algorithms for the Ofdm Signals in the Time- and Frequency-Scattering Channels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bochkov, G. N.; Gorokhov, K. V.; Kolobkov, A. V.

2016-06-01

We consider a method based on the generalized maximum-likelihood rule for solving the problem of reception of the signals with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing of their harmonic components (OFDM signals) in the time- and frequency-scattering channels. The coherent and incoherent demodulators effectively using the time scattering due to the fast fading of the signal are developed. Using computer simulation, we performed comparative analysis of the proposed algorithms and well-known signal-reception algorithms with equalizers. The proposed symbolby-symbol detector with decision feedback and restriction of the number of searched variants is shown to have the best bit-error-rate performance. It is shown that under conditions of the limited accuracy of estimating the communication-channel parameters, the incoherent OFDMsignal detectors with differential phase-shift keying can ensure a better bit-error-rate performance compared with the coherent OFDM-signal detectors with absolute phase-shift keying.

Gamma signatures of the C-BORD Tagged Neutron Inspection System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sardet, A.; Pérot, B.; Carasco, C.; Sannié, G.; Moretto, S.; Nebbia, G.; Fontana, C.; Pino, F.; Iovene, A.; Tintori, C.

2018-01-01

In the frame of C-BORD project (H2020 program of the EU), a Rapidly relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System (RRTNIS) is being developed to non-intrusively detect explosives, chemical threats, and other illicit goods in cargo containers. Material identification is performed through gamma spectroscopy, using twenty NaI detectors and four LaBr3 detectors, to determine the different elements composing the inspected item from their specific gamma signatures induced by fast neutrons. This is performed using an unfolding algorithm to decompose the energy spectrum of a suspect item, selected by X-ray radiography and on which the RRTNIS inspection is focused, on a database of pure element gamma signatures. This paper reports on simulated signatures for the NaI and LaBr3 detectors, constructed using the MCNP6 code. First experimental spectra of a few elements of interest are also presented.

Measurement, modeling, and simulation of cryogenic SiGe HBT amplifier circuits for fast single spin readout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

England, Troy; Curry, Matthew; Carr, Steve; Swartzentruber, Brian; Lilly, Michael; Bishop, Nathan; Carrol, Malcolm

2015-03-01

Fast, low-power quantum state readout is one of many challenges facing quantum information processing. Single electron transistors (SETs) are potentially fast, sensitive detectors for performing spin readout of electrons bound to Si:P donors. From a circuit perspective, however, their output impedance and nonlinear conductance are ill suited to drive the parasitic capacitance typical of coaxial conductors used in cryogenic environments, necessitating a cryogenic amplification stage. We will discuss calibration data, as well as modeling and simulation of cryogenic silicon-germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) circuits connected to a silicon SET and operating at 4 K. We find a continuum of solutions from simple, single-HBT amplifiers to more complex, multi-HBT circuits suitable for integration, with varying noise levels and power vs. bandwidth tradeoffs. This work was performed, in part, at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, a U.S. DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences user facility. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed-Martin Company, for the U. S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000.

The effect of a radial electric field on ripple-trapped ions observed by neutral particle fluxes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Heikkinen, J.A.; Herrmann, W.; Kurki-Suonio, T.

1997-10-01

The effect of a radial electric field on nonthermal ripple-trapped ions is investigated using toroidal Monte Carlo simulations for edge tokamak plasmas. The increase in the neutral particle flux from the ions trapped in local magnetic wells observed by the charge exchange (CX) detector at a low confinement to high confinement transition at ASDEX (Axially Symmetric Divertor Experiment). Upgrade tokamak [{ital Proceedings of the 20th European Conference on Controlled Fusion and Plasma Physics}, Lisbon (European Physical Society, Petit-Lancy, Switzerland, 1993), Vol. 17C, Part I, p. 267] is reproduced in the simulations by turning on a radial electric field near themore » plasma periphery. The poloidal and toroidal angles at which the CX detector signal is most sensitive to the radial electric field are determined. A fast response time of the signal in the range of 50{endash}100 {mu}s to the appearance of the electric field can be found in the simulations with a relatively large half-width of the negative electric field region. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Charge collection and non-ionizing radiation tolerance of CMOS pixel sensors using a 0.18 μm CMOS process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ying; Zhu, Hongbo; Zhang, Liang; Fu, Min

2016-09-01

The proposed Circular Electron Positron Collider (CEPC) will be primarily aimed for precision measurements of the discovered Higgs boson. Its innermost vertex detector, which will play a critical role in heavy-flavor tagging, must be constructed with fine-pitched silicon pixel sensors with low power consumption and fast readout. CMOS pixel sensor (CPS), as one of the most promising candidate technologies, has already demonstrated its excellent performance in several high energy physics experiments. Therefore it has been considered for R&D for the CEPC vertex detector. In this paper, we present the preliminary studies to improve the collected signal charge over the equivalent input capacitance ratio (Q / C), which will be crucial to reduce the analog power consumption. We have performed detailed 3D device simulation and evaluated potential impacts from diode geometry, epitaxial layer properties and non-ionizing radiation damage. We have proposed a new approach to improve the treatment of the boundary conditions in simulation. Along with the TCAD simulation, we have designed the exploratory prototype utilizing the TowerJazz 0.18 μm CMOS imaging sensor process and we will verify the simulation results with future measurements.

FUX-Sim: Implementation of a fast universal simulation/reconstruction framework for X-ray systems.

PubMed

Abella, Monica; Serrano, Estefania; Garcia-Blas, Javier; García, Ines; de Molina, Claudia; Carretero, Jesus; Desco, Manuel

2017-01-01

The availability of digital X-ray detectors, together with advances in reconstruction algorithms, creates an opportunity for bringing 3D capabilities to conventional radiology systems. The downside is that reconstruction algorithms for non-standard acquisition protocols are generally based on iterative approaches that involve a high computational burden. The development of new flexible X-ray systems could benefit from computer simulations, which may enable performance to be checked before expensive real systems are implemented. The development of simulation/reconstruction algorithms in this context poses three main difficulties. First, the algorithms deal with large data volumes and are computationally expensive, thus leading to the need for hardware and software optimizations. Second, these optimizations are limited by the high flexibility required to explore new scanning geometries, including fully configurable positioning of source and detector elements. And third, the evolution of the various hardware setups increases the effort required for maintaining and adapting the implementations to current and future programming models. Previous works lack support for completely flexible geometries and/or compatibility with multiple programming models and platforms. In this paper, we present FUX-Sim, a novel X-ray simulation/reconstruction framework that was designed to be flexible and fast. Optimized implementation for different families of GPUs (CUDA and OpenCL) and multi-core CPUs was achieved thanks to a modularized approach based on a layered architecture and parallel implementation of the algorithms for both architectures. A detailed performance evaluation demonstrates that for different system configurations and hardware platforms, FUX-Sim maximizes performance with the CUDA programming model (5 times faster than other state-of-the-art implementations). Furthermore, the CPU and OpenCL programming models allow FUX-Sim to be executed over a wide range of hardware platforms.

The Endcap Disc DIRC of PANDA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Düren, M.; Etzelmüller, E.; Föhl, K.; Hayrapetyan, A.; Kröck, B.; Merle, O.; Rieke, J.; Schmidt, M.; Wasem, T.; Britting, A.; Eyrich, W.; Lehmann, A.; Pfaffinger, M.; Uhlig, F.; Belias, A.; Dzhygadlo, R.; Gerhardt, A.; Götzen, K.; Kalicy, G.; Krebs, M.; Lehmann, D.; Nerling, F.; Patsyuk, M.; Peters, K.; Schepers, G.; Schmitt, L.; Schwarz, C.; Schwiening, J.; Traxler, M.; Zühlsdorf, M.; Cowie, E.; Keri, T.; Achenbach, P.; Cardinali, M.; Hoek, M.; Lauth, W.; Schlimme, S.; Sfienti, C.; Thiel, M.

2017-12-01

The Endcap Disc DIRC (EDD) for PANDA has been designed to identify traversing pions, kaons and protons in the future PANDA experiment. Its central part is a 2 cm thick fused silica plate. Focussing optics are attached to the outer rim of the plate, outside of the acceptance of the experiment. Fast, high-resolution MCP-PMTs, designed to register single Cherenkov photons, have been tested in magnetic field. Filters limit the spectral acceptance of the sensors to reduce dispersion effects and to extend their lifetime. A compact and fast readout is realized with ASICs. Analytical reconstruction algorithms allow for fast particle identification. The angular resolution of a DIRC prototype has been simulated in Monte Carlo and confirmed in a test beam. The final detector will be able to provide a 4 σπ / K separation up to a momentum of 4 GeV / c .

The ROSPHERE γ-ray spectroscopy array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bucurescu, D.; Căta-Danil, I.; Ciocan, G.; Costache, C.; Deleanu, D.; Dima, R.; Filipescu, D.; Florea, N.; Ghiţă, D. G.; Glodariu, T.; Ivaşcu, M.; Lică, R.; Mărginean, N.; Mărginean, R.; Mihai, C.; Negret, A.; Niţă, C. R.; Olăcel, A.; Pascu, S.; Sava, T.; Stroe, L.; Şerban, A.; Şuvăilă, R.; Toma, S.; Zamfir, N. V.; Căta-Danil, G.; Gheorghe, I.; Mitu, I. O.; Suliman, G.; Ur, C. A.; Braunroth, T.; Dewald, A.; Fransen, C.; Bruce, A. M.; Podolyák, Zs.; Regan, P. H.; Roberts, O. J.

2016-11-01

The ROmanian array for SPectroscopy in HEavy ion REactions (ROSPHERE) has been designed as a multi-detector setup dedicated to γ-ray spectroscopy studies at the Bucharest 9 MV Tandem accelerator. Consisting of up to 25 detectors (either Compton suppressed HPGe detectors or fast LaBr3(Ce) scintillator detectors) together with a state of the art plunger device, ROSPHERE is a powerful tool for lifetime measurements using the Recoil Distance Doppler Shift (RDDS) and the in-beam Fast Electronic Scintillation Timing (FEST) methods. The array's geometry, detectors, electronics and data acquisition system are described. Selected results from the first experimental campaigns are also presented.

Fast and high resolution thermal detector based on an aluminum nitride piezoelectric microelectromechanical resonator with an integrated suspended heat absorbing element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hui, Yu; Rinaldi, Matteo

2013-03-01

This letter presents a miniaturized, fast, and high resolution thermal detector, in which a heat absorbing element and a temperature sensitive microelectromechanical system (MEMS) resonator are perfectly overlapped but separated by a microscale air gap. This unique design guarantees efficient and fast (˜10s μs) heat transfer from the absorbing element to the temperature sensitive device and enables high resolution thermal power detection (˜nW), thanks to the low noise performance of the high quality factor (Q = 2305) MEMS resonant thermal detector. A device prototype was fabricated, and its detection capabilities were experimentally characterized. A thermal power as low as 150 nW was experimentally measured, and a noise equivalent power of 6.5 nW/Hz1/2 was extracted. A device thermal time constant of only 350 μs was measured (smallest ever reported for MEMS resonant thermal detectors), indicating the great potential of the proposed technology for the implementation of ultra-fast and high resolution un-cooled resonant thermal detectors.

Development of the fast and efficient gamma detector using Cherenkov light for TOF-PET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Canot, C.; Alokhina, M.; Abbon, P.; Bard, J. P.; Tauzin, G.; Yvon, D.; Sharyy, V.

2017-12-01

In this paper we present two configurations of innovative gamma detectors using Cherenkov light for time-of-flight—Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The first uses heavy crystals as a Cherenkov radiator to develop a demonstrator for a whole body PET scanner with high detection efficiency. We demonstrated a 30% detection efficiency and a 180 ps (FWHM) time resolution, mainly limited by the time transit spread of the photomultiplier. The second configuration uses an innovative liquid, the TriMethyl Bismuth, to develop a high precision brain-scanning PET device with time-of-flight capability. According to Geant4 simulation, we expect to reach a precision of 150 ps (FWHM) and an efficiency of about 25%.

Distributions-per-level: a means of testing level detectors and models of patch-clamp data.

PubMed

Schröder, I; Huth, T; Suitchmezian, V; Jarosik, J; Schnell, S; Hansen, U P

2004-01-01

Level or jump detectors generate the reconstructed time series from a noisy record of patch-clamp current. The reconstructed time series is used to create dwell-time histograms for the kinetic analysis of the Markov model of the investigated ion channel. It is shown here that some additional lines in the software of such a detector can provide a powerful new means of patch-clamp analysis. For each current level that can be recognized by the detector, an array is declared. The new software assigns every data point of the original time series to the array that belongs to the actual state of the detector. From the data sets in these arrays distributions-per-level are generated. Simulated and experimental time series analyzed by Hinkley detectors are used to demonstrate the benefits of these distributions-per-level. First, they can serve as a test of the reliability of jump and level detectors. Second, they can reveal beta distributions as resulting from fast gating that would usually be hidden in the overall amplitude histogram. Probably the most valuable feature is that the malfunctions of the Hinkley detectors turn out to depend on the Markov model of the ion channel. Thus, the errors revealed by the distributions-per-level can be used to distinguish between different putative Markov models of the measured time series.

First measurement of the VESUVIO neutron spectrum in the 30-80 MeV energy range using a Proton Recoil Telescope technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cazzaniga, C.; Tardocchi, M.; Croci, G.; Frost, C.; Giacomelli, L.; Grosso, G.; Hjalmarsson, A.; Rebai, M.; Rhodes, N. J.; Schooneveld, E. M.; Gorini, G.

2013-11-01

Measurements of the fast neutron energy spectrum at the ISIS spallation source are reported. The measurements were performed with a Proton Recoil Telescope consisting of a thin plastic foil placed in the neutron beam and two scintillator detectors. Results in the neutron energy range 30 MeV < En < 80 MeV are in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations of the neutron spectrum.

Classification of ring artifacts for their effective removal using type adaptive correction schemes.

PubMed

Anas, Emran Mohammad Abu; Lee, Soo Yeol; Hasan, Kamrul

2011-06-01

High resolution tomographic images acquired with a digital X-ray detector are often degraded by the so called ring artifacts. In this paper, a detail analysis including the classification, detection and correction of these ring artifacts is presented. At first, a novel idea for classifying rings into two categories, namely type I and type II rings, is proposed based on their statistical characteristics. The defective detector elements and the dusty scintillator screens result in type I ring and the mis-calibrated detector elements lead to type II ring. Unlike conventional approaches, we emphasize here on the separate detection and correction schemes for each type of rings for their effective removal. For the detection of type I ring, the histogram of the responses of the detector elements is used and a modified fast image inpainting algorithm is adopted to correct the responses of the defective pixels. On the other hand, to detect the type II ring, first a simple filtering scheme is presented based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to smooth the sum curve derived form the type I ring corrected projection data. The difference between the sum curve and its smoothed version is then used to detect their positions. Then, to remove the constant bias suffered by the responses of the mis-calibrated detector elements with view angle, an estimated dc shift is subtracted from them. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using real micro-CT images and is compared with three recently reported algorithms. Simulation results demonstrate superior performance of the proposed technique as compared to the techniques reported in the literature. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advanced Multilayer Composite Heavy-Oxide Scintillator Detectors for High Efficiency Fast Neutron Detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryzhikov, Vladimir D.; Naydenov, Sergei V.; Pochet, Thierry; Onyshchenko, Gennadiy M.; Piven, Leonid A.; Smith, Craig F.

2018-01-01

We have developed and evaluated a new approach to fast neutron and neutron-gamma detection based on large-area multilayer composite heterogeneous detection media consisting of dispersed granules of small-crystalline scintillators contained in a transparent organic (plastic) matrix. Layers of the composite material are alternated with layers of transparent plastic scintillator material serving as light guides. The resulting detection medium - designated as ZEBRA - serves as both an active neutron converter and a detection scintillator which is designed to detect both neutrons and gamma-quanta. The composite layers of the ZEBRA detector consist of small heavy-oxide scintillators in the form of granules of crystalline BGO, GSO, ZWO, PWO and other materials. We have produced and tested the ZEBRA detector of sizes 100x100x41 mm and greater, and determined that they have very high efficiency of fast neutron detection (up to 49% or greater), comparable to that which can be achieved by large sized heavy-oxide single crystals of about Ø40x80 cm3 volume. We have also studied the sensitivity variation to fast neutron detection by using different types of multilayer ZEBRA detectors of 100 cm2 surface area and 41 mm thickness (with a detector weight of about 1 kg) and found it to be comparable to the sensitivity of a 3He-detector representing a total cross-section of about 2000 cm2 (with a weight of detector, including its plastic moderator, of about 120 kg). The measured count rate in response to a fast neutron source of 252Cf at 2 m for the ZEBRA-GSO detector of size 100x100x41 mm3 was 2.84 cps/ng, and this count rate can be doubled by increasing the detector height (and area) up to 200x100 mm2. In summary, the ZEBRA detectors represent a new type of high efficiency and low cost solid-state neutron detector that can be used for stationary neutron/gamma portals. They may represent an interesting alternative to expensive, bulky gas counters based on 3He or 10B neutron detection technologies.

High speed photodiodes in standard nanometer scale CMOS technology: a comparative study.

PubMed

Nakhkoob, Behrooz; Ray, Sagar; Hella, Mona M

2012-05-07

This paper compares various techniques for improving the frequency response of silicon photodiodes fabricated in mainstream CMOS technology for fully integrated optical receivers. The three presented photodiodes, Spatially Modulated Light detectors, Double, and Interrupted P-Finger photodiodes, aim at reducing the low speed diffusive component of the photo generated current. For the first photodiode, Spatially Modulated Light (SML) detectors, the low speed current component is canceled out by converting it to a common mode current driving a differential transimpedance amplifier. The Double Photodiode (DP) uses two depletion regions to increase the fast drift component, while the Interrupted-P Finger Photodiode (IPFPD) redirects the low speed component towards a different contact from the main fast terminal of the photodiode. Extensive device simulations using 130 nm CMOS technology-parameters are presented to compare their performance using the same technological platform. Finally a new type of photodiode that uses triple well CMOS technology is introduced that can achieve a bandwidth of roughly 10 GHz without any process modification or high reverse bias voltages that would jeopardize the photodetector and subsequent transimpedance amplifier reliability.

Integral-equation based methods for parameter estimation in output pulses of radiation detectors: Application in nuclear medicine and spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammadian-Behbahani, Mohammad-Reza; Saramad, Shahyar

2018-04-01

Model based analysis methods are relatively new approaches for processing the output data of radiation detectors in nuclear medicine imaging and spectroscopy. A class of such methods requires fast algorithms for fitting pulse models to experimental data. In order to apply integral-equation based methods for processing the preamplifier output pulses, this article proposes a fast and simple method for estimating the parameters of the well-known bi-exponential pulse model by solving an integral equation. The proposed method needs samples from only three points of the recorded pulse as well as its first and second order integrals. After optimizing the sampling points, the estimation results were calculated and compared with two traditional integration-based methods. Different noise levels (signal-to-noise ratios from 10 to 3000) were simulated for testing the functionality of the proposed method, then it was applied to a set of experimental pulses. Finally, the effect of quantization noise was assessed by studying different sampling rates. Promising results by the proposed method endorse it for future real-time applications.

A phoswich detector for simultaneous alpha-gamma spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moghadam, S. Rajabi; Feghhi, S. A. H.; Safari, M. J.

2015-11-01

Phoswich detectors are of value for radiation spectroscopy, especially in cases where a low-cost solution for a mixed radiation field is desired. Meanwhile, simultaneous spectroscopy of alpha particles and gamma-rays has many applications in quantification and distinguishing the alpha-emitting radionuclides which usually occur in the analysis of environmental solid samples. Here, we have developed a system for detection of radioactive actinides (e.g., 241Am) based on the alpha-gamma coincidence technique. The underlying concept, is to assemble two appropriately selected scintillators (i.e., a fast and a slow one) together with a discriminating unit for analysis of their data. Detailed Monte Carlo simulation procedure has been developed using the GEANT4 toolkit to design and find enough knowledge about the response of the system in the studied radiation field. Various comparisons were made between experimental and simulation data which showed appropriate agreement between them. The calibration was performed and the MDA was estimated as 60 mBq for the phoswich system.

Experimental Measurements of Concentration Fluctuations and Scales in a Dispersing Plume in the Atmospheric Surface Layer Obtained Using a Very Fast Response Concentration Detector

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-14

Very Fast Response Concentration Detector EUGENE YEE Defence Research Establishment Suffield, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada R. CHAN AND P. R...hazards posed by the release of highly toxic or flammable gases to an un- derstanding of fast nonlinear physicochemical pro- cesses required for the...e.g., Gifford 1959; Csanady 1967; Chatwin 1982), fast -response concentration sensors required for the measurement and characterization of the

Fast scattering simulation tool for multi-energy x-ray imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sossin, A.; Tabary, J.; Rebuffel, V.; Létang, J. M.; Freud, N.; Verger, L.

2015-12-01

A combination of Monte Carlo (MC) and deterministic approaches was employed as a means of creating a simulation tool capable of providing energy resolved x-ray primary and scatter images within a reasonable time interval. Libraries of Sindbad, a previously developed x-ray simulation software, were used in the development. The scatter simulation capabilities of the tool were validated through simulation with the aid of GATE and through experimentation by using a spectrometric CdTe detector. A simple cylindrical phantom with cavities and an aluminum insert was used. Cross-validation with GATE showed good agreement with a global spatial error of 1.5% and a maximum scatter spectrum error of around 6%. Experimental validation also supported the accuracy of the simulations obtained from the developed software with a global spatial error of 1.8% and a maximum error of around 8.5% in the scatter spectra.

Monte Carlo simulations in Nuclear Medicine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loudos, George K.

2007-11-01

Molecular imaging technologies provide unique abilities to localise signs of disease before symptoms appear, assist in drug testing, optimize and personalize therapy, and assess the efficacy of treatment regimes for different types of cancer. Monte Carlo simulation packages are used as an important tool for the optimal design of detector systems. In addition they have demonstrated potential to improve image quality and acquisition protocols. Many general purpose (MCNP, Geant4, etc) or dedicated codes (SimSET etc) have been developed aiming to provide accurate and fast results. Special emphasis will be given to GATE toolkit. The GATE code currently under development by the OpenGATE collaboration is the most accurate and promising code for performing realistic simulations. The purpose of this article is to introduce the non expert reader to the current status of MC simulations in nuclear medicine and briefly provide examples of current simulated systems, and present future challenges that include simulation of clinical studies and dosimetry applications.

Active-Interrogation Measurements of Induced-Fission Neutrons from Low-Enriched Uranium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

J. L. Dolan; M. J. Marcath; M. Flaska

2012-07-01

Protection and control of nuclear fuels is paramount for nuclear security and safeguards; therefore, it is important to develop fast and robust controlling mechanisms to ensure the safety of nuclear fuels. Through both passive- and active-interrogation methods we can use fast-neutron detection to perform real-time measurements of fission neutrons for process monitoring. Active interrogation allows us to use different ranges of incident neutron energy to probe for different isotopes of uranium. With fast-neutron detectors, such as organic liquid scintillation detectors, we can detect the induced-fission neutrons and photons and work towards quantifying a sample’s mass and enrichment. Using MCNPX-PoliMi, amore » system was designed to measure induced-fission neutrons from U-235 and U-238. Measurements were then performed in the summer of 2010 at the Joint Research Centre in Ispra, Italy. Fissions were induced with an associated particle D-T generator and an isotopic Am-Li source. The fission neutrons, as well as neutrons from (n, 2n) and (n, 3n) reactions, were measured with five 5” by 5” EJ-309 organic liquid scintillators. The D-T neutron generator was available as part of a measurement campaign in place by Padova University. The measurement and data-acquisition systems were developed at the University of Michigan utilizing a CAEN V1720 digitizer and pulse-shape discrimination algorithms to differentiate neutron and photon detections. Low-enriched uranium samples of varying mass and enrichment were interrogated. Acquired time-of-flight curves and cross-correlation curves are currently analyzed to draw relationships between detected neutrons and sample mass and enrichment. In the full paper, the promise of active-interrogation measurements and fast-neutron detection will be assessed through the example of this proof-of-concept measurement campaign. Additionally, MCNPX-PoliMi simulation results will be compared to the measured data to validate the MCNPX-PoliMi code when used for active-interrogation simulations.« less

Measurement of the fast neutron background at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Q.; Lin, S. T.; Liu, S. K.; Tang, C. J.; Wang, L.; Wei, W. W.; Wong, H. T.; Xing, H. Y.; Yue, Q.; Zhu, J. J.

2018-05-01

We report on the measurements of the fluxes and spectra of the environmental fast neutron background at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory (CJPL) with a rock overburden of about 6700 meters water equivalent, using a liquid scintillator detector doped with 0.5% gadolinium. The signature of a prompt nuclear recoil followed by a delayed high energy γ-ray cascade is used to identify neutron events. The large energy deposition of the delayed γ-rays from the (n , γ) reaction on gadolinium, together with the excellent n- γ discrimination capability provides a powerful background suppression which allows the measurement of a low intensity neutron flux. The neutron flux of (1 . 51 ± 0 . 03(stat .) ± 0 . 10(syst .)) × 10-7cm-2s-1 in the energy range of 1-10 MeV in the Hall A of CJPL was measured based on 356 days of data. In the same energy region, measurement with the same detector placed in a room surrounding with one meter thick polyethylene shielding gives a significantly lower flux of (4 . 9 ± 0 . 9(stat .) ± 0 . 5(syst .)) × 10-9cm-2s-1 with 174 days of data. This represents a measurement of the lowest environmental fast neutron background among the underground laboratories in the world, prior to additional experiment-specific attenuation. Additionally, the fast neutron spectra both in the Hall A and the polyethylene room were reconstructed with the help of GEANT4 simulations.

The solid state detector technology for picosecond laser ranging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prochazka, Ivan

1993-01-01

We developed an all solid state laser ranging detector technology, which makes the goal of millimeter accuracy achievable. Our design and construction philosophy is to combine the techniques of single photon ranging, ultrashort laser pulses, and fast fixed threshold discrimination while avoiding any analog signal processing within the laser ranging chain. The all solid state laser ranging detector package consists of the START detector and the STOP solid state photon counting module. Both the detectors are working in an optically triggered avalanche switching regime. The optical signal is triggering an avalanche current buildup which results in the generation of a uniform, fast risetime output pulse.

Simulation and Spectrum Extraction in the Spectroscopic Channel of the SNAP Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tilquin, Andre; Bonissent, A.; Gerdes, D.; Ealet, A.; Prieto, E.; Macaire, C.; Aumenier, M. H.

2007-05-01

A pixel-level simulation software is described. It is composed of two modules. The first module applies Fourier optics at each active element of the system to construct the PSF at a large variety of wavelengths and spatial locations of the point source. The input is provided by the engineer's design program (Zemax). It describes the optical path and the distortions. The PSF properties are compressed and interpolated using shapelets decomposition and neural network techniques. A second module is used for production jobs. It uses the output of the first module to reconstruct the relevant PSF and integrate it on the detector pixels. Extended and polychromatic sources are approximated by a combination of monochromatic point sources. For the spectrum extraction, we use a fast simulator based on a multidimensional linear interpolation of the pixel response tabulated on a grid of values of wavelength, position on sky and slice number. The prediction of the fast simulator is compared to the observed pixel content, and a chi-square minimization where the parameters are the bin contents is used to build the extracted spectrum. The visible and infrared arms are combined in the same chi-square, providing a single spectrum.

Silicon pixel R&D for CLIC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munker, M.

2017-01-01

Challenging detector requirements are imposed by the physics goals at the future multi-TeV e+ e- Compact Linear Collider (CLIC). A single point resolution of 3 μm for the vertex detector and 7 μm for the tracker is required. Moreover, the CLIC vertex detector and tracker need to be extremely light weighted with a material budget of 0.2% X0 per layer in the vertex detector and 1-2% X0 in the tracker. A fast time slicing of 10 ns is further required to suppress background from beam-beam interactions. A wide range of sensor and readout ASIC technologies are investigated within the CLIC silicon pixel R&D effort. Various hybrid planar sensor assemblies with a pixel size of 25×25 μm2 and 55×55 μm2 have been produced and characterised by laboratory measurements and during test-beam campaigns. Experimental and simulation results for thin (50 μm-500 μm) slim edge and active-edge planar, and High-Voltage CMOS sensors hybridised to various readout ASICs (Timepix, Timepix3, CLICpix) are presented.

Next Generation Fast Neutron Detector for Space Exploration (Mini-FND)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassler, D. M.; Ehresmann, B.

2018-02-01

SwRI has developed a miniature Fast Neutron Detector (mini-FND), for use in the Deep Space Gateway, to characterize the neutron albedo radiation. Mini-FND will provide coverage of the biologically relevant neutrons at energies of 500 keV and greater.

Note: A timing micro-channel plate detector with backside fast preamplifier

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Wei; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000

2014-03-15

A timing micro-channel plate detector with a backside double-channel fast preamplifier was developed to avoid distortion during signal propagation from the anode to the preamplifier. The mechanical and electronic structure is described. The detector including its backside preamplifier is tested by a {sup 241}Am α-source and a rise time of ∼2 ns with an output background noise of 4 mV{sub rms} was achieved.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy at small source-detector distance by means of high dynamic-range fast-gated SPAD acquisitions: first in-vivo measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Sieno, L.; Contini, D.; Dalla Mora, A.; Torricelli, A.; Spinelli, L.; Cubeddu, R.; Tosi, A.; Boso, G.; Pifferi, A.

2013-06-01

In this article, we show experimental results of time-resolved optical spectroscopy performed with small distance between launching and detecting fibers. It was already demonstrated that depth discrimination is independent of source-detector separation and that measurements at small source detector distance provide better contrast and spatial resolution. The main disadvantage is represent by the huge increase in early photons (scarcely diffused by tissue) peak that can saturate the dynamic range of most detectors, hiding information carried by late photons. Thanks to a fast-gated Single- Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) module, we are able to reject the peak of early photons and to obtain high-dynamic range acquisitions. We exploit fast-gated SPAD module to perform for the first time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) at small source-detector distance for in vivo measurements and we demonstrate the possibility to detect non-invasively the dynamics of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin occurring in the motor cortex during a motor task. We also show the improvement in terms of signal amplitude and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) obtained exploiting fast-gated SPAD performances with respect to "non-gated" measurements.

A high time resolution x-ray diagnostic on the Madison Symmetric Torus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DuBois, Ami M.; Lee, John David; Almagri, Abdulgadar F.

2015-07-01

A new high time resolution x-ray detector has been installed on the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST) to make measurements around sawtooth events. The detector system is comprised of a silicon avalanche photodiode, a 20 ns Gaussian shaping amplifier, and a 500 MHz digitizer with 14-bit sampling resolution. The fast shaping time diminishes the need to restrict the amount of x-ray flux reaching the detector, limiting the system dead-time. With a much higher time resolution than systems currently in use in high temperature plasma physics experiments, this new detector has the versatility to be used in a variety of discharges with varying flux and the ability to study dynamics on both slow and fast time scales. This paper discusses the new fast x-ray detector recently installed on MST and the improved time resolution capabilities compared to the existing soft and hard x-ray diagnostics. In addition to the detector hardware, improvements to the detector calibration and x-ray pulse identification software, such as additional fitting parameters and a more sophisticated fitting routine are discussed. Finally, initial data taken in both high confinement and standard reversed-field pinch plasma discharges are compared.

Fast high-energy X-ray imaging for Severe Accidents experiments on the future PLINIUS-2 platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berge, L.; Estre, N.; Tisseur, D.; Payan, E.; Eck, D.; Bouyer, V.; Cassiaut-Louis, N.; Journeau, C.; Tellier, R. Le; Pluyette, E.

2018-01-01

The future PLINIUS-2 platform of CEA Cadarache will be dedicated to the study of corium interactions in severe nuclear accidents, and will host innovative large-scale experiments. The Nuclear Measurement Laboratory of CEA Cadarache is in charge of real-time high-energy X-ray imaging set-ups, for the study of the corium-water and corium-sodium interaction, and of the corium stratification process. Imaging such large and high-density objects requires a 15 MeV linear electron accelerator coupled to a tungsten target creating a high-energy Bremsstrahlung X-ray flux, with corresponding dose rate about 100 Gy/min at 1 m. The signal is detected by phosphor screens coupled to high-framerate scientific CMOS cameras. The imaging set-up is established using an experimentally-validated home-made simulation software (MODHERATO). The code computes quantitative radiographic signals from the description of the source, object geometry and composition, detector, and geometrical configuration (magnification factor, etc.). It accounts for several noise sources (photonic and electronic noises, swank and readout noise), and for image blur due to the source spot-size and to the detector unsharpness. In a view to PLINIUS-2, the simulation has been improved to account for the scattered flux, which is expected to be significant. The paper presents the scattered flux calculation using the MCNP transport code, and its integration into the MODHERATO simulation. Then the validation of the improved simulation is presented, through confrontation to real measurement images taken on a small-scale equivalent set-up on the PLINIUS platform. Excellent agreement is achieved. This improved simulation is therefore being used to design the PLINIUS-2 imaging set-ups (source, detectors, cameras, etc.).

Design of fast signal processing readout front-end electronics implemented in CMOS 40 nm technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kleczek, Rafal

2016-12-01

The author presents considerations on the design of fast readout front-end electronics implemented in a CMOS 40 nm technology with an emphasis on the system dead time, noise performance and power dissipation. The designed processing channel consists of a charge sensitive amplifier with different feedback types (Krummenacher, resistive and constant current blocks), a threshold setting block, a discriminator and a counter with logic circuitry. The results of schematic and post-layout simulations with randomly generated input pulses in a time domain according to the Poisson distribution are presented and analyzed. Dead time below 20 ns is possible while keeping noise ENC ≈ 90 e- for a detector capacitance CDET = 160 fF.

Optimal and adaptive methods of processing hydroacoustic signals (review)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malyshkin, G. S.; Sidel'nikov, G. B.

2014-09-01

Different methods of optimal and adaptive processing of hydroacoustic signals for multipath propagation and scattering are considered. Advantages and drawbacks of the classical adaptive (Capon, MUSIC, and Johnson) algorithms and "fast" projection algorithms are analyzed for the case of multipath propagation and scattering of strong signals. The classical optimal approaches to detecting multipath signals are presented. A mechanism of controlled normalization of strong signals is proposed to automatically detect weak signals. The results of simulating the operation of different detection algorithms for a linear equidistant array under multipath propagation and scattering are presented. An automatic detector is analyzed, which is based on classical or fast projection algorithms, which estimates the background proceeding from median filtering or the method of bilateral spatial contrast.

The perturbation of backscattered fast neutrons spectrum caused by the resonances of C, N and O for possible use in pyromaterial detection

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abedin, Ahmad Firdaus Zainal, E-mail: firdaus087@gmail.com; Ibrahim, Noorddin; Zabidi, Noriza Ahmad

2015-04-29

Neutron radiation is able to determine the signature of land mine detection based on backscattering energy spectrum of landmine. In this study, the Monte Carlo simulation of backscattered fast neutrons was performed on four basic elements of land mine; hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon. The moderation of fast neutrons to thermal neutrons and their resonances cross-section between 0.01 eV until 14 MeV were analysed. The neutrons energies were divided into 29 groups and ten million neutrons particles histories were used. The geometries consist of four main components: neutrons source, detectors, landmine and soil. The neutrons source was placed at the originmore » coordinate and shielded with carbon and polyethylene. Americium/Beryllium neutron source was placed inside lead casing of 1 cm thick and 2.5 cm height. Polyethylene was used to absorb and disperse radiation and was placed outside the lead shield of width 10 cm and height 7 cm. Two detectors were placed between source with distance of 8 cm and radius of 1.9 cm. Detectors of Helium-3 was used for neutron detection as it has high absorption cross section for thermal neutrons. For the anomaly, the physical is in cylinder form with radius of 10 cm and 8.9 cm height. The anomaly is buried 5 cm deep in the bed soil measured 80 cm radius and 53.5 cm height. The results show that the energy spectrum for the four basic elements of landmine with specific pattern which can be used as indication for the presence of landmines.« less

Simulation of optical interstellar scintillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Habibi, F.; Moniez, M.; Ansari, R.; Rahvar, S.

2013-04-01

Aims: Stars twinkle because their light propagates through the atmosphere. The same phenomenon is expected on a longer time scale when the light of remote stars crosses an interstellar turbulent molecular cloud, but it has never been observed at optical wavelengths. The aim of the study described in this paper is to fully simulate the scintillation process, starting from the molecular cloud description as a fractal object, ending with the simulations of fluctuating stellar light curves. Methods: Fast Fourier transforms are first used to simulate fractal clouds. Then, the illumination pattern resulting from the crossing of background star light through these refractive clouds is calculated from a Fresnel integral that also uses fast Fourier transform techniques. Regularisation procedure and computing limitations are discussed, along with the effect of spatial and temporal coherency (source size and wavelength passband). Results: We quantify the expected modulation index of stellar light curves as a function of the turbulence strength - characterised by the diffraction radius Rdiff - and the projected source size, introduce the timing aspects, and establish connections between the light curve observables and the refractive cloud. We extend our discussion to clouds with different structure functions from Kolmogorov-type turbulence. Conclusions: Our study confirms that current telescopes of ~4 m with fast-readout, wide-field detectors have the capability of discovering the first interstellar optical scintillation effects. We also show that this effect should be unambiguously distinguished from any other type of variability through the observation of desynchronised light curves, simultaneously measured by two distant telescopes.

3D Compton scattering imaging and contour reconstruction for a class of Radon transforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rigaud, Gaël; Hahn, Bernadette N.

2018-07-01

Compton scattering imaging is a nascent concept arising from the current development of high-sensitive energy detectors and is devoted to exploit the scattering radiation to image the electron density of the studied medium. Such detectors are able to collect incoming photons in terms of energy. This paper introduces potential 3D modalities in Compton scattering imaging (CSI). The associated measured data are modeled using a class of generalized Radon transforms. The study of this class of operators leads to build a filtered back-projection kind algorithm preserving the contours of the sought-for function and offering a fast approach to partially solve the associated inverse problems. Simulation results including Poisson noise demonstrate the potential of this new imaging concept as well as the proposed image reconstruction approach.

Multi-Grid detector for neutron spectroscopy: results obtained on time-of-flight spectrometer CNCS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anastasopoulos, M.; Bebb, R.; Berry, K.; Birch, J.; Bryś, T.; Buffet, J.-C.; Clergeau, J.-F.; Deen, P. P.; Ehlers, G.; van Esch, P.; Everett, S. M.; Guerard, B.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Herwig, K.; Hultman, L.; Höglund, C.; Iruretagoiena, I.; Issa, F.; Jensen, J.; Khaplanov, A.; Kirstein, O.; Lopez Higuera, I.; Piscitelli, F.; Robinson, L.; Schmidt, S.; Stefanescu, I.

2017-04-01

The Multi-Grid detector technology has evolved from the proof-of-principle and characterisation stages. Here we report on the performance of the Multi-Grid detector, the MG.CNCS prototype, which has been installed and tested at the Cold Neutron Chopper Spectrometer, CNCS at SNS. This has allowed a side-by-side comparison to the performance of 3He detectors on an operational instrument. The demonstrator has an active area of 0.2 m2. It is specifically tailored to the specifications of CNCS. The detector was installed in June 2016 and has operated since then, collecting neutron scattering data in parallel to the He-3 detectors of CNCS. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of this data, in particular on instrument energy resolution, rate capability, background and relative efficiency. Stability, gamma-ray and fast neutron sensitivity have also been investigated. The effect of scattering in the detector components has been measured and provides input to comparison for Monte Carlo simulations. All data is presented in comparison to that measured by the 3He detectors simultaneously, showing that all features recorded by one detector are also recorded by the other. The energy resolution matches closely. We find that the Multi-Grid is able to match the data collected by 3He, and see an indication of a considerable advantage in the count rate capability. Based on these results, we are confident that the Multi-Grid detector will be capable of producing high quality scientific data on chopper spectrometers utilising the unprecedented neutron flux of the ESS.

The LHCb software and computing upgrade for Run 3: opportunities and challenges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bozzi, C.; Roiser, S.; LHCb Collaboration

2017-10-01

The LHCb detector will be upgraded for the LHC Run 3 and will be readout at 30 MHz, corresponding to the full inelastic collision rate, with major implications on the full software trigger and offline computing. If the current computing model and software framework are kept, the data storage capacity and computing power required to process data at this rate, and to generate and reconstruct equivalent samples of simulated events, will exceed the current capacity by at least one order of magnitude. A redesign of the software framework, including scheduling, the event model, the detector description and the conditions database, is needed to fully exploit the computing power of multi-, many-core architectures, and coprocessors. Data processing and the analysis model will also change towards an early streaming of different data types, in order to limit storage resources, with further implications for the data analysis workflows. Fast simulation options will allow to obtain a reasonable parameterization of the detector response in considerably less computing time. Finally, the upgrade of LHCb will be a good opportunity to review and implement changes in the domains of software design, test and review, and analysis workflow and preservation. In this contribution, activities and recent results in all the above areas are presented.

Detection efficiency calculation for photons, electrons and positrons in a well detector. Part I: Analytical model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pommé, S.

2009-06-01

An analytical model is presented to calculate the total detection efficiency of a well-type radiation detector for photons, electrons and positrons emitted from a radioactive source at an arbitrary position inside the well. The model is well suited to treat a typical set-up with a point source or cylindrical source and vial inside a NaI well detector, with or without lead shield surrounding it. It allows for fast absolute or relative total efficiency calibrations for a wide variety of geometrical configurations and also provides accurate input for the calculation of coincidence summing effects. Depending on its accuracy, it may even be applied in 4π-γ counting, a primary standardisation method for activity. Besides an accurate account of photon interactions, precautions are taken to simulate the special case of 511 keV annihilation quanta and to include realistic approximations for the range of (conversion) electrons and β -- and β +-particles.

a Performance Comparison of Feature Detectors for Planetary Rover Mapping and Localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, W.; Peng, M.; Xing, Y.; Wang, Y.; Liu, Z.; Di, K.; Teng, B.; Mao, X.; Zhao, Q.; Xin, X.; Jia, M.

2017-07-01

Feature detection and matching are key techniques in computer vision and robotics, and have been successfully implemented in many fields. So far there is no performance comparison of feature detectors and matching methods for planetary mapping and rover localization using rover stereo images. In this research, we present a comprehensive evaluation and comparison of six feature detectors, including Moravec, Förstner, Harris, FAST, SIFT and SURF, aiming for optimal implementation of feature-based matching in planetary surface environment. To facilitate quantitative analysis, a series of evaluation criteria, including distribution evenness of matched points, coverage of detected points, and feature matching accuracy, are developed in the research. In order to perform exhaustive evaluation, stereo images, simulated under different baseline, pitch angle, and interval of adjacent rover locations, are taken as experimental data source. The comparison results show that SIFT offers the best overall performance, especially it is less sensitive to changes of image taken at adjacent locations.

Ab initio simulation of diffractometer instrumental function for high-resolution X-ray diffraction1

PubMed Central

Mikhalychev, Alexander; Benediktovitch, Andrei; Ulyanenkova, Tatjana; Ulyanenkov, Alex

2015-01-01

Modeling of the X-ray diffractometer instrumental function for a given optics configuration is important both for planning experiments and for the analysis of measured data. A fast and universal method for instrumental function simulation, suitable for fully automated computer realization and describing both coplanar and noncoplanar measurement geometries for any combination of X-ray optical elements, is proposed. The method can be identified as semi-analytical backward ray tracing and is based on the calculation of a detected signal as an integral of X-ray intensities for all the rays reaching the detector. The high speed of calculation is provided by the expressions for analytical integration over the spatial coordinates that describe the detection point. Consideration of the three-dimensional propagation of rays without restriction to the diffraction plane provides the applicability of the method for noncoplanar geometry and the accuracy for characterization of the signal from a two-dimensional detector. The correctness of the simulation algorithm is checked in the following two ways: by verifying the consistency of the calculated data with the patterns expected for certain simple limiting cases and by comparing measured reciprocal-space maps with the corresponding maps simulated by the proposed method for the same diffractometer configurations. Both kinds of tests demonstrate the agreement of the simulated instrumental function shape with the measured data. PMID:26089760

Performance Study of an aSi Flat Panel Detector for Fast Neutron Imaging of Nuclear Waste

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schumann, M.; Mauerhofer, E.; Engels, R.

Radioactive waste must be characterized to check its conformance for intermediate storage and final disposal according to national regulations. For the determination of radio-toxic and chemo-toxic contents of radioactive waste packages non-destructive analytical techniques are preferentially used. Fast neutron imaging is a promising technique to assay large and dense items providing, in complementarity to photon imaging, additional information on the presence of structures in radioactive waste packages. Therefore the feasibility of a compact Neutron Imaging System for Radioactive waste Analysis (NISRA) using 14 MeV neutrons is studied in a cooperation framework of Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, RWTH Aachen University and Siemensmore » AG. However due to the low neutron emission of neutron generators in comparison to research reactors the challenging task resides in the development of an imaging detector with a high efficiency, a low sensitivity to gamma radiation and a resolution sufficient for the purpose. The setup is composed of a commercial D-T neutron generator (Genie16GT, Sodern) with a surrounding shielding made of polyethylene, which acts as a collimator and an amorphous silicon flat panel detector (aSi, 40 x 40 cm{sup 2}, XRD-1642, Perkin Elmer). Neutron detection is achieved using a general propose plastic scintillator (EJ-260, Eljen Technology) linked to the detector. The thermal noise of the photodiodes is reduced by employing an entrance window made of aluminium. Optimal gain and integration time for data acquisition are set by measuring the response of the detector to the radiation of a 500 MBq {sup 241}Am-source. Detector performance was studied by recording neutron radiography images of materials with various, but well known, chemical compositions, densities and dimensions (Al, C, Fe, Pb, W, concrete, polyethylene, 5 x 8 x 10 cm{sup 3}). To simulate gamma-ray emitting waste radiographs in presence of a gamma-ray sources ({sup 60}Co, {sup 137}Cs, {sup 241}Am) were performed. A homemade algorithm was developed to determine a value which is related to the neutron absorption of the sample with the analysis of the raw detector data. The detector was placed 42 cm away from the neutron source. Distance between detector and the samples was 0.5 cm. At the sample position the fast neutron flux was estimated to 9x10{sup 3} n cm{sup -2} s{sup -1} for a neutron emission of 10{sup 8} n s{sup -1}. The acquisition time was 15 minutes. First neutron radiographs were successfully recorded despite the low detector efficiency and low neutron emission. Analysis of the data shows a correlation between the measured signal and determined neutron absorption. Thus discrimination between different materials of same thicknesses may be achieved. The measurements and results will be presented and discussed in details.« less

Positron autoradiography for intravascular imaging: feasibility evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shikhaliev, Polad M.; Xu, Tong; Ducote, Justin L.; Easwaramoorthy, Balasubramaniam; Mukherjee, Jogeshwar; Molloi, Sabee

2006-02-01

Approximately 70% of acute coronary artery disease is caused by unstable (vulnerable) plaques with an inflammation of the overlying cap and high lipid content. A rupturing of the inflamed cap of the plaque results in propagation of the thrombus into the lumen, blockage of the artery and acute ischaemic syndrome or sudden death. Morphological imaging such as angiography or intravascular ultrasound cannot determine inflammation status of the plaque. A radiotracer such as 18F-FDG is accumulated in vulnerable plaques due to higher metabolic activity of the inflamed cap and could be used to detect a vulnerable plaque. However, positron emission tomography (PET) cannot detect the FDG-labelled plaques because of respiratory and heart motions, small size and low activity of the plaques. Plaques can be detected using a miniature particle (positron) detector inserted into the artery. In this work, a new detector concept is investigated for intravascular imaging of the plaques. The detector consists of a storage phosphor tip bound to the end of an intravascular catheter. It can be inserted into an artery, absorb the 18F-FDG positrons from the plaques, withdrawn from the artery and read out. Length and diameter of the storage phosphor tip can be matched to the length and the diameter of the artery. Monte Carlo simulations and experimental evaluations of coronary plaque imaging with the proposed detector were performed. It was shown that the sensitivity of the storage phosphor detector to the positrons of 18F-FDG is sufficient to detect coronary plaques with 1 mm and 2 mm sizes and 590 Bq and 1180 Bq activities in the arteries with 2 mm and 3 mm diameters, respectively. An experimental study was performed using plastic tubes with 2 mm diameter filled with an FDG solution, which simulates blood. FDG spots simulating plaques were placed over the surface of the tube. A phosphor tip was inserted into the tube and imaged the plaques. Exposure time was 1 min in all simulations and experiments. Experiments showed that detecting the coronary plaques using the proposed technique is possible. The proposed technique has the potential for fast and accurate detection of vulnerable coronary and other intravascular plaques.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

St James, S; Argento, D; DeWitt, D

Purpose: Fast neutron therapy is offered at the University of Washington Medical Center for treatment of selected cancers. The hardware and control systems of the UW Clinical Neutron Therapy System are undergoing upgrades to enable delivery of IMNT. To clinically implement IMNT, dose verification tools need to be developed. We propose a portal imaging system that relies on the creation of positron emitting isotopes ({sup 11}C and {sup 15}O) through (n, 2n) reactions with a PMMA plate placed below the patient. After field delivery, the plate is retrieved from the vault and imaged using a reader that detects the annihilationmore » photons. The pattern of activity produced in the plate provides information to reconstruct the neutron fluence map that can be compared to fluence maps from Monte Carlo (MCNP) simulations to verify treatment delivery. We have previously performed Monte Carlo simulations of the portal imaging system (GATE simulations) and the beam line (MCNP simulations). In this work, initial measurements using a prototype system are presented. Methods: Custom electronics were developed for BGO detectors read out with photomultiplier tubes (previous generation PET detectors from a CTI ECAT 953 scanner). Two detectors were placed in coincidence, with a detector separation of 2 cm. Custom software was developed to create the crystal look up tables and perform a limited angle planar reconstruction with a stochastic normalization. To test the initial capabilities of the system, PMMA squares were irradiated with neutrons at a depth of 1.5 cm and read out using the prototype system. Doses ranging from 10–200 cGy were delivered. Results: Using the prototype system, dose differences in the therapeutic range could be determined. Conclusion: The prototype portal imaging system is capable of detecting neutron doses as low as 10–50 cGy and shows great promise as a patient QA tool for IMNT.« less

ACE: AMY CDC (central drift chamber) fast track finder

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mori, T.

1988-01-01

The central drift chamber (CDC) of the AMY detector at the TRISTAN e/sup /+//e/sup /-// collider features its fine granularity and multi-band structure. The tracking software named ACE which makes the most of these features shows an excellent performance for reconstruction of high multiplicity events with highly collimated jets. The obtained reconstruction efficiency is 97% for the particles coming from within 5 cm of the primary vertex with p/sub t/ /approx gt/ 500 MeVc in the simulated hadronic events. The processing time is on average less than 300 ms per hadronic event (simulated or real) on a FACOM M-382 computer.more » 3 refs., 5 figs.« less

Integration of SimSET photon history generator in GATE for efficient Monte Carlo simulations of pinhole SPECT.

PubMed

Chen, Chia-Lin; Wang, Yuchuan; Lee, Jason J S; Tsui, Benjamin M W

2008-07-01

The authors developed and validated an efficient Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) workflow to facilitate small animal pinhole SPECT imaging research. This workflow seamlessly integrates two existing MCS tools: simulation system for emission tomography (SimSET) and GEANT4 application for emission tomography (GATE). Specifically, we retained the strength of GATE in describing complex collimator/detector configurations to meet the anticipated needs for studying advanced pinhole collimation (e.g., multipinhole) geometry, while inserting the fast SimSET photon history generator (PHG) to circumvent the relatively slow GEANT4 MCS code used by GATE in simulating photon interactions inside voxelized phantoms. For validation, data generated from this new SimSET-GATE workflow were compared with those from GATE-only simulations as well as experimental measurements obtained using a commercial small animal pinhole SPECT system. Our results showed excellent agreement (e.g., in system point response functions and energy spectra) between SimSET-GATE and GATE-only simulations, and, more importantly, a significant computational speedup (up to approximately 10-fold) provided by the new workflow. Satisfactory agreement between MCS results and experimental data were also observed. In conclusion, the authors have successfully integrated SimSET photon history generator in GATE for fast and realistic pinhole SPECT simulations, which can facilitate research in, for example, the development and application of quantitative pinhole and multipinhole SPECT for small animal imaging. This integrated simulation tool can also be adapted for studying other preclinical and clinical SPECT techniques.

Optimization of a Fast Neutron Scintillator for Real-Time Pulse Shape Discrimination in the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) Hodoscope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, James T.; Thompson, Scott J.; Watson, Scott M.

We present a multi-channel, fast neutron/gamma ray detector array system that utilizes ZnS(Ag) scintillator detectors. The system employs field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to do real-time all digital neutron/gamma ray discrimination with pulse height and time histograms to allow count rates in excess of 1,000,000 pulses per second per channel. The system detector number is scalable in blocks of 16 channels.

FPGA based charge fast histogramming for GEM detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poźniak, Krzysztof T.; Byszuk, A.; Chernyshova, M.; Cieszewski, R.; Czarski, T.; Dominik, W.; Jakubowska, K.; Kasprowicz, G.; Rzadkiewicz, J.; Scholz, M.; Zabolotny, W.

2013-10-01

This article presents a fast charge histogramming method for the position sensitive X-ray GEM detector. The energy resolved measurements are carried out simultaneously for 256 channels of the GEM detector. The whole process of histogramming is performed in 21 FPGA chips (Spartan-6 series from Xilinx) . The results of the histogramming process are stored in an external DDR3 memory. The structure of an electronic measuring equipment and a firmware functionality implemented in the FPGAs is described. Examples of test measurements are presented.

Electrical and Optical Characterization System for IR Photodetectors

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-12

is marked using the red circles. The newly purchased equipment includes a fast HgCdTe ( MCT ) detector and a 1064 nm pulse laser. The new fast MCT ...signal-to- noise ratio. Figure 1. The block diagram of the upgraded TRPL system. The detector and laser are newly purchased. The chopper and lock...type-II superlattices (T2SL) based infrared photodetectors. Ga-free InAs/InAsSb T2SLs offer great advantages for MWIR and LWIR laser and detector

A Fast Event Preprocessor and Sequencer for the Simbol-X Low Energy Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schanz, T.; Tenzer, C.; Maier, D.; Kendziorra, E.; Santangelo, A.

2009-05-01

The Simbol-X Low Energy Detector (LED), a 128×128 pixel DEPFET (Depleted Field Effect Transistor) array, will be read out at a very high rate (8000 frames/second) and, therefore, requires a very fast on board electronics. We present an FPGA-based LED camera electronics consisting of an Event Preprocessor (EPP) for on board data preprocessing and filtering of the Simbol-X low-energy detector and a related Sequencer (SEQ) to generate the necessary signals to control the readout.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Furuta, H.; Imura, A.; Furuta, Y.

Recently, technique of Gadolinium loaded liquid scintillator (Gd-LS) for reactor neutrino oscillation experiments has attracted attention as a monitor of reactor operation and 'nuclear Gain (GA)' for IAEA safeguards. For the practical use, R and D of the 1 ton class compact detector, which is measurable above ground, is necessary. Especially, it is important to reduce much amount of fast neutron background induced by cosmic muons with data analysis for the measurement above ground. We developed a prototype of the Gd-LS detector with 200 L of the target volume, which has Pulse Shape Discrimination (PSD) ability for the fast neutronmore » reduction with data analysis. Usually, it is well known that it is difficult to keep high fast neutron reduction power of PSD with the large volume size such as the neutrino reactor monitor. We evaluated the PSD ability of our prototype with real fast neutrons induced by the muons in our laboratory above ground, and we could confirm to keep the high fast neutron reduction power with even our large detector size. (authors)« less

Fast and broadband detector for laser radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scorticati, Davide; Crapella, Giacomo; Pellegrino, Sergio

2018-02-01

We developed a fast detector (patent pending) based on the Laser Induced Transverse Voltage (LITV) effect. The advantage of detectors using the LITV effect over pyroelectric sensors and photodiodes for laser radiation measurements is the combination of an overall fast response time, broadband spectral acceptance, high saturation threshold to direct laser irradiation and the possibility to measure pulsed as well as cw-laser sources. The detector is capable of measuring the energy of single laser pulses with repetition frequencies up to the MHz range, adding the possibility to also measure the output power of cw-lasers. Moreover, the thermal nature of the sensor enables the capability to work in a broadband spectrum, from UV to THz as well as the possibility of operating in a broad-range (10-3-102 W/cm2 ) of incident average optical power densities of the laser radiation, without the need of adopting optical filters nor other precautions.

Response measurement of single-crystal chemical vapor deposition diamond radiation detector for intense X-rays aiming at neutron bang-time and neutron burn-history measurement on an inertial confinement fusion with fast ignition.

PubMed

Shimaoka, T; Kaneko, J H; Arikawa, Y; Isobe, M; Sato, Y; Tsubota, M; Nagai, T; Kojima, S; Abe, Y; Sakata, S; Fujioka, S; Nakai, M; Shiraga, H; Azechi, H; Chayahara, A; Umezawa, H; Shikata, S

2015-05-01

A neutron bang time and burn history monitor in inertial confinement fusion with fast ignition are necessary for plasma diagnostics. In the FIREX project, however, no detector attained those capabilities because high-intensity X-rays accompanied fast electrons used for plasma heating. To solve this problem, single-crystal CVD diamond was grown and fabricated into a radiation detector. The detector, which had excellent charge transportation property, was tested to obtain a response function for intense X-rays. The applicability for neutron bang time and burn history monitor was verified experimentally. Charge collection efficiency of 99.5% ± 0.8% and 97.1% ± 1.4% for holes and electrons were obtained using 5.486 MeV alpha particles. The drift velocity at electric field which saturates charge collection efficiency was 1.1 ± 0.4 × 10(7) cm/s and 1.0 ± 0.3 × 10(7) cm/s for holes and electrons. Fast response of several ns pulse width for intense X-ray was obtained at the GEKKO XII experiment, which is sufficiently fast for ToF measurements to obtain a neutron signal separately from X-rays. Based on these results, we confirmed that the single-crystal CVD diamond detector obtained neutron signal with good S/N under ion temperature 0.5-1 keV and neutron yield of more than 10(9) neutrons/shot.

Simulation of a fast diffuse optical tomography system based on radiative transfer equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Motevalli, S. M.; Payani, A.

2016-12-01

Studies show that near-infrared (NIR) light (light with wavelength between 700nm and 1300nm) undergoes two interactions, absorption and scattering, when it penetrates a tissue. Since scattering is the predominant interaction, the calculation of light distribution in the tissue and the image reconstruction of absorption and scattering coefficients are very complicated. Some analytical and numerical methods, such as radiative transport equation and Monte Carlo method, have been used for the simulation of light penetration in tissue. Recently, some investigators in the world have tried to develop a diffuse optical tomography system. In these systems, NIR light penetrates the tissue and passes through the tissue. Then, light exiting the tissue is measured by NIR detectors placed around the tissue. These data are collected from all the detectors and transferred to the computational parts (including hardware and software), which make a cross-sectional image of the tissue after performing some computational processes. In this paper, the results of the simulation of an optical diffuse tomography system are presented. This simulation involves two stages: a) Simulation of the forward problem (or light penetration in the tissue), which is performed by solving the diffusion approximation equation in the stationary state using FEM. b) Simulation of the inverse problem (or image reconstruction), which is performed by the optimization algorithm called Broyden quasi-Newton. This method of image reconstruction is faster compared to the other Newton-based optimization algorithms, such as the Levenberg-Marquardt one.

Trends and new developments in gaseous detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoch, M.

Almost one century ago the method of particle detection with gaseous detectors was invented. Since then they have been exploited successfully in many experiments using a wide variety of different applications. The development is still going on today. The underlying working principles are today well understood and with the help of modern simulation techniques, new configurations can be easily examined and optimized before a first experimental test. Traditional wire chamber ensembles demonstrate that they are still up to date and are well prepared to meet also the challenges of LHC. Applications will be discussed using TPCs in high multiplicity environments with standard Multi-Wire Proportional Chamber (MWPC) as readout as well as drift tubes in a muon spectrometer for a Large Hardron Collider (LHC) experiment. Triggered by the evolving printed circuit technology, a new generation of gaseous detectors with very high position resolution and rate capability has emerged. Two representatives (MICROMEGAS, GEM) have proved their reliability in various experiments and are promising candidates for future projects. Performance and results will be discussed for these detectors. Furthermore, achievements in RPC-based detectors will be discussed. The standard Trigger RPC is a reliable low-cost semi-industrial manufactured device with good time resolution. Thin gap RPCs (Multigap-, and High Rate Timing RPC) show very fast signal response at high efficiency and significantly increased rate capability and will be applied in TOF detectors.

XIMPOL: a new x-ray polarimetry observation-simulation and analysis framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Omodei, Nicola; Baldini, Luca; Pesce-Rollins, Melissa; di Lalla, Niccolò

2017-08-01

We present a new simulation framework, XIMPOL, based on the python programming language and the Scipy stack, specifically developed for X-ray polarimetric applications. XIMPOL is not tied to any specific mission or instrument design and is meant to produce fast and yet realistic observation-simulations, given as basic inputs: (i) an arbitrary source model including morphological, temporal, spectral and polarimetric information, and (ii) the response functions of the detector under study, i.e., the effective area, the energy dispersion, the point-spread function and the modulation factor. The format of the response files is OGIP compliant, and the framework has the capability of producing output files that can be directly fed into the standard visualization and analysis tools used by the X-ray community, including XSPEC which make it a useful tool not only for simulating physical systems, but also to develop and test end-to-end analysis chains.

High-Dose Neutron Detector Development Using 10B Coated Cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Menlove, Howard Olsen; Henzlova, Daniela

2016-11-08

During FY16 the boron-lined parallel-plate technology was optimized to fully benefit from its fast timing characteristics in order to enhance its high count rate capability. To facilitate high count rate capability, a novel fast amplifier with timing and operating properties matched to the detector characteristics was developed and implemented in the 8” boron plate detector that was purchased from PDT. Each of the 6 sealed-cells was connected to a fast amplifier with corresponding List mode readout from each amplifier. The FY16 work focused on improvements in the boron-10 coating materials and procedures at PDT to significantly improve the neutron detectionmore » efficiency. An improvement in the efficiency of a factor of 1.5 was achieved without increasing the metal backing area for the boron coating. This improvement has allowed us to operate the detector in gamma-ray backgrounds that are four orders of magnitude higher than was previously possible while maintaining a relatively high counting efficiency for neutrons. This improvement in the gamma-ray rejection is a key factor in the development of the high dose neutron detector.« less

The generalized centroid difference method for picosecond sensitive determination of lifetimes of nuclear excited states using large fast-timing arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Régis, J.-M.; Mach, H.; Simpson, G. S.; Jolie, J.; Pascovici, G.; Saed-Samii, N.; Warr, N.; Bruce, A.; Degenkolb, J.; Fraile, L. M.; Fransen, C.; Ghita, D. G.; Kisyov, S.; Koester, U.; Korgul, A.; Lalkovski, S.; Mărginean, N.; Mutti, P.; Olaizola, B.; Podolyak, Z.; Regan, P. H.; Roberts, O. J.; Rudigier, M.; Stroe, L.; Urban, W.; Wilmsen, D.

2013-10-01

A novel method for direct electronic “fast-timing” lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states via γ-γ coincidences using an array equipped with N∈N equally shaped very fast high-resolution LaBr3(Ce) scintillator detectors is presented. Analogous to the mirror symmetric centroid difference method, the generalized centroid difference method provides two independent “start” and “stop” time spectra obtained by a superposition of the N(N-1)γ-γ time difference spectra of the N detector fast-timing system. The two fast-timing array time spectra correspond to a forward and reverse gating of a specific γ-γ cascade. Provided that the energy response and the electronic time pick-off of the detectors are almost equal, a mean prompt response difference between start and stop events is calibrated and used as a single correction for lifetime determination. These combined fast-timing arrays mean γ-γ time-walk characteristics can be determined for 40 keV

Characteristics and performance of thin LaBr3(Ce) crystal for X-ray astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manchanda, R. K.

Lanthanum Bromide crystal is the latest among the family of the scintillation counters and has an advantage over conventional room temperature detectors. It has a high atomic number, high light yield, and fast decay time compared to NaI(Tl) crystal and therefore, the energy resolution, of LaBr3 detector is superior and it has higher detection efficiency. In recent past, laboratory studies have been generally made using thick crystal geometry (1.5×1.5-inch and 2×2-inch). Similarly, simulation studies are also in progress for the use of LaBr3 detectors in the ground based high energy physics experiments. The detector background counting rate of LaBr3 crystal is affected by the internal radioactivity and is due to naturally occurring radioisotopes 138La and 227Ac, similar to the sodium Iodide detector which is affected by the iodine isotopes. We have developed a new detector using thin lanthanum bromide crystal (3×30-mm) for use in X-ray astronomy. The instrument was launched in high altitude balloon flight on Dec. 21, 2007, which reached a ceiling altitude of 4.3 mbs. A background counting rate of 1.6 ×10-2 ct cm-2 s-1 keV-1 sr-1 was observed at the ceiling altitude. This paper describes the details of the electronics hardware, energy resolution and the background characteristics of the detector at ceiling altitude

Numerical simulations of merging black holes for gravitational-wave astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lovelace, Geoffrey

2014-03-01

Gravitational waves from merging binary black holes (BBHs) are among the most promising sources for current and future gravitational-wave detectors. Accurate models of these waves are necessary to maximize the number of detections and our knowledge of the waves' sources; near the time of merger, the waves can only be computed using numerical-relativity simulations. For optimal application to gravitational-wave astronomy, BBH simulations must achieve sufficient accuracy and length, and all relevant regions of the BBH parameter space must be covered. While great progress toward these goals has been made in the almost nine years since BBH simulations became possible, considerable challenges remain. In this talk, I will discuss current efforts to meet these challenges, and I will present recent BBH simulations produced using the Spectral Einstein Code, including a catalog of publicly available gravitational waveforms [black-holes.org/waveforms]. I will also discuss simulations of merging black holes with high mass ratios and with spins nearly as fast as possible, the most challenging regions of the BBH parameter space.

Pulse height tests of a large diameter fast LaBr₃:Ce scintillation detector.

PubMed

Naqvi, A A; Khiari, F Z; Maslehuddin, M; Gondal, M A; Al-Amoudi, O S B; Ukashat, M S; Ilyas, A M; Liadi, F A; Isab, A A; Khateeb-ur Rehman; Raashid, M; Dastageer, M A

2015-10-01

The pulse height response of a large diameter fast 100 mm × 100 mm LaBr3:Ce detector was measured for 0.1-10 MeV gamma-rays. The detector has a claimed time resolution of 608 ps for 511 keV gamma rays, but has relatively poor energy resolution due to the characteristics of its fast photomultiplier. The detector pulse height response was measured for gamma rays from cobalt, cesium, and bismuth radioisotope sources as well as prompt gamma rays from thermal neutron capture in water samples contaminated with mercury (3.1 wt%), boron (2.5 wt%), cadmium (0.25 wt%), chromium (52 wt%), and nickel (22 wt%) compounds. The energy resolution of the detector was determined from full width at half maximum (FWHM) of element-characteristic gamma ray peaks in the pulse height spectrum associated with the element present in the contaminated water sample. The measured energy resolution of the 100 mm × 100 mm detector varies from 12.7±0.2% to 1.9±0.1% for 0.1 to 10 MeV gamma rays, respectively. The graph showing the energy resolution ΔE/E(%) versus 1/√Eγ was fitted with a linear function to study the detector light collection from the slope of the curve. The slope of the present 100 mm × 100 mm detector is almost twice as large as the slope of a similar curve of previously published data for a 89 mm × 203 mm LaBr3:Ce detector. This indicates almost two times poorer light collection in the 100 mm × 100 mm detector as compared to the other detector. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Speedster-EXD- A New Event-Driven Hybrid CMOS X-ray Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, Christopher V.; Falcone, Abraham D.; Prieskorn, Zachary R.; Burrows, David N.

2016-01-01

The Speedster-EXD is a new 64×64 pixel, 40-μm pixel pitch, 100-μm depletion depth hybrid CMOS x-ray detector with the capability of reading out only those pixels containing event charge, thus enabling fast effective frame rates. A global charge threshold can be specified, and pixels containing charge above this threshold are flagged and read out. The Speedster detector has also been designed with other advanced in-pixel features to improve performance, including a low-noise, high-gain capacitive transimpedance amplifier that eliminates interpixel capacitance crosstalk (IPC), and in-pixel correlated double sampling subtraction to reduce reset noise. We measure the best energy resolution on the Speedster-EXD detector to be 206 eV (3.5%) at 5.89 keV and 172 eV (10.0%) at 1.49 keV. The average IPC to the four adjacent pixels is measured to be 0.25%±0.2% (i.e., consistent with zero). The pixel-to-pixel gain variation is measured to be 0.80%±0.03%, and a Monte Carlo simulation is applied to better characterize the contributions to the energy resolution.

Simulation and Digitization of a Gas Electron Multiplier Detector Using Geant4 and an Object-Oriented Digitization Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McMullen, Timothy; Liyanage, Nilanga; Xiong, Weizhi; Zhao, Zhiwen

2017-01-01

Our research has focused on simulating the response of a Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector using computational methods. GEM detectors provide a cost effective solution for radiation detection in high rate environments. A detailed simulation of GEM detector response to radiation is essential for the successful adaption of these detectors to different applications. Using Geant4 Monte Carlo (GEMC), a wrapper around Geant4 which has been successfully used to simulate the Solenoidal Large Intensity Device (SoLID) at Jefferson Lab, we are developing a simulation of a GEM chamber similar to the detectors currently used in our lab. We are also refining an object-oriented digitization program, which translates energy deposition information from GEMC into electronic readout which resembles the readout from our physical detectors. We have run the simulation with beta particles produced by the simulated decay of a 90Sr source, as well as with a simulated bremsstrahlung spectrum. Comparing the simulation data with real GEM data taken under similar conditions is used to refine the simulation parameters. Comparisons between results from the simulations and results from detector tests will be presented.

Test beam measurement of the first prototype of the fast silicon pixel monolithic detector for the TT-PET project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paolozzi, L.; Bandi, Y.; Benoit, M.; Cardarelli, R.; Débieux, S.; Forshaw, D.; Hayakawa, D.; Iacobucci, G.; Kaynak, M.; Miucci, A.; Nessi, M.; Ratib, O.; Ripiccini, E.; Rücker, H.; Valerio, P.; Weber, M.

2018-04-01

The TT-PET collaboration is developing a PET scanner for small animals with 30 ps time-of-flight resolution and sub-millimetre 3D detection granularity. The sensitive element of the scanner is a monolithic silicon pixel detector based on state-of-the-art SiGe BiCMOS technology. The first ASIC prototype for the TT-PET was produced and tested in the laboratory and with minimum ionizing particles. The electronics exhibit an equivalent noise charge below 600 e‑ RMS and a pulse rise time of less than 2 ns , in accordance with the simulations. The pixels with a capacitance of 0.8 pF were measured to have a detection efficiency greater than 99% and, although in the absence of the post-processing, a time resolution of approximately 200 ps .

Best-Practice Criteria for Practical Security of Self-Differencing Avalanche Photodiode Detectors in Quantum Key Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koehler-Sidki, A.; Dynes, J. F.; Lucamarini, M.; Roberts, G. L.; Sharpe, A. W.; Yuan, Z. L.; Shields, A. J.

2018-04-01

Fast-gated avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are the most commonly used single photon detectors for high-bit-rate quantum key distribution (QKD). Their robustness against external attacks is crucial to the overall security of a QKD system, or even an entire QKD network. We investigate the behavior of a gigahertz-gated, self-differencing (In,Ga)As APD under strong illumination, a tactic Eve often uses to bring detectors under her control. Our experiment and modeling reveal that the negative feedback by the photocurrent safeguards the detector from being blinded through reducing its avalanche probability and/or strengthening the capacitive response. Based on this finding, we propose a set of best-practice criteria for designing and operating fast-gated APD detectors to ensure their practical security in QKD.

A new detector for sub-millisecond EXAFS spectroscopy at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.

PubMed

Kantor, Innokenty; Labiche, Jean-Claude; Collet, Emmanuel; Siron, Laurent; Thevenin, Jean-Jacques; Ponchut, Cyril; Borrel, Jacques; Mairs, Trevor; Marini, Carlo; Strohm, Cornelius; Mathon, Olivier; Pascarelli, Sakura

2014-11-01

A new FReLoN (Fast-Readout Low-Noise) high-frame-rate detector adopted for the fast continuous collection of X-ray absorption spectra is presented. The detector is installed on the energy-dispersive X-ray absorption beamline ID24 at the ESRF and is capable of full time-resolved EXAFS spectra collection with over 4 kHz repetition rate and 0.2 ms exposure time. An example of the in situ kinetic study of the high-temperature oxidation of metallic iron is presented.

Earth radiation budget measurement from a spinning satellite: Conceptual design of detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sromovsky, L. A.; Revercomb, H. E.; Suomi, V. E.

1975-01-01

The conceptual design, sensor characteristics, sensor performance and accuracy, and spacecraft and orbital requirements for a spinning wide-field-of-view earth energy budget detector were investigated. The scientific requirements for measurement of the earth's radiative energy budget are presented. Other topics discussed include the observing system concept, solar constant radiometer design, plane flux wide FOV sensor design, fast active cavity theory, fast active cavity design and error analysis, thermopile detectors as an alternative, pre-flight and in-flight calibration plane, system error summary, and interface requirements.

MO-F-CAMPUS-T-05: Design of An Innovative Beam Monitor for Particle Therapy for the Simultaneous Measurement of Beam Fluence and Energy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sacchi, R; Guarachi, L Fanola; Monaco, V

2015-06-15

Purpose: Monitoring the prescribed dose in particle therapy is typically carried out by using parallel plate ionization chambers working in transmission mode. The use of gas detectors has several drawbacks: they need to be calibrated daily against standard dosimeters and their dependence on beam quality factors need to be fully characterized and controlled with high accuracy. A detector capable of single particle counting is proposed which would overcome all these limitations. Combined with a gas ionization chamber, it will allow determining the average particle stopping power, thus providing an effective method for the online verification of the selected particle energymore » and range. Methods: Low-Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGADs) are innovative n-in-p silicon sensors with moderate internal charge multiplication occurring in the strong field generated by an additional p+ doping layer implanted at a depth of a few µm in the bulk of the sensor. The increased signal-to-noise ratio allows designing very thin, few tens of microns, segmented LGADs, called Ultra Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD), optimized for very fast signal, which would be suitable for charged particle counting at high rates. A prototype UFSD is being designed for this purpose. Results: Different LGAD diodes have been characterized both in laboratory and beam tests, and the results compared both with those obtained with similar diodes without the gain layer and with a program simulating the signal in the sensors. The signal is found to be enhanced in LGADs, while the leakage current and the noise is not affected by the gain. Possible alternative designs and implementations are also presented and discussed. Conclusion: Thanks to their excellent counting capabilities, UFSD detectors are a promising technology for future beam monitor devices in hadron-therapy applications. Studies are ongoing to better understand their properties and optimize the design in view of this application.« less

Response measurement of single-crystal chemical vapor deposition diamond radiation detector for intense X-rays aiming at neutron bang-time and neutron burn-history measurement on an inertial confinement fusion with fast ignition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shimaoka, T., E-mail: t.shimaoka@eng.hokudai.ac.jp; Kaneko, J. H.; Tsubota, M.

A neutron bang time and burn history monitor in inertial confinement fusion with fast ignition are necessary for plasma diagnostics. In the FIREX project, however, no detector attained those capabilities because high-intensity X-rays accompanied fast electrons used for plasma heating. To solve this problem, single-crystal CVD diamond was grown and fabricated into a radiation detector. The detector, which had excellent charge transportation property, was tested to obtain a response function for intense X-rays. The applicability for neutron bang time and burn history monitor was verified experimentally. Charge collection efficiency of 99.5% ± 0.8% and 97.1% ± 1.4% for holes andmore » electrons were obtained using 5.486 MeV alpha particles. The drift velocity at electric field which saturates charge collection efficiency was 1.1 ± 0.4 × 10{sup 7} cm/s and 1.0 ± 0.3 × 10{sup 7} cm/s for holes and electrons. Fast response of several ns pulse width for intense X-ray was obtained at the GEKKO XII experiment, which is sufficiently fast for ToF measurements to obtain a neutron signal separately from X-rays. Based on these results, we confirmed that the single-crystal CVD diamond detector obtained neutron signal with good S/N under ion temperature 0.5–1 keV and neutron yield of more than 10{sup 9} neutrons/shot.« less

The MCNP Simulation of a PGNAA System at TRR-1/M1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangaroon, S.; Ratanatongchai, W.; Picha, R.; Khaweerat, S.; Channuie, J.

2017-06-01

The prompt-gamma neutron activation analysis system (PGNAA) has been installed at Thai Research Reactor-1/Modified 1 (TRR-1/M1) since 1999. The purpose of the system is for elemental and isotopic analyses. The system mainly consists of a series of the moderator and collimator, neutron and gamma-ray shielding and the HPGe detector. In this work, the condition of the system is carried out based on the Monte Carlo method using Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code and the experiment. The flux ratios (Φthermal/Φepithermal and Φthermal/Φfast) and thermal neutron flux have been obtained. The simulated prompt gamma rays of the Portland cement sample have been carried out. The simulation provides significant contribution in upgrading the PGNAA station to be available in various applications.

Scintillator based detector for fast-ion losses induced by magnetohydrodynamic instabilities in the ASDEX upgrade tokamak.

PubMed

García-Muñoz, M; Fahrbach, H-U; Zohm, H

2009-05-01

A scintillator based detector for fast-ion losses has been designed and installed on the ASDEX upgrade (AUG) tokamak [A. Herrmann and O. Gruber, Fusion Sci. Technol. 44, 569 (2003)]. The detector resolves in time the energy and pitch angle of fast-ion losses induced by magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) fluctuations. The use of a novel scintillator material with a very short decay time and high quantum efficiency allows to identify the MHD fluctuations responsible for the ion losses through Fourier analysis. A Faraday cup (secondary scintillator plate) has been embedded behind the scintillator plate for an absolute calibration of the detector. The detector is mounted on a manipulator to vary its radial position with respect to the plasma. A thermocouple on the inner side of the graphite protection enables the safety search for the most adequate radial position. To align the scintillator light pattern with the light detectors a system composed by a lens and a vacuum-compatible halogen lamp has been allocated within the detector head. In this paper, the design of the scintillator probe, as well as the new technique used to analyze the data through spectrograms will be described. A last section is devoted to discuss the diagnosis prospects of this method for ITER [M. Shimada et al., Nucl. Fusion 47, S1 (2007)].

FAST CHOPPER DETECTOR HOUSE, TRA665. SECOND FLOOR ADDITION: PLAN, SECTIONS ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

FAST CHOPPER DETECTOR HOUSE, TRA-665. SECOND FLOOR ADDITION: PLAN, SECTIONS AND DETAILS AS ADDED TO THE EXISTING CHOPPER HOUSE IN 1962. F.C. TORKELSON 842-MTR-665-S-3, 4/1962. INL INDEX NO. 531-0665-60-851-150997, REV. 3. - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Reactor Area, Materials & Engineering Test Reactors, Scoville, Butte County, ID

New measurement system for on line in core high-energy neutron flux monitoring in materials testing reactor conditions.

PubMed

Geslot, B; Vermeeren, L; Filliatre, P; Lopez, A Legrand; Barbot, L; Jammes, C; Bréaud, S; Oriol, L; Villard, J-F

2011-03-01

Flux monitoring is of great interest for experimental studies in material testing reactors. Nowadays, only the thermal neutron flux can be monitored on line, e.g., using fission chambers or self-powered neutron detectors. In the framework of the Joint Instrumentation Laboratory between SCK-CEN and CEA, we have developed a fast neutron detector system (FNDS) capable of measuring on line the local high-energy neutron flux in fission reactor core and reflector locations. FNDS is based on fission chambers measurements in Campbelling mode. The system consists of two detectors, one detector being mainly sensitive to fast neutrons and the other one to thermal neutrons. On line data processing uses the CEA depletion code DARWIN in order to disentangle fast and thermal neutrons components, taking into account the isotopic evolution of the fissile deposit. The first results of FNDS experimental test in the BR2 reactor are presented in this paper. Several fission chambers have been irradiated up to a fluence of about 7 × 10(20) n∕cm(2). A good agreement (less than 10% discrepancy) was observed between FNDS fast flux estimation and reference flux measurement.

New measurement system for on line in core high-energy neutron flux monitoring in materials testing reactor conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geslot, B.; Vermeeren, L.; Filliatre, P.; Lopez, A. Legrand; Barbot, L.; Jammes, C.; Bréaud, S.; Oriol, L.; Villard, J.-F.

2011-03-01

Flux monitoring is of great interest for experimental studies in material testing reactors. Nowadays, only the thermal neutron flux can be monitored on line, e.g., using fission chambers or self-powered neutron detectors. In the framework of the Joint Instrumentation Laboratory between SCK-CEN and CEA, we have developed a fast neutron detector system (FNDS) capable of measuring on line the local high-energy neutron flux in fission reactor core and reflector locations. FNDS is based on fission chambers measurements in Campbelling mode. The system consists of two detectors, one detector being mainly sensitive to fast neutrons and the other one to thermal neutrons. On line data processing uses the CEA depletion code DARWIN in order to disentangle fast and thermal neutrons components, taking into account the isotopic evolution of the fissile deposit. The first results of FNDS experimental test in the BR2 reactor are presented in this paper. Several fission chambers have been irradiated up to a fluence of about 7 × 1020 n/cm2. A good agreement (less than 10% discrepancy) was observed between FNDS fast flux estimation and reference flux measurement.

Mesure des champs de radiation dans le detecteur ATLAS et sa caverne avec les detecteurs au silicium a pixels ATLAS-MPX

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchami, Jihene

The LHC proton-proton collisions create a hard radiation environment in the ATLAS detector. In order to quantify the effects of this environment on the detector performance and human safety, several Monte Carlo simulations have been performed. However, direct measurement is indispensable to monitor radiation levels in ATLAS and also to verify the simulation predictions. For this purpose, sixteen ATLAS-MPX devices have been installed at various positions in the ATLAS experimental and technical areas. They are composed of a pixelated silicon detector called MPX whose active surface is partially covered with converter layers for the detection of thermal, slow and fast neutrons. The ATLAS-MPX devices perform real-time measurement of radiation fields by recording the detected particle tracks as raster images. The analysis of the acquired images allows the identification of the detected particle types by the shapes of their tracks. For this aim, a pattern recognition software called MAFalda has been conceived. Since the tracks of strongly ionizing particles are influenced by charge sharing between adjacent pixels, a semi-empirical model describing this effect has been developed. Using this model, the energy of strongly ionizing particles can be estimated from the size of their tracks. The converter layers covering each ATLAS-MPX device form six different regions. The efficiency of each region to detect thermal, slow and fast neutrons has been determined by calibration measurements with known sources. The study of the ATLAS-MPX devices response to the radiation produced by proton-proton collisions at a center of mass energy of 7 TeV has demonstrated that the number of recorded tracks is proportional to the LHC luminosity. This result allows the ATLAS-MPX devices to be employed as luminosity monitors. To perform an absolute luminosity measurement and calibration with these devices, the van der Meer method based on the LHC beam parameters has been proposed. Since the ATLAS-MPX devices response and the luminosity are correlated, the results of measuring radiation levels are expressed in terms of particle fluences per unit integrated luminosity. A significant deviation has been obtained when comparing these fluences with those predicted by GCALOR, which is one of the ATLAS detector simulations. In addition, radiation measurements performed at the end of proton-proton collisions have demonstrated that the decay of radionuclides produced during collisions can be observed with the ATLAS-MPX devices. The residual activation of ATLAS components can be measured with these devices by means of ambient dose equivalent calibration. Keywords: pattern recognition, charge sharing effect, neutron detection efficiency, luminosity, van der Meer method, particle fluences, GCALOR simulation, residual activation, ambient dose equivalent.

Photo-detectors for time of flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET).

PubMed

Spanoudaki, Virginia Ch; Levin, Craig S

2010-01-01

We present the most recent advances in photo-detector design employed in time of flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET). PET is a molecular imaging modality that collects pairs of coincident (temporally correlated) annihilation photons emitted from the patient body. The annihilation photon detector typically comprises a scintillation crystal coupled to a fast photo-detector. ToF information provides better localization of the annihilation event along the line formed by each detector pair, resulting in an overall improvement in signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the reconstructed image. Apart from the demand for high luminosity and fast decay time of the scintillation crystal, proper design and selection of the photo-detector and methods for arrival time pick-off are a prerequisite for achieving excellent time resolution required for ToF-PET. We review the two types of photo-detectors used in ToF-PET: photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) with a special focus on SiPMs.

Photo-Detectors for Time of Flight Positron Emission Tomography (ToF-PET)

PubMed Central

Spanoudaki, Virginia Ch.; Levin⋆, Craig S.

2010-01-01

We present the most recent advances in photo-detector design employed in time of flight positron emission tomography (ToF-PET). PET is a molecular imaging modality that collects pairs of coincident (temporally correlated) annihilation photons emitted from the patient body. The annihilation photon detector typically comprises a scintillation crystal coupled to a fast photo-detector. ToF information provides better localization of the annihilation event along the line formed by each detector pair, resulting in an overall improvement in signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the reconstructed image. Apart from the demand for high luminosity and fast decay time of the scintillation crystal, proper design and selection of the photo-detector and methods for arrival time pick-off are a prerequisite for achieving excellent time resolution required for ToF-PET. We review the two types of photo-detectors used in ToF-PET: photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) with a special focus on SiPMs. PMID:22163482

Alternative techniques for high-resolution spectral estimation of spectrally encoded endoscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mousavi, Mahta; Duan, Lian; Javidi, Tara; Ellerbee, Audrey K.

2015-09-01

Spectrally encoded endoscopy (SEE) is a minimally invasive optical imaging modality capable of fast confocal imaging of internal tissue structures. Modern SEE systems use coherent sources to image deep within the tissue and data are processed similar to optical coherence tomography (OCT); however, standard processing of SEE data via the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) leads to degradation of the axial resolution as the bandwidth of the source shrinks, resulting in a well-known trade-off between speed and axial resolution. Recognizing the limitation of FFT as a general spectral estimation algorithm to only take into account samples collected by the detector, in this work we investigate alternative high-resolution spectral estimation algorithms that exploit information such as sparsity and the general region position of the bulk sample to improve the axial resolution of processed SEE data. We validate the performance of these algorithms using bothMATLAB simulations and analysis of experimental results generated from a home-built OCT system to simulate an SEE system with variable scan rates. Our results open a new door towards using non-FFT algorithms to generate higher quality (i.e., higher resolution) SEE images at correspondingly fast scan rates, resulting in systems that are more accurate and more comfortable for patients due to the reduced image time.

Pulsed neutron detector

DOEpatents

Robertson, deceased, J. Craig; Rowland, Mark S.

1989-03-21

A pulsed neutron detector and system for detecting low intensity fast neutron pulses has a body of beryllium adjacent a body of hydrogenous material the latter of which acts as a beta particle detector, scintillator, and moderator. The fast neutrons (defined as having En>1.5 MeV) react in the beryllium and the hydrogenous material to produce larger numbers of slow neutrons than would be generated in the beryllium itself and which in the beryllium generate hellium-6 which decays and yields beta particles. The beta particles reach the hydrogenous material which scintillates to yield light of intensity related to the number of fast neutrons. A photomultiplier adjacent the hydrogenous material (scintillator) senses the light emission from the scintillator. Utilization means, such as a summing device, sums the pulses from the photo-multiplier for monitoring or other purposes.

Simulation studies of muon-produced background events deep underground and consequences for double beta decay experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Massarczyk, Ralph; Majorana Collaboration

2015-10-01

Cosmic radiation creates a significant background for low count rate experiments. The Majorana demonstrator experiment is located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility at a depth of 4850ft below the surface but it can still be penetrated by cosmic muons with initial energies above the TeV range. The interaction of muons with the rock, the shielding material in the lab and the detector itself can produce showers of secondary particles, like fast neutrons, which are able to travel through shielding material and can produce high-energy γ-rays via capture or inelastic scattering. The energy deposition of these γ rays in the detector can overlap with energy region of interest for the neutrino-less double beta decay. Recent studies for cosmic muons penetrating the Majorana demonstrator are made with the Geant4 code. The results of these simulations will be presented in this talk and an overview of the interaction of the shower particles with the detector, shielding and veto system will be given. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics, the Particle Astrophysics Program of the National Science Foundation, and the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Supported by U.S. Department of Energy through the LANL/LDRD Program.

A high-throughput, multi-channel photon-counting detector with picosecond timing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapington, J. S.; Fraser, G. W.; Miller, G. M.; Ashton, T. J. R.; Jarron, P.; Despeisse, M.; Powolny, F.; Howorth, J.; Milnes, J.

2009-06-01

High-throughput photon counting with high time resolution is a niche application area where vacuum tubes can still outperform solid-state devices. Applications in the life sciences utilizing time-resolved spectroscopies, particularly in the growing field of proteomics, will benefit greatly from performance enhancements in event timing and detector throughput. The HiContent project is a collaboration between the University of Leicester Space Research Centre, the Microelectronics Group at CERN, Photek Ltd., and end-users at the Gray Cancer Institute and the University of Manchester. The goal is to develop a detector system specifically designed for optical proteomics, capable of high content (multi-parametric) analysis at high throughput. The HiContent detector system is being developed to exploit this niche market. It combines multi-channel, high time resolution photon counting in a single miniaturized detector system with integrated electronics. The combination of enabling technologies; small pore microchannel plate devices with very high time resolution, and high-speed multi-channel ASIC electronics developed for the LHC at CERN, provides the necessary building blocks for a high-throughput detector system with up to 1024 parallel counting channels and 20 ps time resolution. We describe the detector and electronic design, discuss the current status of the HiContent project and present the results from a 64-channel prototype system. In the absence of an operational detector, we present measurements of the electronics performance using a pulse generator to simulate detector events. Event timing results from the NINO high-speed front-end ASIC captured using a fast digital oscilloscope are compared with data taken with the proposed electronic configuration which uses the multi-channel HPTDC timing ASIC.

High performance infrared fast cooled detectors for missile applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reibel, Yann; Espuno, Laurent; Taalat, Rachid; Sultan, Ahmad; Cassaigne, Pierre; Matallah, Noura

2016-05-01

SOFRADIR was selected in the late 90's for the production of 320×256 MW detectors for major European missile programs. This experience has established our company as a key player in the field of missile programs. SOFRADIR has since developed a vast portfolio of lightweight, compact and high performance JT-based solutions for missiles. ALTAN is a 384x288 Mid Wave infrared detector with 15μm pixel pitch, and is offered in a miniature ultra-fast Joule- Thomson cooled Dewar. Since Sofradir offers both Indium Antimonide (InSb) and Mercury Cadmium Telluride technologies (MCT), we are able to deliver the detectors best suited to customers' needs. In this paper we are discussing different figures of merit for very compact and innovative JT-cooled detectors and are highlighting the challenges for infrared detection technologies.

CCD detector development projects by the Beamline Technical Support Group at the Advanced Photon Source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, John H.; Fernandez, Patricia; Madden, Tim; Molitsky, Michael; Weizeorick, John

2007-11-01

This paper will describe two ongoing detector projects being developed by the Beamline Technical Support Group at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The first project is the design and construction of two detectors: a single-CCD system and a two-by-two Mosaic CCD camera for Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). Both of these systems utilize the Kodak KAF-4320E CCD coupled to fiber optic tapers, custom mechanical hardware, electronics, and software developed at ANL. The second project is a Fast-CCD (FCCD) detector being developed in a collaboration between ANL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). This detector will use ANL-designed readout electronics and a custom LBNL-designed CCD, with 480×480 pixels and 96 outputs, giving very fast readout.

A search for fast moving magnetic monopoles with the MACRO detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Rongzhi

From Dirac monopole theory to modern GUT's (Grand Unified Theories), magnetic monopoles have attracted much attention from physicists. While Dirac had demonstrated the consistency of magnetic monopoles with quantum eletrodynamics, 't Hooft and Polyakov demonstrated the necessity of monopoles in GUT's. Furthermore, the GUT's supply more clues about magnetic monopoles, including their exceptionally heavy masses ~10[superscript 16] GeV. Both current theories and previous monopole experiments have suggested that the flux of magnetic monopoles is likely to be very small, so it is necessary to have a large area detector to search for them. This thesis presents a search for fast moving magnetic monopoles with the MACRO detector.The MACRO detector is a large underground detector located at Gran Sasso, Italy. Its primary goal is to search for magnetic monopoles at a flux level beyond the Parker bound. It is underground at 3,000 meters water equivalent depth, with a nominal acceptance of 10,000 m[superscript 2] sr. It employs liquid scintillator counters, streamer tubes and track-etch detectors which can supply both independent and cross checks for fast monopole candidate events.This search is mainly based on the liquid scintillator counters with primary event selection and energy reconstruction from the ERP system. The 6.2 [mu]s trigger time is based on the time of flight of a fast moving monopole diagonally through one supermodule with a velocity ~10[superscript -2]c. The search uses the "six-month-run" data which were taken from December of 1992 to July of 1993 with the operation of the lower part of the detector. With energy reconstruction ability up to 8 GeV with 22% error, we apply a double-face high energy requirement to reject most muon events from the data sample. We then apply the WFD, streamer tube and strip information to reject non-monopole events.The live time for this analysis is 5,300 hours, with acceptance of 4050 m[superscript 2]sr. With no fast monopole candidate event found, we establish an upper flux limit for the fast moving magnetic monopole at 90% confidence level of 3.03 x 10[superscript -15] cm[superscript -2]sr[superscript -1]s[superscript -1] for velocities from 10[superscript -2]c to 1.0c.

A Search for Fast Moving Magnetic Monopoles with the MACRO Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Rongzhi

1995-01-01

From Dirac monopole theory to modern GUT's (Grand Unified Theories), magnetic monopoles have attracted much attention from physicists. While Dirac had demonstrated the consistency of magnetic monopoles with quantum eletrodynamics, 't Hooft and Polyakov demonstrated the necessity of monopoles in GUT's. Furthermore, the GUT's supply more clues about magnetic monopoles, including their exceptionally heavy masses ~ 10^{16 } GeV. Both current theories and previous monopole experiments have suggested that the flux of magnetic monopoles is likely to be very small, so it is necessary to have a large area detector to search for them. This thesis presents a search for fast moving magnetic monopoles with the MACRO detector. The MACRO detector is a large underground detector located at Gran Sasso, Italy. Its primary goal is to search for magnetic monopoles at a flux level beyond the Parker bound. It is underground at 3,000 meters water equivalent depth, with a nominal acceptance of 10,000 m^2 sr. It employs liquid scintillator counters, streamer tubes and track-etch detectors which can supply both independent and cross checks for fast monopole candidate events. This search is mainly based on the liquid scintillator counters with primary event selection and energy reconstruction from the ERP system. The 6.2 mus trigger time is based on the time of flight of a fast moving monopole diagonally through one supermodule with a velocity ~ 10^{-2}c. The search uses the "six-month-run" data which were taken from December of 1992 to July of 1993 with the operation of the lower part of the detector. With energy reconstruction ability up to 8 GeV with 22% error, we apply a double-face high energy requirement to reject most muon events from the data sample. We then apply the WFD, streamer tube and strip information to reject non-monopole events. The live time for this analysis is 5,300 hours, with acceptance of 4050 m^2 sr. With no fast monopole candidate event found, we establish an upper flux limit for the fast moving magnetic monopole at 90% confidence level of 3.03 times 10^{-15} cm^ {-2}sr^{-1}s ^{-1} for velocities from 10^{-2}c to 1.0c.

Development of the Fast Scintillation Detector with Programmable High Voltage Adjustment Suitable for Moessbauer Spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prochazka, R.; Frydrych, J.; Pechousek, J.

2010-07-13

This work is focused on a development of a compact fast scintillation detector suitable for Moessbauer spectroscopy (low energy X-ray/{gamma}-ray detection) where high counting rates are inevitable. Optimization of this part was necessary for a reliable function, better time resolution and to avoid a detector pulses pile-up effect. The pile-up effect decreases the measurement performance, significantly depends on the source activity and also on the pulse duration. Our new detection unit includes a fast scintillation crystal YAP:Ce, an R6095 photomultiplier tube, a high voltage power supply socket C9028-01 assembly, an AD5252 digital potentiometer with an I2C interface and an AD8000more » ultra fast operation preamplifier. The main advantages of this solution lie in a short pulse duration (less than 200 ns), stable operation for high activities, programmable gain of the high voltage supply and compact design in the aluminum housing.« less

Atmospheric turbulence and high-precision ground-based solar polarimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagaraju, K.; Feller, A.; Ihle, S.; Soltau, H.

2011-10-01

High-precision full-Stokes polarimetry at near diffraction limited spatial resolution is important to understand numerous physical processes on the Sun. In view of the next generation of ground based solar telescopes, we have explored, through numerical simulation, how polarimetric accuracy is affected by atmospheric seeing, especially in the case of large aperture telescopes with increasing ratio between mirror diameter and Fried parameter. In this work we focus on higher-order wavefront aberrations. The numerical generation of time-dependent turbulence phase screens is based on the well-known power spectral method and on the assumption that the temporal evolution is mainly caused by wind driven propagation of frozen-in turbulence across the telescope. To analyze the seeing induced cross-talk between the Stokes parameters we consider polarization modulation scheme based on a continuously rotating waveplate with rotation frequencies between 1 Hz and several 100 Hz. Further, we have started the development of a new fast solar imaging polarimeter, based on pnCCD detector technology from PNSensor. The first detector will have a size of 264 x 264 pixels and will work at frame rates of up to 1kHz, combined with a very low readout noise of 2-3 e- ENC. The camera readout electronics will allow for buffering and accumulation of images corresponding to the different phases of the fast polarization modulation. A high write-out rate (about 30 to 50 frames/s) will allow for post-facto image reconstruction. We will present the concept and the expected performance of the new polarimeter, based on the above-mentioned simulations of atmospheric seeing.

Fast-synchronizing high-fidelity spread-spectrum receiver

DOEpatents

Moore, Michael Roy; Smith, Stephen Fulton; Emery, Michael Steven

2004-06-01

A fast-synchronizing receiver having a circuit including an equalizer configured for manipulating an analog signal; a detector in communication with the equalizer; a filter in communication with the detector; an oscillator in communication with the filter; a gate for receiving the manipulated signal; a circuit portion for synchronizing and tracking the manipulated signal; a summing circuit in communication with the circuit portion; and an output gate.

FAST CHOPPER BUILDING, TRA665, INTERIOR. LOWER (DETECTOR) LEVEL. NOTE BRICKEDIN ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

FAST CHOPPER BUILDING, TRA-665, INTERIOR. LOWER (DETECTOR) LEVEL. NOTE BRICKED-IN WINDOW ON MTR SIDE. USED FOR STORAGE OF LEAD BRICKS AFTER EXPERIMENTAL NEUTRON INSTRUMENTS WERE REMOVED. SIGN SAYS "IN-PROCESS LEAD SOURCE STORAGE." INL NEGATIVE NO. HD-42-2. Mike Crane, Photographer, 3/2004 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Reactor Area, Materials & Engineering Test Reactors, Scoville, Butte County, ID

High speed imaging of dynamic processes with a switched source x-ray CT system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, William M.; Lionheart, William R. B.; Morton, Edward J.; Cunningham, Mike; Luggar, Russell D.

2015-05-01

Conventional x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanners are limited in their scanning speed by the mechanical constraints of their rotating gantries and as such do not provide the necessary temporal resolution for imaging of fast-moving dynamic processes, such as moving fluid flows. The Real Time Tomography (RTT) system is a family of fast cone beam CT scanners which instead use multiple fixed discrete sources and complete rings of detectors in an offset geometry. We demonstrate the potential of this system for use in the imaging of such high speed dynamic processes and give results using simulated and real experimental data. The unusual scanning geometry results in some challenges in image reconstruction, which are overcome using algebraic iterative reconstruction techniques and explicit regularisation. Through the use of a simple temporal regularisation term and by optimising the source firing pattern, we show that temporal resolution of the system may be increased at the expense of spatial resolution, which may be advantageous in some situations. Results are given showing temporal resolution of approximately 500 µs with simulated data and 3 ms with real experimental data.

Large field distributed aperture laser semiactive angle measurement system design with imaging fiber bundles.

PubMed

Xu, Chunyun; Cheng, Haobo; Feng, Yunpeng; Jing, Xiaoli

2016-09-01

A type of laser semiactive angle measurement system is designed for target detecting and tracking. Only one detector is used to detect target location from four distributed aperture optical systems through a 4×1 imaging fiber bundle. A telecentric optical system in image space is designed to increase the efficiency of imaging fiber bundles. According to the working principle of a four-quadrant (4Q) detector, fiber diamond alignment is adopted between an optical system and a 4Q detector. The structure of the laser semiactive angle measurement system is, we believe, novel. Tolerance analysis is carried out to determine tolerance limits of manufacture and installation errors of the optical system. The performance of the proposed method is identified by computer simulations and experiments. It is demonstrated that the linear region of the system is ±12°, with measurement error of better than 0.2°. In general, this new system can be used with large field of view and high accuracy, providing an efficient, stable, and fast method for angle measurement in practical situations.

Liquid-Xe detector for contraband detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vartsky, D.; Israelashvili, I.; Cortesi, M.; Arazi, L.; Coimbra, A. E.; Moleri, L.; Erdal, E.; Bar, D.; Rappaport, M.; Shchemelinin, S.; Caspi, E. N.; Aviv, O.; Breskin, A.

2016-07-01

We describe progress made with a liquid-Xe (LXe) detector coupled to a gaseous photomultiplier (GPM), for combined imaging and spectroscopy of fast neutrons and gamma-rays in the MeV range. The purpose of this detector is to enable the detection of hidden explosives and fissile materials in cargo and containers. The expected position resolution is about 2 m and 3.5 mm for fast neutrons and gamma-rays, respectively. Experimental results obtained using an 241Am source yielded energy and time resolutions of 11% and 1.2 ns RMS, respectively. Initial results obtained with the position-sensitive GPM are presented.

The investigation of fast neutron Threshold Activation Detectors (TAD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gozani, T.; King, M. J.; Stevenson, J.

2012-02-01

The detection of fast neutrons is usually done by liquid hydrogenous organic scintillators, where the separation between the ever present gamma rays and neutrons is achieved by the pulse shape discrimination (PSD). In many practical situation the detection of fast neutrons has to be carried out while the intense source (be it neutrons, gamma rays or x-rays) that creates these neutrons, for example by the fission process, is present. This source, or ``flash'', usually blinds the neutron detectors and temporarily incapacitates them. By the time the detectors recover the prompt neutron signature does not exist. Thus to overcome the blinding background, one needs to search for processes whereby the desired signature, such as fission neutrons could in some way be measured long after the fission occurred and when the neutron detector is fully recovered from the overload. A new approach was proposed and demonstrated a good sensitivity for the detection of fast neutrons in adverse overload situations where normally it could not be done. A temporal separation of the fission event from the prompt neutrons detection is achieved via the activation process. The main idea, called Threshold Activation Detection (or detector)-TAD, is to find appropriate substances that can be selectively activated by the fission neutrons and not by the source radiation, and then measure the radioactively decaying activation products (typically beta and γ-rays) well after the source pulse has ended. The activation material should possess certain properties: a suitable half-life; an energy threshold below which the numerous source neutrons will not activate it (e.g. about 3 MeV); easily detectable activation products and has a usable cross section for the selected reaction. Ideally the substance would be part of the scintillator. There are several good candidates for TAD. The first one we have selected is based on fluorine. One of the major advantages of this element is the fact that it is a major constituent of available scintillators (e.g., BaF2, CaF2, hydrogen free liquid fluorocarbon). Thus the activation products of the fast prompt neutrons, in particular, the beta particles, can be measured with a very high efficiency in the detector. Other detectors and substances were investigated, such as 6Li and even common detectors such as NaI. The principles and experimental results obtained with F, NaI and 6Li based TAD are shown. The various contributing activation products are identified. The insensitivity of the fluorine based TAD to (d,D) neutrons is demonstrated. Ways and means to reduce or subtract the various neutron induced activations of NaI detector are elucidated along with its fast neutron detection capabilities. 6Li could also be a useful TAD.

Apparatus and methods for determining gas saturation and porosity of a formation penetrated by a gas filled or liquid filled borehole

DOEpatents

Wilson, Robert D.

2001-03-27

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining gas saturation, liquid saturation, porosity and density of earth formations penetrated by a well borehole. Determinations are made from measures of fast neutron and inelastic scatter gamma radiation induced by a pulsed, fast neutron source. The system preferably uses two detectors axially spaced from the neutron source. One detector is preferably a scintillation detector responsive to gamma radiation, and a second detector is preferably an organic scintillator responsive to both neutron and gamma radiation. The system can be operated in cased boreholes which are filled with either gas or liquid. Techniques for correcting all measurements for borehole conditions are disclosed.

Optimization design of the angle detecting system used in the fast steering mirror

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Ying-xue; Wu, Jia-bin; San, Xiao-gang; Gao, Shi-jie; Ding, Shao-hang; Wang, Jing; Wang, Tao; Wang, Hui-xian

2018-01-01

In this paper, in order to design a fast steering mirror (FSM) with large deflection angle and high linearity, a deflection angle detecting system (DADS) using quadrant detector (QD) is developed. And the mathematical model describing DADS is established by analyzing the principle of position detecting and error characteristics of QD. Based on this mathematical model, the variation tendencies of deflection angle and linearity of FSM are simulated. Then, by changing the parameters of the DADS, the optimization of deflection angle and linearity of FSM is demonstrated. Finally, a QD-based FSM is designed based on this method, which achieves ±2° deflection angle and 0.72% and 0.68% linearity along x and y axis, respectively. Moreover, this method will be beneficial to the design of large deflection angle and high linearity FSM.

The Use of Fast Neutron Detection for Materials Accountability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakae, L. F.; Chapline, G. F.; Glenn, A. M.; Kerr, P. L.; Kim, K. S.; Ouedraogo, S. A.; Prasad, M. K.; Sheets, S. A.; Snyderman, N. J.; Verbeke, J. M.; Wurtz, R. E.

2014-02-01

For many years at LLNL, we have been developing time-correlated neutron detection techniques and algorithms for applications such as Arms Control, Threat Detection and Nuclear Material Assay. Many of our techniques have been developed specifically for the relatively low efficiency (a few percent) inherent in man-portable systems. Historically, thermal neutron detectors (mainly 3He) were used, taking advantage of the high thermal neutron interaction cross-sections, but more recently we have been investigating the use of fast neutron detection with liquid scintillators, inorganic crystals, and in the near future, pulse-shape discriminating plastics that respond over 1000 times faster (nanoseconds versus tens of microseconds) than thermal neutron detectors. Fast neutron detection offers considerable advantages, since the inherent nanosecond production timescales of fission and neutron-induced fission are preserved and measured instead of being lost in the thermalization of thermal neutron detectors. We are now applying fast neutron technology to the safeguards regime in the form of high efficiency counters. Faster detector response times and sensitivity to neutron momentum show promise in measuring, differentiating, and assaying samples that have modest to very high count rates, as well as mixed neutron sources (e.g., Pu oxide or Mixed Cm and Pu). Here we report on measured results with our existing liquid scintillator array and promote the design of a nuclear material assay system that incorporates fast neutron detection, including the surprising result that fast liquid scintillator becomes competitive and even surpasses the precision of 3He counters measuring correlated pairs in modest (kg) samples of plutonium.

Scintillator-based fast ion loss measurements in the EAST.

PubMed

Chang, J F; Isobe, M; Ogawa, K; Huang, J; Wu, C R; Xu, Z; Jin, Z; Lin, S Y; Hu, L Q

2016-11-01

A new scintillator-based fast ion loss detector (FILD) has been installed on Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) to investigate the fast ion loss behavior in high performance plasma with neutral beam injection (NBI) and ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). A two dimensional 40 mm × 40 mm scintillator-coated (ZnS:Ag) stainless plate is mounted in the front of the detector, capturing the escaping fast ions. Photons from the scintillator plate are imaged with a Phantom V2010 CCD camera. The lost fast ions can be measured with the pitch angle from 60° to 120° and the gyroradius from 10 mm to 180 mm. This paper will describe the details of FILD diagnostic on EAST and describe preliminary measurements during NBI and ICRH heating.

Development of Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors for 4D tracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Staiano, A.; Arcidiacono, R.; Boscardin, M.; Dalla Betta, G. F.; Cartiglia, N.; Cenna, F.; Ferrero, M.; Ficorella, F.; Mandurrino, M.; Obertino, M.; Pancheri, L.; Paternoster, G.; Sola, V.

2017-12-01

In this contribution we review the progress towards the development of a novel type of silicon detectors suited for tracking with a picosecond timing resolution, the so called Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors. The goal is to create a new family of particle detectors merging excellent position and timing resolution with GHz counting capabilities, very low material budget, radiation resistance, fine granularity, low power, insensitivity to magnetic field, and affordability. We aim to achieve concurrent precisions of ~ 10 ps and ~ 10 μm with a 50 μm thick sensor. Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors are based on the concept of Low-Gain Avalanche Detectors, which are silicon detectors with an internal multiplication mechanism so that they generate a signal which is factor ~10 larger than standard silicon detectors. The basic design of UFSD consists of a thin silicon sensor with moderate internal gain and pixelated electrodes coupled to full custom VLSI chip. An overview of test beam data on time resolution and the impact on this measurement of radiation doses at the level of those expected at HL-LHC is presented. First I-V and C-V measurements on a new FBK sensor production of UFSD, 50 μm thick, with B and Ga, activated at two diffusion temperatures, with and without C co-implantation (in Low and High concentrations), and with different effective doping concentrations in the Gain layer, are shown. Perspectives on current use of UFSD in HEP experiments (UFSD detectors have been installed in the CMS-TOTEM Precision Protons Spectrometer for the forward physics tracking, and are currently taking data) and proposed applications for a MIP timing layer in the HL-LHC upgrade are briefly discussed.

Scene-based nonuniformity correction algorithm based on interframe registration.

PubMed

Zuo, Chao; Chen, Qian; Gu, Guohua; Sui, Xiubao

2011-06-01

In this paper, we present a simple and effective scene-based nonuniformity correction (NUC) method for infrared focal plane arrays based on interframe registration. This method estimates the global translation between two adjacent frames and minimizes the mean square error between the two properly registered images to make any two detectors with the same scene produce the same output value. In this way, the accumulation of the registration error can be avoided and the NUC can be achieved. The advantages of the proposed algorithm lie in its low computational complexity and storage requirements and ability to capture temporal drifts in the nonuniformity parameters. The performance of the proposed technique is thoroughly studied with infrared image sequences with simulated nonuniformity and infrared imagery with real nonuniformity. It shows a significantly fast and reliable fixed-pattern noise reduction and obtains an effective frame-by-frame adaptive estimation of each detector's gain and offset.

System Integration of FastSPECT III, a Dedicated SPECT Rodent-Brain Imager Based on BazookaSPECT Detector Technology

PubMed Central

Miller, Brian W.; Furenlid, Lars R.; Moore, Stephen K.; Barber, H. Bradford; Nagarkar, Vivek V.; Barrett, Harrison H.

2010-01-01

FastSPECT III is a stationary, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imager designed specifically for imaging and studying neurological pathologies in rodent brain, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons’s disease. Twenty independent BazookaSPECT [1] gamma-ray detectors acquire projections of a spherical field of view with pinholes selected for desired resolution and sensitivity. Each BazookaSPECT detector comprises a columnar CsI(Tl) scintillator, image-intensifier, optical lens, and fast-frame-rate CCD camera. Data stream back to processing computers via firewire interfaces, and heavy use of graphics processing units (GPUs) ensures that each frame of data is processed in real time to extract the images of individual gamma-ray events. Details of the system design, imaging aperture fabrication methods, and preliminary projection images are presented. PMID:21218137

Distributed state machine supervision for long-baseline gravitational-wave detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rollins, Jameson Graef, E-mail: jameson.rollins@ligo.org

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) consists of two identical yet independent, widely separated, long-baseline gravitational-wave detectors. Each Advanced LIGO detector consists of complex optical-mechanical systems isolated from the ground by multiple layers of active seismic isolation, all controlled by hundreds of fast, digital, feedback control systems. This article describes a novel state machine-based automation platform developed to handle the automation and supervisory control challenges of these detectors. The platform, called Guardian, consists of distributed, independent, state machine automaton nodes organized hierarchically for full detector control. User code is written in standard Python and the platform is designed to facilitatemore » the fast-paced development process associated with commissioning the complicated Advanced LIGO instruments. While developed specifically for the Advanced LIGO detectors, Guardian is a generic state machine automation platform that is useful for experimental control at all levels, from simple table-top setups to large-scale multi-million dollar facilities.« less

High-Sensitivity Fast Neutron Detector KNK-2-8M

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koshelev, A. S.; Dovbysh, L. Ye.; Ovchinnikov, M. A.; Pikulina, G. N.; Drozdov, Yu. M.; Chuklyaev, S. V.; Pepyolyshev, Yu. N.

2017-12-01

The design of the fast neutron detector KNK-2-8M is outlined. The results of he detector study in the pulse counting mode with pulses from 238U nuclei fission in the radiator of the neutron-sensitive section and in the current mode with separation of functional section currents are presented. The possibilities of determination of the effective number of 238U nuclei in the radiator of the neutron-sensitive section are considered. The diagnostic capabilities of the detector in the counting mode are demonstrated, as exemplified by the analysis of reference data on characteristics of neutron fields in the BR-1 reactor hall. The diagnostic capabilities of the detector in the current mode are demonstrated, as exemplified by the results of measurements of 238U fission intensity in the power startup of the BR-K1 reactor in the fission pulse generation mode with delayed neutrons and the detector placed in the reactor cavity in conditions of large-scale variation of the reactor radiation fields.

Evaluation of position-estimation methods applied to CZT-based photon-counting detectors for dedicated breast CT

PubMed Central

Makeev, Andrey; Clajus, Martin; Snyder, Scott; Wang, Xiaolang; Glick, Stephen J.

2015-01-01

Abstract. Semiconductor photon-counting detectors based on high atomic number, high density materials [cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)/cadmium telluride (CdTe)] for x-ray computed tomography (CT) provide advantages over conventional energy-integrating detectors, including reduced electronic and Swank noise, wider dynamic range, capability of spectral CT, and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Certain CT applications require high spatial resolution. In breast CT, for example, visualization of microcalcifications and assessment of tumor microvasculature after contrast enhancement require resolution on the order of 100  μm. A straightforward approach to increasing spatial resolution of pixellated CZT-based radiation detectors by merely decreasing the pixel size leads to two problems: (1) fabricating circuitry with small pixels becomes costly and (2) inter-pixel charge spreading can obviate any improvement in spatial resolution. We have used computer simulations to investigate position estimation algorithms that utilize charge sharing to achieve subpixel position resolution. To study these algorithms, we model a simple detector geometry with a 5×5 array of 200  μm pixels, and use a conditional probability function to model charge transport in CZT. We used COMSOL finite element method software to map the distribution of charge pulses and the Monte Carlo package PENELOPE for simulating fluorescent radiation. Performance of two x-ray interaction position estimation algorithms was evaluated: the method of maximum-likelihood estimation and a fast, practical algorithm that can be implemented in a readout application-specific integrated circuit and allows for identification of a quadrant of the pixel in which the interaction occurred. Both methods demonstrate good subpixel resolution; however, their actual efficiency is limited by the presence of fluorescent K-escape photons. Current experimental breast CT systems typically use detectors with a pixel size of 194  μm, with 2×2 binning during the acquisition giving an effective pixel size of 388  μm. Thus, it would be expected that the position estimate accuracy reported in this study would improve detection and visualization of microcalcifications as compared to that with conventional detectors. PMID:26158095

Evaluation of position-estimation methods applied to CZT-based photon-counting detectors for dedicated breast CT.

PubMed

Makeev, Andrey; Clajus, Martin; Snyder, Scott; Wang, Xiaolang; Glick, Stephen J

2015-04-01

Semiconductor photon-counting detectors based on high atomic number, high density materials [cadmium zinc telluride (CZT)/cadmium telluride (CdTe)] for x-ray computed tomography (CT) provide advantages over conventional energy-integrating detectors, including reduced electronic and Swank noise, wider dynamic range, capability of spectral CT, and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Certain CT applications require high spatial resolution. In breast CT, for example, visualization of microcalcifications and assessment of tumor microvasculature after contrast enhancement require resolution on the order of [Formula: see text]. A straightforward approach to increasing spatial resolution of pixellated CZT-based radiation detectors by merely decreasing the pixel size leads to two problems: (1) fabricating circuitry with small pixels becomes costly and (2) inter-pixel charge spreading can obviate any improvement in spatial resolution. We have used computer simulations to investigate position estimation algorithms that utilize charge sharing to achieve subpixel position resolution. To study these algorithms, we model a simple detector geometry with a [Formula: see text] array of [Formula: see text] pixels, and use a conditional probability function to model charge transport in CZT. We used COMSOL finite element method software to map the distribution of charge pulses and the Monte Carlo package PENELOPE for simulating fluorescent radiation. Performance of two x-ray interaction position estimation algorithms was evaluated: the method of maximum-likelihood estimation and a fast, practical algorithm that can be implemented in a readout application-specific integrated circuit and allows for identification of a quadrant of the pixel in which the interaction occurred. Both methods demonstrate good subpixel resolution; however, their actual efficiency is limited by the presence of fluorescent [Formula: see text]-escape photons. Current experimental breast CT systems typically use detectors with a pixel size of [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text] binning during the acquisition giving an effective pixel size of [Formula: see text]. Thus, it would be expected that the position estimate accuracy reported in this study would improve detection and visualization of microcalcifications as compared to that with conventional detectors.

Development of a new type of germanium detector for dark matter searches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Wenzhao

Monte Carlo simulation is an important tool used to develop a better understanding of important physical processes. This thesis describes three Monte Carlo simulations used to understand germanium detector response to low energy nuclear recoils and radiogenic backgrounds for direct dark matter searches. The first simulation is the verification of Barker-Mei model, a theoretical model for calculating the ionization efficiency for germanium detector for the energy range of 1 - 100 keV. Utilizing the shape analysis, a bin-to-bin comparison between simulation and experimental data was performed for verifying the accuracy of the Barker-Mei model. A percentage difference within 4% was achieved between data and simulation, which showed the validity of the Barker-Mei model. The second simulation is the study of a new type of germanium detector for n/gamma discrimination at 77 K with plasma time difference in pulse shape. Due to the poor time resolution, conventional P-type Point Contact (PPC) and coaxial germanium detectors are not capable of discriminating nuclear recoils from electron recoils. In this thesis, a new idea of using great detector granularity and plasma time difference in pulse shape to discriminate nuclear recoils from electron recoils with planar germanium detectors in strings was discussed. The anticipated sensitivity of this new detector array is shown for detecting dark matter. The last simulation is a study of a new type of germanium-detector array serving as a PMT screening facility for ultra-low background dark matter experiments using noble liquid xenon as detector material such LUX/LZ and XENON100/XENON1T. A well-shaped germanium detector array and a PMT were simulated to study the detector response to the signal and background for a better understanding of the radiogenic gamma rays from PMTs. The detector efficiency and other detector performance were presented in this work.

Towards time-of-flight PET with a semiconductor detector.

PubMed

Ariño-Estrada, Gerard; Mitchell, Gregory S; Kwon, Sun Il; Du, Junwei; Kim, Hadong; Cirignano, Leonard J; Shah, Kanai S; Cherry, Simon R

2018-02-16

The feasibility of using Cerenkov light, generated by energetic electrons following 511 keV photon interactions in the semiconductor TlBr, to obtain fast timing information for positron emission tomography (PET) was evaluated. Due to its high refractive index, TlBr is a relatively good Cerenkov radiator and with its wide bandgap, has good optical transparency across most of the visible spectrum. Coupling an SiPM photodetector to a slab of TlBr (TlBr-SiPM) yielded a coincidence timing resolution of 620 ps FWHM between the TlBr-SiPM detector and a LFS reference detector. This value improved to 430 ps FWHM by applying a high pulse amplitude cut based on the TlBr-SiPM and reference detector signal amplitudes. These results are the best ever achieved with a semiconductor PET detector and already approach the performance required for time-of-flight. As TlBr has higher stopping power and better energy resolution than the conventional scintillation detectors currently used in PET scanners, a hybrid TlBr-SiPM detector with fast timing capability becomes an interesting option for further development.

Investigation of Very Fast Light Detectors: Silicon Photomultiplier and Micro PMT for a Cosmic Ray Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cervantes, Omar; Reyes, Liliana; Hooks, Tyler; Perez, Luis; Ritt, Stefan

2016-03-01

To construct a cosmic detector array using 4 scintillation detectors, we investigated 2 recent light sensor technologies from Hamamatsu, as possible readout detectors. First, we investigated several homemade versions of the multipixel photon counter (MPPC) light sensors. These detectors were either biased with internal or external high voltage power supplies. We made extensive measurements to confirm for the coincidence of the MPPC devices. Each sensor is coupled to a wavelength shifting fiber (WSF) that is embedded along a plastic scintillator sheet (30cmx60cmx1/4''). Using energetic cosmic rays, we evaluated several of these homemade detector modules placed above one another in a light proof enclosure. Next, we assembled 2 miniaturized micro photomultiplier (micro PMT), a device recently marketed by Hamamatsu. These sensors showed very fast response times. With 3 WSF embedded in scintillator sheets, we performed coincidence experiments. The detector waveforms were captured using the 5GS/sec domino ring sampler, the DRS4 and our workflow using the CERN PAW package and data analysis results would be presented. Title V Grant.

A first comparison of the responses of a 4He-based fast-neutron detector and a NE-213 liquid-scintillator reference detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jebali, R.; Scherzinger, J.; Annand, J. R. M.; Chandra, R.; Davatz, G.; Fissum, K. G.; Friederich, H.; Gendotti, U.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Håkansson, E.; Kanaki, K.; Lundin, M.; Murer, D.; Nilsson, B.; Rosborg, A.; Svensson, H.

2015-09-01

A first comparison has been made between the pulse-shape discrimination characteristics of a novel 4He-based pressurized scintillation detector and a NE-213 liquid-scintillator reference detector using an Am/Be mixed-field neutron and gamma-ray source and a high-resolution scintillation-pulse digitizer. In particular, the capabilities of the two fast neutron detectors to discriminate between neutrons and gamma-rays were investigated. The NE-213 liquid-scintillator reference cell produced a wide range of scintillation-light yields in response to the gamma-ray field of the source. In stark contrast, due to the size and pressure of the 4He gas volume, the 4He-based detector registered a maximum scintillation-light yield of 750keVee to the same gamma-ray field. Pulse-shape discrimination for particles with scintillation-light yields of more than 750keVee was excellent in the case of the 4He-based detector. Above 750keVee its signal was unambiguously neutron, enabling particle identification based entirely upon the amount of scintillation light produced.

Towards time-of-flight PET with a semiconductor detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ariño-Estrada, Gerard; Mitchell, Gregory S.; Kwon, Sun Il; Du, Junwei; Kim, Hadong; Cirignano, Leonard J.; Shah, Kanai S.; Cherry, Simon R.

2018-02-01

The feasibility of using Cerenkov light, generated by energetic electrons following 511 keV photon interactions in the semiconductor TlBr, to obtain fast timing information for positron emission tomography (PET) was evaluated. Due to its high refractive index, TlBr is a relatively good Cerenkov radiator and with its wide bandgap, has good optical transparency across most of the visible spectrum. Coupling an SiPM photodetector to a slab of TlBr (TlBr-SiPM) yielded a coincidence timing resolution of 620 ps FWHM between the TlBr-SiPM detector and a LFS reference detector. This value improved to 430 ps FWHM by applying a high pulse amplitude cut based on the TlBr-SiPM and reference detector signal amplitudes. These results are the best ever achieved with a semiconductor PET detector and already approach the performance required for time-of-flight. As TlBr has higher stopping power and better energy resolution than the conventional scintillation detectors currently used in PET scanners, a hybrid TlBr-SiPM detector with fast timing capability becomes an interesting option for further development.

Detection of nitro-based and peroxide-based explosives by fast polarity-switchable ion mobility spectrometer with ion focusing in vicinity of Faraday detector.

PubMed

Zhou, Qinghua; Peng, Liying; Jiang, Dandan; Wang, Xin; Wang, Haiyan; Li, Haiyang

2015-05-29

Ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) has been widely deployed for on-site detection of explosives. The common nitro-based explosives are usually detected by negative IMS while the emerging peroxide-based explosives are better detected by positive IMS. In this study, a fast polarity-switchable IMS was constructed to detect these two explosive species in a single measurement. As the large traditional Faraday detector would cause a trailing reactant ion peak (RIP), a Faraday detector with ion focusing in vicinity was developed by reducing the detector radius to 3.3 mm and increasing the voltage difference between aperture grid and its front guard ring to 591 V, which could remove trailing peaks from RIP without loss of signal intensity. This fast polarity-switchable IMS with ion focusing in vicinity of Faraday detector was employed to detect a mixture of 10 ng 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 50 ng hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) by polarity-switching, and the result suggested that [TNT-H](-) and [HMTD+H](+) could be detected in a single measurement. Furthermore, the removal of trailing peaks from RIP by the Faraday detector with ion focusing in vicinity also promised the accurate identification of KClO4, KNO3 and S in common inorganic explosives, whose product ion peaks were fairly adjacent to RIP.

Comparison of Fast Neutron Detector Technologies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stange, Sy; Mckigney, Edward Allen

2015-02-09

This report documents the work performed for the Department of Homeland Security Domestic Nuclear Detection O ce as the project Fast Neutron Detection Evaluation under contract HSHQDC-14-X-00022. This study was performed as a follow-on to the project Study of Fast Neutron Signatures and Measurement Techniques for SNM Detection - DNDO CFP11-100 STA-01. That work compared various detector technologies in a portal monitor con guration, focusing on a comparison between a number of fast neutron detection techniques and two standard thermal neutron detection technologies. The conclusions of the earlier work are contained in the report Comparison of Fast Neutron Detector Technologies.more » This work is designed to address questions raised about assumptions underlying the models built for the earlier project. To that end, liquid scintillators of two di erent sizes{ one a commercial, o -the-shelf (COTS) model of standard dimensions and the other a large, planer module{were characterized at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The results of those measurements were combined with the results of the earlier models to gain a more complete picture of the performance of liquid scintillator as a portal monitor technology.« less

Detector Simulations with DD4hep

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrič, M.; Frank, M.; Gaede, F.; Lu, S.; Nikiforou, N.; Sailer, A.

2017-10-01

Detector description is a key component of detector design studies, test beam analyses, and most of particle physics experiments that require the simulation of more and more different detector geometries and event types. This paper describes DD4hep, which is an easy-to-use yet flexible and powerful detector description framework that can be used for detector simulation and also extended to specific needs for a particular working environment. Linear collider detector concepts ILD, SiD and CLICdp as well as detector development collaborations CALICE and FCal have chosen to adopt the DD4hep geometry framework and its DDG4 pathway to Geant4 as its core simulation and reconstruction tools. The DDG4 plugins suite includes a wide variety of input formats, provides access to the Geant4 particle gun or general particles source and allows for handling of Monte Carlo truth information, eg. by linking hits and the primary particle that caused them, which is indispensable for performance and efficiency studies. An extendable array of segmentations and sensitive detectors allows the simulation of a wide variety of detector technologies. This paper shows how DD4hep allows to perform complex Geant4 detector simulations without compiling a single line of additional code by providing a palette of sub-detector components that can be combined and configured via compact XML files. Simulation is controlled either completely via the command line or via simple Python steering files interpreted by a Python executable. It also discusses how additional plugins and extensions can be created to increase the functionality.

Blind ICA detection based on second-order cone programming for MC-CDMA systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jen, Chih-Wei; Jou, Shyh-Jye

2014-12-01

The multicarrier code division multiple access (MC-CDMA) technique has received considerable interest for its potential application to future wireless communication systems due to its high data rate. A common problem regarding the blind multiuser detectors used in MC-CDMA systems is that they are extremely sensitive to the complex channel environment. Besides, the perturbation of colored noise may negatively affect the performance of the system. In this paper, a new coherent detection method will be proposed, which utilizes the modified fast independent component analysis (FastICA) algorithm, based on approximate negentropy maximization that is subject to the second-order cone programming (SOCP) constraint. The aim of the proposed coherent detection is to provide robustness against small-to-medium channel estimation mismatch (CEM) that may arise from channel frequency response estimation error in the MC-CDMA system, which is modulated by downlink binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) under colored noise. Noncoherent demodulation schemes are preferable to coherent demodulation schemes, as the latter are difficult to implement over time-varying fading channels. Differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) is therefore the natural choice for an alternative modulation scheme. Furthermore, the new blind differential SOCP-based ICA (SOCP-ICA) detection without channel estimation and compensation will be proposed to combat Doppler spread caused by time-varying fading channels in the DPSK-modulated MC-CDMA system under colored noise. In this paper, numerical simulations are used to illustrate the robustness of the proposed blind coherent SOCP-ICA detector against small-to-medium CEM and to emphasize the advantage of the blind differential SOCP-ICA detector in overcoming Doppler spread.

High-Energy Particle Showers Observed at Ground Level in Coincidence with Downward Lightning Leaders at the Telescope Array Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belz, John; Abbasi, Rasha; Le Von, Ryan; Krehbiel, Paul; Remington, Jackson; Rison, William

Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGFs) detected by satellite observations have been shown to be generated by upward propagating negative leaders at altitudes of about 10 to 12 km above Mean Sea Level (MSL), and have durations ranging between a few hundred microseconds and a few milliseconds. The Telescope Array Cosmic Ray observatory, designed to observe air showers induced by ultra high energy cosmic rays, includes a surface scintillator detector (SD) covering approximately 700 square kilometers on a 1.2 km grid. Following the observation of anomalous SD triggers correlated with local lightning activity, a Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) and slow electric field antenna were installed at the TA site in order to characterize the lightning associated with these anomalous triggers. In this talk, we present evidence that the anomalous triggers are produced during the initial breakdown phase of fast, downward propagating, negative leaders above the detectors which produced the triggers. The durations of the high energy radiation are a few hundred microseconds, similar to satellite observations of TGFs. The triggers were produced within a few hundred microseconds of the initiation of the leaders, when the leaders were at an altitude of about 3 to 4 km MSL. The TA scintillation detectors are not optimized for gamma ray detection, however we present the results of simulations demonstrating that the fluxes observed are consistent with this picture. We conclude that the anomalous triggers observed by TA are clearly due to high energy radiation produced by the fast downward propagating negative leaders, and are probably downward-directed TGFs.

Characterization of the fast electrons distribution produced in a high intensity laser target interaction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Westover, B.; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550; Chen, C. D.

2014-03-15

Experiments on the Titan laser (∼150 J, 0.7 ps, 2 × 10{sup 20} W cm{sup −2}) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory were carried out in order to study the properties of fast electrons produced by high-intensity, short pulse laser interacting with matter under conditions relevant to Fast Ignition. Bremsstrahlung x-rays produced by these fast electrons were measured by a set of compact filter-stack based x-ray detectors placed at three angles with respect to the target. The measured bremsstrahlung signal allows a characterization of the fast electron beam spectrum, conversion efficiency of laser energy into fast electron kinetic energy and angular distribution. A Monte Carlo codemore » Integrated Tiger Series was used to model the bremsstrahlung signal and infer a laser to fast electron conversion efficiency of 30%, an electron slope temperature of about 2.2 MeV, and a mean divergence angle of 39°. Simulations were also performed with the hybrid transport code ZUMA which includes fields in the target. In this case, a conversion efficiency of laser energy to fast electron energy of 34% and a slope temperature between 1.5 MeV and 4 MeV depending on the angle between the target normal direction and the measuring spectrometer are found. The observed temperature of the bremsstrahlung spectrum, and therefore the inferred electron spectrum are found to be angle dependent.« less

Calibration of a portable HPGe detector using MCNP code for the determination of 137Cs in soils.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Villanueva, J L; Martín-Martín, A; Peña, V; Iniguez, M P; de Celis, B; de la Fuente, R

2008-10-01

In situ gamma spectrometry provides a fast method to determine (137)Cs inventories in soils. To improve the accuracy of the estimates, one can use not only the information on the photopeak count rates but also on the peak to forward-scatter ratios. Before applying this procedure to field measurements, a calibration including several experimental simulations must be carried out in the laboratory. In this paper it is shown that Monte Carlo methods are a valuable tool to minimize the number of experimental measurements needed for the calibration.

CdS-Nanowires Flexible Photo-detector with Ag-Nanowires Electrode Based on Non-transfer Process

PubMed Central

Pei, Yanli; Pei, Ruihan; Liang, Xiaoci; Wang, Yuhao; Liu, Ling; Chen, Haibiao; Liang, Jun

2016-01-01

In this study, UV-visible flexible resistivity-type photo-detectors were demonstrated with CdS-nanowires (NWs) percolation network channel and Ag-NWs percolation network electrode. The devices were fabricated on Mixed Cellulose Esters (MCE) membrane using a lithographic filtration method combined with a facile non-transfer process. The photo-detectors demonstrated strong adhesion, fast response time, fast decay time, and high photo sensitivity. The high performance could be attributed to the high quality single crystalline CdS-NWs, encapsulation of NWs in MCE matrix and excellent interconnection of the NWs. Furthermore, the sensing performance was maintained even the device was bent at an angle of 90°. This research may pave the way for the facile fabrication of flexible photo-detectors with high performances. PMID:26899726

Recent Results with CVD Diamond Trackers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, W.; Bauer, C.; Berdermann, E.; Bergonzo, P.; Bogani, F.; Borchi, E.; Brambilla, A.; Bruzzi, M.; Colledani, C.; Conway, J.; Dabrowski, W.; Delpierre, P.; Deneuville, A.; Dulinski, W.; van Eijk, B.; Fallou, A.; Fizzotti, F.; Foulon, F.; Friedl, M.; Gan, K. K.; Gheeraert, E.; Grigoriev, E.; Hallewell, G.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Han, S.; Hartjes, F.; Hrubec, J.; Husson, D.; Kagan, H.; Kania, D.; Kaplon, J.; Karl, C.; Kass, R.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Krammer, M.; Logiudice, A.; Lu, R.; Manfredi, P. F.; Manfredotti, C.; Marshall, R. D.; Meier, D.; Mishina, M.; Oh, A.; Pan, L. S.; Palmieri, V. G.; Pernicka, M.; Peitz, A.; Pirollo, S.; Polesello, P.; Pretzl, K.; Procario, M.; Re, V.; Riester, J. L.; Roe, S.; Roff, D.; Rudge, A.; Runolfsson, O.; Russ, J.; Schnetzer, S.; Sciortino, S.; Speziali, V.; Stelzer, H.; Stone, R.; Suter, B.; Tapper, R. J.; Tesarek, R.; Trawick, M.; Trischuk, W.; Vittone, E.; Walsh, A. M.; Wedenig, R.; Weilhammer, P.; White, C.; Ziock, H.; Zoeller, M.; RD42 Collaboration

1999-08-01

We present recent results on the use of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond microstrip detectors for charged particle tracking. A series of detectors was fabricated using 1 x 1 cm 2 diamonds. Good signal-to-noise ratios were observed using both slow and fast readout electronics. For slow readout electronics, 2 μs shaping time, the most probable signal-to-noise ratio was 50 to 1. For fast readout electronics, 25 ns peaking time, the most probable signal-to-noise ratio was 7 to 1. Using the first 2 x 4 cm 2 diamond from a production CVD reactor with slow readout electronics, the most probable signal-to-noise ratio was 23 to 1. The spatial resolution achieved for the detectors was consistent with the digital resolution expected from the detector pitch.

An upgraded x-ray spectroscopy diagnostic on MST.

PubMed

Clayton, D J; Almagri, A F; Burke, D R; Forest, C B; Goetz, J A; Kaufman, M C; O'Connell, R

2010-10-01

An upgraded x-ray spectroscopy diagnostic is used to measure the distribution of fast electrons in MST and to determine Z(eff) and the particle diffusion coefficient D(r). A radial array of 12 CdZnTe hard-x-ray detectors measures 10-150 keV Bremsstrahlung from fast electrons, a signature of reduced stochasticity and improved confinement in the plasma. A new Si soft-x-ray detector measures 2-10 keV Bremsstrahlung from thermal and fast electrons. The shaped output pulses from both detector types are digitized and the resulting waveforms are fit with Gaussians to resolve pileup and provide good time and energy resolution. Lead apertures prevent detector saturation and provide a well-known etendue, while lead shielding prevents pickup from stray x-rays. New Be vacuum windows transmit >2 keV x-rays, and additional Al and Be filters are sometimes used to reduce low energy flux for better resolution at higher energies. Measured spectra are compared to those predicted by the Fokker-Planck code CQL3D to deduce Z(eff) and D(r).

Constraints on Vesta's elemental composition: Fast neutron measurements by Dawn's gamma ray and neutron detector

PubMed Central

Lawrence, David J; Peplowski, Patrick N; Prettyman, Thomas H; Feldman, William C; Bazell, David; Mittlefehldt, David W; Reedy, Robert C; Yamashita, Naoyuki

2013-01-01

Surface composition information from Vesta is reported using fast neutron data collected by the gamma ray and neutron detector on the Dawn spacecraft. After correcting for variations due to hydrogen, fast neutrons show a compositional dynamic range and spatial variability that is consistent with variations in average atomic mass from howardite, eucrite, and diogenite (HED) meteorites. These data provide additional compositional evidence that Vesta is the parent body to HED meteorites. A subset of fast neutron data having lower statistical precision show spatial variations that are consistent with a 400 ppm variability in hydrogen concentrations across Vesta and supports the idea that Vesta's hydrogen is due to long-term delivery of carbonaceous chondrite material. PMID:26074718

A simulation study of fast neutron interrogation for standoff detection of improvised explosive devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heider, S. A.; Dunn, W. L.

2015-11-01

The signature-based radiation-scanning technique utilizes radiation detector responses, called "signatures," and compares these to "templates" in order to differentiate targets that contain certain materials, such as explosives or drugs, from those that do not. Our investigations are aimed at the detection of nitrogen-rich explosives contained in improvised explosive devices. We use the term "clutter" to refer to any non-explosive materials with which the interrogating radiation may interact between source and detector. To deal with the many target types and clutter configurations that may be encountered in the field, the use of "artificial templates" is proposed. The MCNP code was used to simulate 14.1 MeV neutron source beams incident on one type of target containing various clutter and sample materials. Signatures due to inelastic-scatter and prompt-capture gamma rays from hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen and two scattered neutron signatures were considered. Targets containing explosive materials in the presence of clutter were able to be identified from targets that contained only non-explosive ("inert") materials. This study demonstrates that a finite number of artificial templates is sufficient for IED detection with fairly good sensitivity and specificity.

Concealed nuclear material identification via combined fast-neutron/γ-ray computed tomography (FNGCT): a Monte Carlo study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Licata, M.; Joyce, M. J.

2018-02-01

The potential of a combined and simultaneous fast-neutron/γ-ray computed tomography technique using Monte Carlo simulations is described. This technique is applied on the basis of a hypothetical tomography system comprising an isotopic radiation source (americium-beryllium) and a number (13) of organic scintillation detectors for the production and detection of both fast neutrons and γ rays, respectively. Via a combination of γ-ray and fast neutron tomography the potential is demonstrated to discern nuclear materials, such as compounds comprising plutonium and uranium, from substances that are used widely for neutron moderation and shielding. This discrimination is achieved on the basis of the difference in the attenuation characteristics of these substances. Discrimination of a variety of nuclear material compounds from shielding/moderating substances (the latter comprising lead or polyethylene for example) is shown to be challenging when using either γ-ray or neutron tomography in isolation of one another. Much-improved contrast is obtained for a combination of these tomographic modalities. This method has potential applications for in-situ, non-destructive assessments in nuclear security, safeguards, waste management and related requirements in the nuclear industry.

Graphene field-effect transistors as room-temperature terahertz detectors.

PubMed

Vicarelli, L; Vitiello, M S; Coquillat, D; Lombardo, A; Ferrari, A C; Knap, W; Polini, M; Pellegrini, V; Tredicucci, A

2012-10-01

The unique optoelectronic properties of graphene make it an ideal platform for a variety of photonic applications, including fast photodetectors, transparent electrodes in displays and photovoltaic modules, optical modulators, plasmonic devices, microcavities, and ultra-fast lasers. Owing to its high carrier mobility, gapless spectrum and frequency-independent absorption, graphene is a very promising material for the development of detectors and modulators operating in the terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum (wavelengths in the hundreds of micrometres), still severely lacking in terms of solid-state devices. Here we demonstrate terahertz detectors based on antenna-coupled graphene field-effect transistors. These exploit the nonlinear response to the oscillating radiation field at the gate electrode, with contributions of thermoelectric and photoconductive origin. We demonstrate room temperature operation at 0.3 THz, showing that our devices can already be used in realistic settings, enabling large-area, fast imaging of macroscopic samples.

Fast CsI-phoswich detector

DOEpatents

Langenbrunner, James R.

1996-01-01

An improved phoswich radiation detector used pure CsI crystal and a fast plastic scintillator and a single photomultiplier tube. The plastic is arranged to receive incident radiation, and that which passed through then strikes the CsI crystal. Scintillation light from both the plastic and CsI crystal are applied to the photomultiplier tube, with the light from the plastic passing through the crystal without absorption therein. Electronics are provided for analyzing the output of the photomultiplier tube to discriminate responses due to the plastic and the CsI crystal, through short gate and long gate integration, to produce results which are indicative of the characteristics of the different types of incident radiation, even in the presence of large amounts of radiation. The phoswich detector has excellent timing resolution. The scintillators of the CsI- phoswich were chosen for their fast risetimes, of about 3 ns for NE102A, and 30 ns for the pure CsI.

Fast CsI-phoswich detector

DOEpatents

Langenbrunner, J.R.

1996-05-07

An improved phoswich radiation detector used pure CsI crystal and a fast plastic scintillator and a single photomultiplier tube. The plastic is arranged to receive incident radiation, and that which passed through then strikes the CsI crystal. Scintillation light from both the plastic and CsI crystal are applied to the photomultiplier tube, with the light from the plastic passing through the crystal without absorption therein. Electronics are provided for analyzing the output of the photomultiplier tube to discriminate responses due to the plastic and the CsI crystal, through short gate and long gate integration, to produce results which are indicative of the characteristics of the different types of incident radiation, even in the presence of large amounts of radiation. The phoswich detector has excellent timing resolution. The scintillators of the CsI- phoswich were chosen for their fast risetimes, of about 3 ns for NE102A, and 30 ns for the pure CsI. 5 figs.

Gravitational waves from Scorpius X-1: A comparison of search methods and prospects for detection with advanced detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Messenger, C.; Bulten, H. J.; Crowder, S. G.; Dergachev, V.; Galloway, D. K.; Goetz, E.; Jonker, R. J. G.; Lasky, P. D.; Meadors, G. D.; Melatos, A.; Premachandra, S.; Riles, K.; Sammut, L.; Thrane, E. H.; Whelan, J. T.; Zhang, Y.

2015-07-01

The low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius X-1 (Sco X-1) is potentially the most luminous source of continuous gravitational-wave radiation for interferometers such as LIGO and Virgo. For low-mass X-ray binaries this radiation would be sustained by active accretion of matter from its binary companion. With the Advanced Detector Era fast approaching, work is underway to develop an array of robust tools for maximizing the science and detection potential of Sco X-1. We describe the plans and progress of a project designed to compare the numerous independent search algorithms currently available. We employ a mock-data challenge in which the search pipelines are tested for their relative proficiencies in parameter estimation, computational efficiency, robustness, and most importantly, search sensitivity. The mock-data challenge data contains an ensemble of 50 Scorpius X-1 (Sco X-1) type signals, simulated within a frequency band of 50-1500 Hz. Simulated detector noise was generated assuming the expected best strain sensitivity of Advanced LIGO [1] and Advanced VIRGO [2] (4 ×10-24 Hz-1 /2 ). A distribution of signal amplitudes was then chosen so as to allow a useful comparison of search methodologies. A factor of 2 in strain separates the quietest detected signal, at 6.8 ×10-26 strain, from the torque-balance limit at a spin frequency of 300 Hz, although this limit could range from 1.2 ×10-25 (25 Hz) to 2.2 ×10-26 (750 Hz) depending on the unknown frequency of Sco X-1. With future improvements to the search algorithms and using advanced detector data, our expectations for probing below the theoretical torque-balance strain limit are optimistic.

Fusion proton diagnostic for the C-2 field reversed configurationa)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magee, R. M.; Clary, R.; Korepanov, S.; Smirnov, A.; Garate, E.; Knapp, K.; Tkachev, A.

2014-11-01

Measurements of the flux of fusion products from high temperature plasmas provide valuable insights into the ion energy distribution, as the fusion reaction rate is a very sensitive function of ion energy. In C-2, where field reversed configuration plasmas are formed by the collision of two compact toroids and partially sustained by high power neutral beam injection [M. Binderbauer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 045003 (2010); M. Tuszewski et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 255008 (2012)], measurements of DD fusion neutron flux are used to diagnose ion temperature and study fast ion confinement and dynamics. In this paper, we will describe the development of a new 3 MeV proton detector that will complement existing neutron detectors. The detector is a large area (50 cm2), partially depleted, ion implanted silicon diode operated in a pulse counting regime. While the scintillator-based neutron detectors allow for high time resolution measurements (˜100 kHz), they have no spatial or energy resolution. The proton detector will provide 10 cm spatial resolution, allowing us to determine if the axial distribution of fast ions is consistent with classical fast ion theory or whether anomalous scattering mechanisms are active. We will describe in detail the diagnostic design and present initial data from a neutral beam test chamber.

Simulation of the MoEDAL experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, Matthew; MoEDAL Collaboration

2016-04-01

The MoEDAL experiment (Monopole and Exotics Detector at the LHC) is designed to directly search for magnetic monopoles and other highly ionising stable or meta-stable particles at the LHC. The MoEDAL detector comprises an array of plastic track detectors and aluminium trapping volumes around the P8 intersection region, opposite from the LHCb detector. TimePix devices are also installed for monitoring of the experiment. As MoEDAL mostly employs passive detectors the software development focusses on particle simulation, rather than digitisation or reconstruction. Here, we present the current status of the MoEDAL simulation software. Specifically, the development of a material description of the detector and simulations of monopole production and propagation at MoEDAL.

Laser-based fast-neutron spectroscopy (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pomerantz, Ishay; Kishon, Itay; Kleinschmidt, Annika; Schanz, Victor A.; Tebartz, Alexandra; Fernández, Juan Carlos; Gautier, Donald C.; Johnson, Randall Philip; Shimada, Tsutomu; Wurden, Glen Anthony; Roth, Markus

2017-05-01

Great progress has been made in recent years in realizing compact, laser-based neutron generators. These devices, however, are inapplicable for conducting energy-resolved fast-neutron radiography because of the electromagnetic noise produced by the interaction of a strong laser field with matter. To overcome this limitation, we developed a novel neutron time-of-flight detector, largely immune to electromagnetic noise. The detector is based on plastic scintillator, only a few mm in size, which is coupled to a silicon photo-multiplier by a long optical fiber. I will present results we obtained at the Trident Laser Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory during the summer of 2016. Using this detector, we recorded high resolution, low-background fast neutron spectra generated by the interaction of laser accelerated deuterons with Beryllium. The quality of these spectra was sufficient to resolve the unique neutron absorption spectra of different elements and thus it is the first demonstration of laser-based fast neutron spectroscopy. I will discuss how this achievement paves the way to realizing compact neutron radiography systems for research, security, and commercial applications.

A fast event preprocessor for the Simbol-X Low-Energy Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schanz, T.; Tenzer, C.; Kendziorra, E.; Santangelo, A.

2008-07-01

The Simbol-X1 Low Energy Detector (LED), a 128 × 128 pixel DEPFET array, will be read out very fast (8000 frames/second). This requires a very fast onboard data preprocessing of the raw data. We present an FPGA based Event Preprocessor (EPP) which can fulfill this requirements. The design is developed in the hardware description language VHDL and can be later ported on an ASIC technology. The EPP performs a pixel related offset correction and can apply different energy thresholds to each pixel of the frame. It also provides a line related common-mode correction to reduce noise that is unavoidably caused by the analog readout chip of the DEPFET. An integrated pattern detector can block all invalid pixel patterns. The EPP has an internal pipeline structure and can perform all operation in realtime (< 2 μs per line of 64 pixel) with a base clock frequency of 100 MHz. It is utilizing a fast median-value detection algorithm for common-mode correction and a new pattern scanning algorithm to select only valid events. Both new algorithms were developed during the last year at our institute.

A SPECT system simulator built on the SolidWorks TM 3D-Design package.

PubMed

Li, Xin; Furenlid, Lars R

2014-08-17

We have developed a GPU-accelerated SPECT system simulator that integrates into instrument-design workflow [1]. This simulator includes a gamma-ray tracing module that can rapidly propagate gamma-ray photons through arbitrary apertures modeled by SolidWorks TM -created stereolithography (.STL) representations with a full complement of physics cross sections [2, 3]. This software also contains a scintillation detector simulation module that can model a scintillation detector with arbitrary scintillation crystal shape and light-sensor arrangement. The gamma-ray tracing module enables us to efficiently model aperture and detector crystals in SolidWorks TM and save them as STL file format, then load the STL-format model into this module to generate list-mode results of interacted gamma-ray photon information (interaction positions and energies) inside the detector crystals. The Monte-Carlo scintillation detector simulation module enables us to simulate how scintillation photons get reflected, refracted and absorbed inside a scintillation detector, which contributes to more accurate simulation of a SPECT system.

A SPECT system simulator built on the SolidWorksTM 3D design package

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xin; Furenlid, Lars R.

2014-09-01

We have developed a GPU-accelerated SPECT system simulator that integrates into instrument-design work flow [1]. This simulator includes a gamma-ray tracing module that can rapidly propagate gamma-ray photons through arbitrary apertures modeled by SolidWorksTM-created stereolithography (.STL) representations with a full com- plement of physics cross sections [2, 3]. This software also contains a scintillation detector simulation module that can model a scintillation detector with arbitrary scintillation crystal shape and light-sensor arrangement. The gamma-ray tracing module enables us to efficiently model aperture and detector crystals in SolidWorksTM and save them as STL file format, then load the STL-format model into this module to generate list-mode results of interacted gamma-ray photon information (interaction positions and energies) inside the detector crystals. The Monte-Carlo scintillation detector simulation module enables us to simulate how scintillation photons get reflected, refracted and absorbed inside a scintillation detector, which contributes to more accurate simulation of a SPECT system.

The Application of SNiPER to the JUNO Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Tao; Zou, Jiaheng; Li, Weidong; Deng, Ziyan; Fang, Xiao; Cao, Guofu; Huang, Xingtao; You, Zhengyun; JUNO Collaboration

2017-10-01

The JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory) is a multipurpose neutrino experiment which is designed to determine neutrino mass hierarchy and precisely measure oscillation parameters. As one of the important systems, the JUNO offline software is being developed using the SNiPER software. In this proceeding, we focus on the requirements of JUNO simulation and present the working solution based on the SNiPER. The JUNO simulation framework is in charge of managing event data, detector geometries and materials, physics processes, simulation truth information etc. It glues physics generator, detector simulation and electronics simulation modules together to achieve a full simulation chain. In the implementation of the framework, many attractive characteristics of the SNiPER have been used, such as dynamic loading, flexible flow control, multiple event management and Python binding. Furthermore, additional efforts have been made to make both detector and electronics simulation flexible enough to accommodate and optimize different detector designs. For the Geant4-based detector simulation, each sub-detector component is implemented as a SNiPER tool which is a dynamically loadable and configurable plugin. So it is possible to select the detector configuration at runtime. The framework provides the event loop to drive the detector simulation and interacts with the Geant4 which is implemented as a passive service. All levels of user actions are wrapped into different customizable tools, so that user functions can be easily extended by just adding new tools. The electronics simulation has been implemented by following an event driven scheme. The SNiPER task component is used to simulate data processing steps in the electronics modules. The electronics and trigger are synchronized by triggered events containing possible physics signals. The JUNO simulation software has been released and is being used by the JUNO collaboration to do detector design optimization, event reconstruction algorithm development and physics sensitivity studies.

Self powered neutron detectors as in-core detectors for Sodium-cooled Fast Reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, V.; Barbot, L.; Filliatre, P.; Hellesen, C.; Jammes, C.; Svärd, S. Jacobsson

2017-07-01

Neutron flux monitoring system forms an integral part of the design of a Generation IV sodium cooled fast reactor. Diverse possibilities of detector system installation must be studied for various locations in the reactor vessel in order to detect any perturbations in the core. Results from a previous paper indicated that it is possible to detect changes in neutron source distribution initiated by an inadvertent withdrawal of outer control rod with in-vessel fission chambers located azimuthally around the core. It is, however, not possible to follow inner control rod withdrawal and precisely know the location of the perturbation in the core. Hence the use of complimentary in-core detectors coupled with the peripheral fission chambers is proposed to enable robust core monitoring across the radial direction. In this paper, we assess the feasibility of using self-powered neutron detectors (SPNDs) as in-core detectors in fast reactors for detecting local changes in the power distribution when the reactor is operated at nominal power. We study the neutron and gamma contributions to the total output current of the detector modelled with Platinum as the emitter material. It is shown that this SPND placed in an SFR-like environment would give a sufficiently measurable prompt neutron induced current of the order of 600 nA/m. The corresponding induced current in the connecting cable is two orders of magnitude lower and can be neglected. This means that the SPND can follow in-core power fluctuations. This validates the operability of an SPND in an SFR-like environment.

Simulation of radiation environment for the LHeC detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nayaz, Abdullah; Piliçer, Ercan; Joya, Musa

2017-02-01

The detector response and simulation of radiation environment for the Large Hadron electron Collider (LHeC) baseline detector is estimated to predict its performance over the lifetime of the project. In this work, the geometry of the LHeC detector, as reported in LHeC Conceptual Design Report (CDR), built in FLUKA Monte Carlo tool in order to simulate the detector response and radiation environment. For this purpose, events of electrons and protons with high enough energy were sent isotropically from interaction point of the detector. As a result, the detector response and radiation background for the LHeC detector, with different USRBIN code (ENERGY, HADGT20M, ALL-CHAR, ALL-PAR) in FLUKA, are presented.

Gas amplified ionization detector for gas chromatography

DOEpatents

Huston, Gregg C.

1992-01-01

A gas-amplified ionization detector for gas chromatrography which possesses increased sensitivity and a very fast response time. Solutes eluding from a gas chromatographic column are ionized by UV photoionization of matter eluting therefrom. The detector is capable of generating easily measured voltage signals by gas amplification/multiplication of electron products resulting from the UV photoionization of at least a portion of each solute passing through the detector.

Indoor Fast Neutron Generator for Biophysical and Electronic Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cannuli, A.; Caccamo, M. T.; Marchese, N.; Tomarchio, E. A.; Pace, C.; Magazù, S.

2018-05-01

This study focuses the attention on an indoor fast neutron generator for biophysical and electronic applications. More specifically, the findings obtained by several simulations with the MCNP Monte Carlo code, necessary for the realization of a shield for indoor measurements, are presented. Furthermore, an evaluation of the neutron spectrum modification caused by the shielding is reported. Fast neutron generators are a valid and interesting available source of neutrons, increasingly employed in a wide range of research fields, such as science and engineering. The employed portable pulsed neutron source is a MP320 Thermo Scientific neutron generator, able to generate 2.5 MeV neutrons with a neutron yield of 2.0 x 106 n/s, a pulse rate of 250 Hz to 20 KHz and a duty factor varying from 5% to 100%. The neutron generator, based on Deuterium-Deuterium nuclear fusion reactions, is employed in conjunction with a solid-state photon detector, made of n-type high-purity germanium (PINS-GMX by ORTEC) and it is mainly addressed to biophysical and electronic studies. The present study showed a proposal for the realization of a shield necessary for indoor applications for MP320 neutron generator, with a particular analysis of the transport of neutrons simulated with Monte Carlo code and described the two main lines of research in which the source will be used.

Fast neutron measurements with 7Li and 6Li enriched CLYC scintillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giaz, A.; Blasi, N.; Boiano, C.; Brambilla, S.; Camera, F.; Cattadori, C.; Ceruti, S.; Gramegna, F.; Marchi, T.; Mattei, I.; Mentana, A.; Million, B.; Pellegri, L.; Rebai, M.; Riboldi, S.; Salamida, F.; Tardocchi, M.

2016-07-01

The recently developed Cs2LiYCl6:Ce (CLYC) crystals are interesting scintillation detectors not only for their gamma energy resolution (<5% at 662 keV) but also for their capability to identify and measure the energy of both gamma rays and fast/thermal neutrons. The thermal neutrons were detected by the 6Li(n,α)t reaction while for the fast neutrons the 35Cl(n,p)35S and 35Cl(n,α)32P neutron-capture reactions were exploited. The energy of the outgoing proton or α particle scales linearly with the incident neutron energy. The kinetic energy of the fast neutrons can be measured using both the Time Of Flight (TOF) technique and using the CLYC energy signal. In this work, the response to monochromatic fast neutrons (1.9-3.8 MeV) of two CLYC 1″×1″ crystals was measured using both the TOF and the energy signal. The observables were combined to identify fast neutrons, to subtract the thermal neutron background and to identify different fast neutron-capture reactions on 35Cl, in other words to understand if the detected particle is an α or a proton. We performed a dedicated measurement at the CN accelerator facility of the INFN Legnaro National Laboratories (Italy), where the fast neutrons were produced by impinging a proton beam (4.5, 5.0 and 5.5 MeV) on a 7LiF target. We tested a CLYC detector 6Li-enriched at about 95%, which is ideal for thermal neutron measurements, in parallel with another CLYC detector 7Li-enriched at more than 99%, which is suitable for fast neutron measurements.

The Vertical Distribution of Buried Volatiles at the Moon revealed by Thermal and Epithermal Neutron Fluxes from LEND Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chin, G.; Sagdeev, R.; Su, J. J.; Murray, J.; Livengood, T. A.

2015-12-01

Determining the quantity and vertical distribution of volatile species on and below the surface of planetary bodies is vital to understand the primordial chemical inventory and subsequent evolution of planets. Volatiles may provide resources to support future human exploration. This is particularly true for the Moon, which is well observed by many methods from ground-based, lunar orbit, and in situ, and is an accessible destination or way station for human exploration. We present Geant4 models of relative fluxes of Fast, Epithermal, and Thermal neutron emission generated in a planetary regolith by galactic cosmic rays to reveal the first 1-2 meters vertical structure of embedded hydrogen or water. Varying ratios of Thermal versus Epithermal, low-energy-Epithermal versus high-energy-Epithermal, and Thermal versus Fast neutron emissions are diagnostics of the depth in which hydrogen/water layers are buried within the top 1-2 meters of the regolith. In addition, we apply model calculations to Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) thermal and epithermal data, acquired on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), in specific regions of the Moon to retrieve the vertical distribution of buried ice from the remote sensing information. GEANT4 is a set of particle physics transport simulation codes that exploits object-oriented software methods to deliver a comprehensive and flexible toolkit that is modular and extensible, based on a free open-source development model. GEANT4 has become a standard tool to simulate applications as diverse as particle telescope and detector response, space radiation shielding and optimization, total ionizing dose in spacecraft components, and biological effects of radiation.

Ionization signals from diamond detectors in fast-neutron fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weiss, C.; Frais-Kölbl, H.; Griesmayer, E.; Kavrigin, P.

2016-09-01

In this paper we introduce a novel analysis technique for measurements with single-crystal chemical vapor deposition (sCVD) diamond detectors in fast-neutron fields. This method exploits the unique electronic property of sCVD diamond sensors that the signal shape of the detector current is directly proportional to the initial ionization profile. In fast-neutron fields the diamond sensor acts simultaneously as target and sensor. The interaction of neutrons with the stable isotopes 12 C and 13 C is of interest for fast-neutron diagnostics. The measured signal shapes of detector current pulses are used to identify individual types of interactions in the diamond with the goal to select neutron-induced reactions in the diamond and to suppress neutron-induced background reactions as well as γ-background. The method is verified with experimental data from a measurement in a 14.3 MeV neutron beam at JRC-IRMM, Geel/Belgium, where the 13C(n, α)10Be reaction was successfully extracted from the dominating background of recoil protons and γ-rays and the energy resolution of the 12C(n, α)9Be reaction was substantially improved. The presented analysis technique is especially relevant for diagnostics in harsh radiation environments, like fission and fusion reactors. It allows to extract the neutron spectrum from the background, and is particularly applicable to neutron flux monitoring and neutron spectroscopy.

Liquefied Noble Gas (LNG) detectors for detection of nuclear materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikkel, J. A.; Gozani, T.; Brown, C.; Kwong, J.; McKinsey, D. N.; Shin, Y.; Kane, S.; Gary, C.; Firestone, M.

2012-03-01

Liquefied-noble-gas (LNG) detectors offer, in principle, very good energy resolution for both neutrons and gamma rays, fast response time (hence high-count-rate capabilities), excellent discrimination between neutrons and gamma rays, and scalability to large volumes. They do, however, need cryogenics. LNG detectors in sizes of interest for fissionable material detection in cargo are reaching a certain level of maturity because of the ongoing extensive R&}D effort in high-energy physics regarding their use in the search for dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay. The unique properties of LNG detectors, especially those using Liquid Argon (LAr) and Liquid Xenon (LXe), call for a study to determine their suitability for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) for Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) and possibly for other threats in cargo. Rapiscan Systems Laboratory, Yale University Physics Department, and Adelphi Technology are collaborating in the investigation of the suitability of LAr as a scintillation material for large size inspection systems for air and maritime containers and trucks. This program studies their suitability for NII, determines their potential uses, determines what improvements in performance they offer and recommends changes to their design to further enhance their suitability. An existing 3.1 liter LAr detector (microCLEAN) at Yale University, developed for R&}D on the detection of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) was employed for testing. A larger version of this detector (15 liters), more suitable for the detection of higher energy gamma rays and neutrons is being built for experimental evaluation. Results of measurements and simulations of gamma ray and neutron detection in microCLEAN and a larger detector (326 liter CL38) are presented.

Towards an Optimal Interest Point Detector for Measurements in Ultrasound Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zukal, Martin; Beneš, Radek; Číka, Petr; Říha, Kamil

2013-12-01

This paper focuses on the comparison of different interest point detectors and their utilization for measurements in ultrasound (US) images. Certain medical examinations are based on speckle tracking which strongly relies on features that can be reliably tracked frame to frame. Only significant features (interest points) resistant to noise and brightness changes within US images are suitable for accurate long-lasting tracking. We compare three interest point detectors - Harris-Laplace, Difference of Gaussian (DoG) and Fast Hessian - and identify the most suitable one for use in US images on the basis of an objective criterion. Repeatability rate is assumed to be an objective quality measure for comparison. We have measured repeatability in images corrupted by different types of noise (speckle noise, Gaussian noise) and for changes in brightness. The Harris-Laplace detector outperformed its competitors and seems to be a sound option when choosing a suitable interest point detector for US images. However, it has to be noted that Fast Hessian and DoG detectors achieved better results in terms of processing speed.

A LYSO crystal array readout by silicon photomultipliers as compact detector for space applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kryemadhi, A.; Barner, L.; Grove, A.

Precise measurements of GeV range gamma rays help narrow down among var- ious gamma emission models and increase sensitivity for dark matter searches. Construction of precise as well as compact instruments requires detectors with high efficiency, high stopping power, excellent energy resolution, and excellent angular resolution. Fast and bright crystal scintillators coupled with small foot- print photo-detectors are suitable candidates. We prototyped a detector array consisting of four LYSO crystals where each crystal is read out by a 2x2 SensL ArrayJ60035 silicon photomultipliers. The LYSO crystals were chosen because of their good light yield, fast decay time, demonstrated radiation hardness,more » and small radiation length. Here, we used the silicon photomultiplier arrays as photo- detectors because of their small size, simple readout, low voltage operation, and immunity to magnetic elds. We also studied the detector performance in the energy range of interest by exposing it to 2-16 GeV particles produced at the Test Beam Facility of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.« less

High-sensitivity fast neutron detector KNK-2-7M

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Koshelev, A. S., E-mail: alexsander.coshelev@yandex.ru; Dovbysh, L. Ye.; Ovchinnikov, M. A.

2015-12-15

The construction of the fast neutron detector KNK-2-7M is briefly described. The results of the study of the detector in the pulse-counting mode are given for the fissions of {sup 237}Np nuclei in the radiator of the neutron-sensitive section and in the current mode with the separation of sectional currents of functional sections. The possibilities of determining the effective number of {sup 237}Np nuclei in the radiator of the neutronsensitive section are considered. The diagnostic possibilities of the detector in the counting mode are shown by example of the analysis of the reference data from the neutron-field characteristics in themore » working hall of the BR-K1 reactor. The diagnostic possibilities of the detector in the current operating mode are shown by example of the results of measuring the {sup 237}Np-fission intensity in the BR-K1 reactor power start-ups implemented in the mode of fission-pulse generation on delayed neutrons at the detector arrangement inside the reactor core cavity under conditions of a wide variation of the reactor radiation field.« less

A LYSO crystal array readout by silicon photomultipliers as compact detector for space applications

DOE PAGES

Kryemadhi, A.; Barner, L.; Grove, A.; ...

2017-10-31

Precise measurements of GeV range gamma rays help narrow down among var- ious gamma emission models and increase sensitivity for dark matter searches. Construction of precise as well as compact instruments requires detectors with high efficiency, high stopping power, excellent energy resolution, and excellent angular resolution. Fast and bright crystal scintillators coupled with small foot- print photo-detectors are suitable candidates. We prototyped a detector array consisting of four LYSO crystals where each crystal is read out by a 2x2 SensL ArrayJ60035 silicon photomultipliers. The LYSO crystals were chosen because of their good light yield, fast decay time, demonstrated radiation hardness,more » and small radiation length. Here, we used the silicon photomultiplier arrays as photo- detectors because of their small size, simple readout, low voltage operation, and immunity to magnetic elds. We also studied the detector performance in the energy range of interest by exposing it to 2-16 GeV particles produced at the Test Beam Facility of Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.« less

Combining endoscopic ultrasound with Time-Of-Flight PET: The EndoTOFPET-US Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frisch, Benjamin

2013-12-01

The EndoTOFPET-US collaboration develops a multimodal imaging technique for endoscopic exams of the pancreas or the prostate. It combines the benefits of high resolution metabolic imaging with Time-Of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography (TOF PET) and anatomical imaging with ultrasound (US). EndoTOFPET-US consists of a PET head extension for a commercial US endoscope and a PET plate outside the body in coincidence with the head. The high level of miniaturization and integration creates challenges in fields such as scintillating crystals, ultra-fast photo-detection, highly integrated electronics, system integration and image reconstruction. Amongst the developments, fast scintillators as well as fast and compact digital SiPMs with single SPAD readout are used to obtain the best coincidence time resolution (CTR). Highly integrated ASICs and DAQ electronics contribute to the timing performances of EndoTOFPET. In view of the targeted resolution of around 1 mm in the reconstructed image, we present a prototype detector system with a CTR better than 240 ps FWHM. We discuss the challenges in simulating such a system and introduce reconstruction algorithms based on graphics processing units (GPU).

6.2-GHz modulated terahertz light detection using fast terahertz quantum well photodetectors.

PubMed

Li, Hua; Wan, Wen-Jian; Tan, Zhi-Yong; Fu, Zhang-Long; Wang, Hai-Xia; Zhou, Tao; Li, Zi-Ping; Wang, Chang; Guo, Xu-Guang; Cao, Jun-Cheng

2017-06-14

The fast detection of terahertz radiation is of great importance for various applications such as fast imaging, high speed communications, and spectroscopy. Most commercial products capable of sensitively responding the terahertz radiation are thermal detectors, i.e., pyroelectric sensors and bolometers. This class of terahertz detectors is normally characterized by low modulation frequency (dozens or hundreds of Hz). Here we demonstrate the first fast semiconductor-based terahertz quantum well photodetectors by carefully designing the device structure and microwave transmission line for high frequency signal extraction. Modulation response bandwidth of gigahertz level is obtained. As an example, the 6.2-GHz modulated terahertz light emitted from a Fabry-Pérot terahertz quantum cascade laser is successfully detected using the fast terahertz quantum well photodetector. In addition to the fast terahertz detection, the technique presented in this work can also be used for optically characterizing the frequency stability of terahertz quantum cascade lasers, heterodyne detections and photomixing applications.

A novel approach to Hough Transform for implementation in fast triggers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pozzobon, Nicola; Montecassiano, Fabio; Zotto, Pierluigi

2016-10-01

Telescopes of position sensitive detectors are common layouts in charged particles tracking, and programmable logic devices, such as FPGAs, represent a viable choice for the real-time reconstruction of track segments in such detector arrays. A compact implementation of the Hough Transform for fast triggers in High Energy Physics, exploiting a parameter reduction method, is proposed, targeting the reduction of the needed storage or computing resources in current, or next future, state-of-the-art FPGA devices, while retaining high resolution over a wide range of track parameters. The proposed approach is compared to a Standard Hough Transform with particular emphasis on their application to muon detectors. In both cases, an original readout implementation is modeled.

Thermal imager sources of non-uniformities: modeling of static and dynamic contributions during operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sozzi, B.; Olivieri, M.; Mariani, P.; Giunti, C.; Zatti, S.; Porta, A.

2014-05-01

Due to the fast-growing of cooled detector sensitivity in the last years, on the image 10-20 mK temperature difference between adjacent objects can theoretically be discerned if the calibration algorithm (NUC) is capable to take into account and compensate every spatial noise source. To predict how the NUC algorithm is strong in all working condition, the modeling of the flux impinging on the detector becomes a challenge to control and improve the quality of a properly calibrated image in all scene/ambient conditions including every source of spurious signal. In literature there are just available papers dealing with NU caused by pixel-to-pixel differences of detector parameters and by the difference between the reflection of the detector cold part and the housing at the operative temperature. These models don't explain the effects on the NUC results due to vignetting, dynamic sources out and inside the FOV, reflected contributions from hot spots inside the housing (for example thermal reference far of the optical path). We propose a mathematical model in which: 1) detector and system (opto-mechanical configuration and scene) are considered separated and represented by two independent transfer functions 2) on every pixel of the array the amount of photonic signal coming from different spurious sources are considered to evaluate the effect on residual spatial noise due to dynamic operative conditions. This article also contains simulation results showing how this model can be used to predict the amount of spatial noise.

Comparing performances of a CdTe X-ray spectroscopic detector and an X-ray dual-energy sandwich detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorecki, A.; Brambilla, A.; Moulin, V.; Gaborieau, E.; Radisson, P.; Verger, L.

2013-11-01

Multi-energy (ME) detectors are becoming a serious alternative to classical dual-energy sandwich (DE-S) detectors for X-ray applications such as medical imaging or explosive detection. They can use the full X-ray spectrum of irradiated materials, rather than disposing only of low and high energy measurements, which may be mixed. In this article, we intend to compare both simulated and real industrial detection systems, operating at a high count rate, independently of the dimensions of the measurements and independently of any signal processing methods. Simulations or prototypes of similar detectors have already been compared (see [1] for instance), but never independently of estimation methods and never with real detectors. We have simulated both an ME detector made of CdTe - based on the characteristics of the MultiX ME100 and - a DE-S detector - based on the characteristics of the Detection Technology's X-Card 1.5-64DE model. These detectors were compared to a perfect spectroscopic detector and an optimal DE-S detector. For comparison purposes, two approaches were investigated. The first approach addresses how to distinguise signals, while the second relates to identifying materials. Performance criteria were defined and comparisons were made over a range of material thicknesses and with different photon statistics. Experimental measurements in a specific configuration were acquired to checks simulations. Results showed good agreement between the ME simulation and the ME100 detector. Both criteria seem to be equivalent, and the ME detector performs 3.5 times better than the DE-S detector with same photon statistics based on simulations and experimental measurements. Regardless of the photon statistics ME detectors appeared more efficient than DE-S detectors for all material thicknesses between 1 and 9 cm when measuring plastics with an attenuation signature close that of explosive materials. This translates into an improved false detection rate (FDR): DE-S detectors have an FDR 2.87±0.03-fold higher than ME detectors for 4 cm of POM with 20 000 incident photons, when identifications are screened against a two-material base.

Expected count rate for the Self- Interrogation Neutron Resonance Densitometry measurements of spent nuclear fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rossa, Riccardo; Universite libre de Bruxelles, Ecole polytechnique de Bruxelles - Service de Metrologie Nucleaire, CP 165/84, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt, 50 - B1050 Brussels; Borella, Alessandro

The Self-Interrogation Neutron Resonance Densitometry (SINRD) is a passive neutron technique that aims at a direct quantification of {sup 239}Pu in the fuel assemblies by measuring the attenuation of the neutron flux in the energy region close to the 0.3 eV resonance of {sup 239}Pu. The {sup 239}Pu mass is estimated by calculating the SINRD signature, that is the ratio between the neutron flux integrated over the fast energy region and around the 0.3 eV resonance region. The SINRD measurement approach considered in this study consists in introducing a small neutron detector in the central guide tube of a PWRmore » 17x17 fuel assembly. In order to measure the neutron flux in the energy regions defined in the SINRD signature, different detector types are used. The response of a bare {sup 238}U fission chamber is considered for the determination of the fast neutron flux, while other thermal-epithermal detectors wrapped in neutron absorbers are envisaged to measure the neutron flux around the resonance region. This paper provides an estimation of the count rate that can be achieved with the detector types proposed for the SINRD measurement. In the first section a set of detectors are evaluated in terms of count rate and sensitivity to the {sup 239}Pu content, in order to identify the optimal measurement configuration for each detector type. Then a study is performed to increase the count rate by increasing the detector size. The study shows that the highest count rate is achieved by using either {sup 3}He or {sup 10}B proportional counters because of the high neutron efficiency of these detectors. However, the calculations indicate that the biggest contribution to the measurement uncertainty is due to the measurement of the fast neutron flux. Finally, similar sensitivity to the {sup 239}Pu content is obtained by using the different detector types for the measurement of the neutron flux close to the resonance region. Therefore, the count rate associated to each detector type will play a major role in the selection of the detector types used for the SINRD measurement. (authors)« less

A method for the topographical identification and quantification of high frequency oscillations in intracranial electroencephalography recordings

PubMed Central

Waldman, Zachary J.; Shimamoto, Shoichi; Song, Inkyung; Orosz, Iren; Bragin, Anatol; Fried, Itzhak; Engel, Jerome; Staba, Richard; Sperling, Michael R.; Weiss, Shennan A.

2018-01-01

Objective To develop a reliable software method using a topographic analysis of time-frequency plots to distinguish ripple (80–200 Hz) oscillations that are often associated with EEG sharp waves or spikes (RonS) from sinusoid-like waveforms that appear as ripples but correspond with digital filtering of sharp transients contained in the wide bandwidth EEG. Methods A custom algorithm distinguished true from false ripples in one second intracranial EEG (iEEG) recordings using wavelet convolution, identifying contours of isopower, and categorizing these contours into sets of open or closed loop groups. The spectral and temporal features of candidate groups were used to classify the ripple, and determine its duration, frequency, and power. Verification of detector accuracy was performed on the basis of simulations, and visual inspection of the original and band-pass filtered signals. Results The detector could distinguish simulated true from false ripple on spikes (RonS). Among 2934 visually verified trials of iEEG recordings and spectrograms exhibiting RonS the accuracy of the detector was 88.5% with a sensitivity of 81.8% and a specificity of 95.2%. The precision was 94.5% and the negative predictive value was 84.0% (N = 12). Among, 1,370 trials of iEEG recording exhibiting RonS that were reviewed blindly without spectrograms the accuracy of the detector was 68.0%, with kappa equal to 0.01 ± 0.03. The detector successfully distinguished ripple from high spectral frequency ‘fast ripple’ oscillations (200–600 Hz), and characterize ripple duration and spectral frequency and power. The detector was confounded by brief bursts of gamma (30–80 Hz) activity in 7.31 ± 6.09% of trials, and in 30.2 ± 14.4% of the true RonS detections ripple duration was underestimated. Conclusions Characterizing the topographic features of a time-frequency plot generated by wavelet convolution is useful for distinguishing true oscillations from false oscillations generated by filter ringing. Significance Categorizing ripple oscillations and characterizing their properties can improve the clinical utility of the biomarker. PMID:29122445

Micro-scale characterization of a CMOS-based neutron detector for in-phantom measurements in radiation therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arbor, Nicolas; Higueret, Stephane; Husson, Daniel

2018-04-01

The CMOS sensor AlphaRad has been designed at the IPHC Strasbourg for real-time monitoring of fast and thermal neutrons over a full energy spectrum. Completely integrated, highly transparent to photons and optimized for low power consumption, this sensor offers very interesting characteristics for the study of internal neutrons in radiation therapy with anthropomorphic phantoms. However, specific effects related to the CMOS metal substructure and to the charge collection process of low energy particles must be carefully estimated before being used for medical applications. We present a detailed characterization of the AlphaRad chip in the MeV energy range using proton and alpha micro-beam experiments performed at the AIFIRA facility (CENBG, Bordeaux). Two-dimensional maps of the charge collection were carried out on a micro-metric scale to be integrated into a Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation of the system. The gamma rejection, as well as the fast and thermal neutrons separation, were studied using both simulation and experimental data. The results highlight the potential of a future system based on CMOS sensor for in-phantom neutron detection in radiation therapies.

NASA Tech Briefs, March 2005

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

Topics covered include: Scheme for Entering Binary Data Into a Quantum Computer; Encryption for Remote Control via Internet or Intranet; Coupled Receiver/Decoders for Low-Rate Turbo Codes; Processing GPS Occultation Data To Characterize Atmosphere; Displacing Unpredictable Nulls in Antenna Radiation Patterns; Integrated Pointing and Signal Detector for Optical Receiver; Adaptive Thresholding and Parameter Estimation for PPM; Data-Driven Software Framework for Web-Based ISS Telescience; Software for Secondary-School Learning About Robotics; Fuzzy Logic Engine; Telephone-Directory Program; Simulating a Direction-Finder Search for an ELT; Formulating Precursors for Coating Metals and Ceramics; Making Macroscopic Assemblies of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes; Ball Bearings Equipped for In Situ Lubrication on Demand; Synthetic Bursae for Robots; Robot Forearm and Dexterous Hand; Making a Metal-Lined Composite-Overwrapped Pressure Vessel; Ex Vivo Growth of Bioengineered Ligaments and Other Tissues; Stroboscopic Goggles for Reduction of Motion Sickness; Articulating Support for Horizontal Resistive Exercise; Modified Penning-Malmberg Trap for Storing Antiprotons; Tumbleweed Rovers; Two-Photon Fluorescence Microscope for Microgravity Research; Biased Randomized Algorithm for Fast Model-Based Diagnosis; Fast Algorithms for Model-Based Diagnosis; Simulations of Evaporating Multicomponent Fuel Drops; Formation Flying of Tethered and Nontethered Spacecraft; and Two Methods for Efficient Solution of the Hitting- Set Problem.

Results from E ∥B Neutral Particle Analyzer and Calibration Ion Beam System on C-2U

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clary, Ryan; Roquemore, A.; Kolmogorov, A.; Ivanov, A.; Korepanov, S.; Magee, R.; Medley, S.; Smirnov, A.; Tiunov, M.; TAE Team

2015-11-01

C-2U is a a high-confinement, advanced beam driven FRC which aims to sustain the configuration for > 5 ms, in excess of typical MHD and fast particle instability times, as well as fast particle slowing down times. Fast particle dynamics are critical to C-2U performance and several diagnostics have been deployed to characterize the fast particle population, including neutron and proton detectors, an electrostatic neutral particle analyzer, and neutral particle bolometers. To increase our understanding of fast particle behavior and supplement existing diagnostics an E ∥B NPA was acquired from PPPL which simultaneously measures H0 and D0 flux between 2 and 22 keV with high energy resolution. In addition, a small, high purity, ion beam system has been constructed and tested to calibrate absolutely fast particle detectors. Here we report results of measurements from the E ∥B analyzer on C-2U and inferred fast particle behavior, as well as the status of the calibration ion beam system.

Fast, Low-Power, Hysteretic Level-Detector Circuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arditti, Mordechai

1993-01-01

Circuit for detection of preset levels of voltage or current intended to replace standard fast voltage comparator. Hysteretic analog/digital level detector operates at unusually low power with little sacrifice of speed. Comprises low-power analog circuit and complementary metal oxide/semiconductor (CMOS) digital circuit connected in overall closed feedback loop to decrease rise and fall times, provide hysteresis, and trip-level control. Contains multiple subloops combining linear and digital feedback. Levels of sensed signals and hysteresis level easily adjusted by selection of components to suit specific application.

Fast Solar-Blind AlGaN/GaN 2DEG UV detector with Transparent Graphene Electrode

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

graphene and 2D electron gas (2DEG). With introducing the graphene, photo-carriers separated by the polarization electric field of the AlGaN are...photodiodes, due to the strong intrinsic polarization effect of AlGaN. More than 105 of high signal to noise ratio of the UV detectors with fast...intrinsic polarization field vertically inside the AlGaN, the holes and electrons will travel in their shortest paths to graphene and 2DEG

Simulation of image detectors in radiology for determination of scatter-to-primary ratios using Monte Carlo radiation transport code MCNP/MCNPX.

PubMed

Smans, Kristien; Zoetelief, Johannes; Verbrugge, Beatrijs; Haeck, Wim; Struelens, Lara; Vanhavere, Filip; Bosmans, Hilde

2010-05-01

The purpose of this study was to compare and validate three methods to simulate radiographic image detectors with the Monte Carlo software MCNP/MCNPX in a time efficient way. The first detector model was the standard semideterministic radiography tally, which has been used in previous image simulation studies. Next to the radiography tally two alternative stochastic detector models were developed: A perfect energy integrating detector and a detector based on the energy absorbed in the detector material. Validation of three image detector models was performed by comparing calculated scatter-to-primary ratios (SPRs) with the published and experimentally acquired SPR values. For mammographic applications, SPRs computed with the radiography tally were up to 44% larger than the published results, while the SPRs computed with the perfect energy integrating detectors and the blur-free absorbed energy detector model were, on the average, 0.3% (ranging from -3% to 3%) and 0.4% (ranging from -5% to 5%) lower, respectively. For general radiography applications, the radiography tally overestimated the measured SPR by as much as 46%. The SPRs calculated with the perfect energy integrating detectors were, on the average, 4.7% (ranging from -5.3% to -4%) lower than the measured SPRs, whereas for the blur-free absorbed energy detector model, the calculated SPRs were, on the average, 1.3% (ranging from -0.1% to 2.4%) larger than the measured SPRs. For mammographic applications, both the perfect energy integrating detector model and the blur-free energy absorbing detector model can be used to simulate image detectors, whereas for conventional x-ray imaging using higher energies, the blur-free energy absorbing detector model is the most appropriate image detector model. The radiography tally overestimates the scattered part and should therefore not be used to simulate radiographic image detectors.

Optimization of Single-Sided Charge-Sharing Strip Detectors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamel, L.A.; Benoit, M.; Donmez, B.; Macri, J. R.; McConnell, M. L.; Ryan, J. M.; Narita, T.

2006-01-01

Simulation of the charge sharing properties of single-sided CZT strip detectors with small anode pads are presented. The effect of initial event size, carrier repulsion, diffusion, drift, trapping and detrapping are considered. These simulations indicate that such a detector with a 150 m pitch will provide good charge sharing between neighboring pads. This is supported by a comparison of simulations and measurements for a similar detector with a coarser pitch of 225 m that could not provide sufficient sharing. The performance of such a detector used as a gamma-ray imager is discussed.

Top-tagging at the energy frontier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Zhenyu; Son, Minho; Tweedie, Brock

2018-02-01

At proposed future hadron colliders and in the coming years at the LHC, top quarks will be produced at genuinely multi-TeV energies. Top-tagging at such high energies forces us to confront several new issues in terms of detector capabilities and jet physics. Here, we explore these issues in the context of some simple JHU/CMS-type declustering algorithms and the N -subjettiness jet-shape variable τ32. We first highlight the complementarity between the two tagging approaches at particle level with respect to discriminating top-jets against gluons and quarks, using multivariate optimization scans. We then introduce a basic fast detector simulation, including electromagnetic calorimeter showering patterns determined from GEANT. We consider a number of tricks for processing the fast detector output back to an approximate particle-level picture. Re-optimizing the tagger parameters, we demonstrate that the inevitable losses in discrimination power at very high energies can typically be ameliorated. For example, percent-scale mistag rates might be maintained even in extreme cases where an entire top decay would sit inside of one hadronic calorimeter cell and tracking information is completely absent. We then study three novel physics effects that will come up in the multi-TeV energy regime: gluon radiation off of boosted top quarks, mistags originating from g →t t ¯ , and mistags originating from q →(W /Z )q collinear electroweak splittings with subsequent hadronic decays. The first effect, while nominally a nuisance, can actually be harnessed to slightly improve discrimination against gluons. The second effect can lead to effective O (1 ) enhancements of gluon mistag rates for tight working points. And the third effect, while conceptually interesting, we show to be of highly subleading importance at all energies.

Search for thj production with h → γγ at the LHC in the littlest Higgs model with T-parity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Bingfang; Hou, Biaofeng; Zhang, Huaying

2018-04-01

In the littlest Higgs model with T-parity, we study associated production of a Higgs and a single top quark at the 14 TeV LHC. We focus on the Higgs to two photons decay and the semileptonic top decay channel. By performing a fast detector simulation, we find that the thj search in the selected channel can excluded the top partner mass mT+ up to 805 (857) GeV for case A (case B) at 2σ confidence level at 14 TeV LHC with the integrated luminosity L = 3ab-1.

Genetic Local Search for Optimum Multiuser Detection Problem in DS-CDMA Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shaowei; Ji, Xiaoyong

Optimum multiuser detection (OMD) in direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) systems is an NP-complete problem. In this paper, we present a genetic local search algorithm, which consists of an evolution strategy framework and a local improvement procedure. The evolution strategy searches the space of feasible, locally optimal solutions only. A fast iterated local search algorithm, which employs the proprietary characteristics of the OMD problem, produces local optima with great efficiency. Computer simulations show the bit error rate (BER) performance of the GLS outperforms other multiuser detectors in all cases discussed. The computation time is polynomial complexity in the number of users.

DESCANT - Testing and Commissioning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bildstein, Vinzenz; Garrett, P. E.; Bandyopadhay, D.; Bangay, J.; Bianco, L.; Demand, G.; Hadinia, B.; Leach, K. G.; Sumithrarachchi, C.; Turko, J.; Wong, J.; Ashley, S. F.; Crider, B. P.; McEllistrem, M. T.; Peters, E. E.; Prados-Estévez, F. M.; Yates, S. W.; Vanhoy, J. R.; Ball, G. C.; Bishop, D. P.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Hackman, G.; Pearson, C. J.; Shaw, B.; Sarazin, F.

2017-09-01

The DESCANT array at TRIUMF is designed to detect neutrons from RIB experiments. DESCANT is composed of 70 close-packed deuterated organic liquid scintillators coupled to digital fast read-out ADC modules. This configuration permits online pulse-shape discrimination between neutron and γ-ray events. A prototype detector was tested with monoenergetic neutrons at the University of Kentucky Accelerator Laboratory. The data from these tests was compared to Geant4 simulations. A first commissioning experiment of the full array, using the decay of Cs 145 - 146 , was performed in August 2016. The results of the tests and a preliminary analysis of the commissioning experiment will be presented.

The NOvA simulation chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aurisano, A.; Backhouse, C.; Hatcher, R.; Mayer, N.; Musser, J.; Patterson, R.; Schroeter, R.; Sousa, A.

2015-12-01

The NOνA experiment is a two-detector, long-baseline neutrino experiment operating in the recently upgraded NuMI muon neutrino beam. Simulating neutrino interactions and backgrounds requires many steps including: the simulation of the neutrino beam flux using FLUKA and the FLUGG interface; cosmic ray generation using CRY; neutrino interaction modeling using GENIE; and a simulation of the energy deposited in the detector using GEANT4. To shorten generation time, the modeling of detector-specific aspects, such as photon transport, detector and electronics noise, and readout electronics, employs custom, parameterized simulation applications. We will describe the NOνA simulation chain, and present details on the techniques used in modeling photon transport near the ends of cells, and in developing a novel data-driven noise simulation. Due to the high intensity of the NuMI beam, the Near Detector samples a high rate of muons originating in the surrounding rock. In addition, due to its location on the surface at Ash River, MN, the Far Detector collects a large rate (˜ 140 kHz) of cosmic muons. We will discuss the methods used in NOνA for overlaying rock muons and cosmic ray muons with simulated neutrino interactions and show how realistically the final simulation reproduces the preliminary NOνA data.

The NO vA simulation chain

DOE PAGES

Aurisano, A.; Backhouse, C.; Hatcher, R.; ...

2015-12-23

The NO vA experiment is a two-detector, long-baseline neutrino experiment operating in the recently upgraded NuMI muon neutrino beam. Simulating neutrino interactions and backgrounds requires many steps including: the simulation of the neutrino beam flux using FLUKA and the FLUGG interface, cosmic ray generation using CRY, neutrino interaction modeling using GENIE, and a simulation of the energy deposited in the detector using GEANT4. To shorten generation time, the modeling of detector-specific aspects, such as photon transport, detector and electronics noise, and readout electronics, employs custom, parameterized simulation applications. We will describe the NO vA simulation chain, and present details onmore » the techniques used in modeling photon transport near the ends of cells, and in developing a novel data-driven noise simulation. Due to the high intensity of the NuMI beam, the Near Detector samples a high rate of muons originating in the surrounding rock. In addition, due to its location on the surface at Ash River, MN, the Far Detector collects a large rate ((˜) 140 kHz) of cosmic muons. Furthermore, we will discuss the methods used in NO vA for overlaying rock muons and cosmic ray muons with simulated neutrino interactions and show how realistically the final simulation reproduces the preliminary NO vA data.« less

The Generalized Centroid Difference method for lifetime measurements via γ-γ coincidences using large fast-timing arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Régis, J.-M.; Jolie, J.; Mach, H.; Simpson, G. S.; Blazhev, A.; Pascovici, G.; Pfeiffer, M.; Rudigier, M.; Saed-Samii, N.; Warr, N.; Blanc, A.; de France, G.; Jentschel, M.; Köster, U.; Mutti, P.; Soldner, T.; Ur, C. A.; Urban, W.; Bruce, A. M.; Drouet, F.; Fraile, L. M.; Ilieva, S.; Korten, W.; Kröll, T.; Lalkovski, S.; Mărginean, S.; Paziy, V.; Podolyák, Zs.; Regan, P. H.; Stezowski, O.; Vancraeyenest, A.

2015-05-01

A novel method for direct electronic "fast-timing" lifetime measurements of nuclear excited states via γ-γ coincidences using an array equipped with N very fast high-resolution LaBr3(Ce) scintillator detectors is presented. The generalized centroid difference method provides two independent "start" and "stop" time spectra obtained without any correction by a superposition of the N(N - 1)/2 calibrated γ-γ time difference spectra of the N detector fast-timing system. The two fast-timing array time spectra correspond to a forward and reverse gating of a specific γ-γ cascade and the centroid difference as the time shift between the centroids of the two time spectra provides a picosecond-sensitive mirror-symmetric observable of the set-up. The energydependent mean prompt response difference between the start and stop events is calibrated and used as a single correction for lifetime determination. These combined fast-timing array mean γ-γ zero-time responses can be determined for 40 keV < Eγ < 1.4 MeV with a precision better than 10 ps using a 152Eu γ-ray source. The new method is described with examples of (n,γ) and (n,f,γ) experiments performed at the intense cold-neutron beam facility PF1B of the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France, using 16 LaBr3(Ce) detectors within the EXILL&FATIMA campaign in 2013. The results are discussed with respect to possible systematic errors induced by background contributions.

Fast-Neutron Survey With Compact Plastic Scintillation Detectors.

PubMed

Preston, Rhys M; Tickner, James R

2017-07-01

With the rise of the Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM), it is now practical to build compact scintillation detectors well suited to portable use. A prototype survey meter for fast-neutrons and gamma-rays, based around an EJ-299-34 plastic scintillator with SiPM readout, has been developed and tested. A custom digital pulse processor was used to perform pulse shape discrimination on-the-fly. Ambient dose equivalent H*(10) was calculated by means of two energy-dependent 'G-functions'. The sensitivity was calculated to be between 0.10 and 0.22 cps/(µSv/hr) for fast-neutrons with energies above 2.5 MeV. The prototype was used to survey various laboratory radiation fields, with the readings compared with commercial survey meters. The high sensitivity and lightweight nature of this detector makes it promising for rapid survey of the mixed neutron/gamma-ray fields encountered in industry and homeland security. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelley, R.P.; Lewis, J.M.; Murer, D.

Previous work has measured the neutron response of pressurized {sup 4}He scintillation detectors, however these studies only examine the response as a function of incident neutron energy. Since the detection mechanism in {sup 4}He detectors is elastic scattering, and the interacting neutron will only deposit a fraction of its incident kinetic energy in the detector gas, an examination of the response of the detector output to deposited energy is necessary to transform these detectors into instruments for neutron spectrometry. Using a combined time-of-flight (TOF) and coincidence scattering method, this paper further characterizes the {sup 4}He light response to fast neutronsmore » by examining the scintillation light yield as a function of deposited energy, measuring the light response up to 5 MeV. These {sup 4}He detectors are simple in design, and are manufactured by Arktis Radiation Detectors in several sizes. The specific model used in this experiment had an active volume 20 cm long with an inner diameter of 4.4 cm, giving a total active volume of 304 cm{sup 3}. The key components include the active volume, filled with 150 bar of helium-4 gas, and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) mounted at either end of the active volume. The detector body is made of stainless steel. The detector response was experimentally measured using a two-detector coincidence arrangement with a {sup 252}Cf source. Two {sup 4}He detectors were vertically mounted, and the source was placed at a horizontal distance from the center of the bottom detector, forming a right angle. By requiring coincidence between the two detectors, it was confirmed that each neutron interacting in the second (top) detector must first have undergone a scattering interaction in the first (bottom) detector, and the time-of-flight (TOF) technique could then be used to determine the energy of the neutron as it traveled between the two detectors by the difference in time between the two detector events. More importantly, with the scattering angle known, the amount of energy deposited by the neutron in the bottom detector (ER) was also calculated using kinematic scattering equations. This deposited recoil energy was then compared to the corresponding light output for each event to form a deposited energy scintillation light response matrix. Similarly, the system's insensitivity to gammas and its ability to reject gammas by pulse shape discrimination (PSD) are often cited as an important advantage, although a detailed analysis of these capabilities has not yet been performed. This work therefore quantified these parameters in order to further characterize these detectors for future mixed radiation field measurements. Gamma sources were measured spanning a range of gamma-ray energies from 0.122 MeV to 1.332 MeV, including {sup 57}Co, {sup 137}Cs, {sup 54}Mn, and {sup 60}Co. Each source was counted by the {sup 4}He detector and the background subtracted. Taking the ratio of the number of events detected during the experimental source measurement to the number of gammas predicted by MCNPX to pass through the detector volume yields the detector's intrinsic gamma efficiency. The difference between this fraction and unity is therefore a measure of the detector's ability to ignore interfering gamma rays, defined as its inherent gamma rejection rate. The ability of post-processing PSD algorithms to further reduce the number of gammas is also investigated and quantified. Finally, it has been noted that the scintillation signal from a single neutron event can be separated in time into two components: the fast component is a sharp peak that exists on the order of nanoseconds; the slow component is a series of smaller pulses, stretched out over four microseconds. Whereas previous research has exclusively focused on the energy information contained in the slow component, this work demonstrates that the fast component is also sensitive to neutron energy, and the entire scintillation signal can therefore be used. In conclusion, the relationship of fast neutron {sup 4}He scintillation detectors to deposited neutron energy was explored, and will be combined with previous works that measured the scintillation response to incident neutron energy in order to develop a neutron spectrometer. Similarly, the ability of these {sup 4}He detectors to reject interfering gamma rays was also quantified, and so will enable this spectrometer to be deployed in mixed radiation field measurements. Finally, while previous works with these detectors have focused on an analysis of the slow scintillation component, it was demonstrated in this work that the fast component also contains significant energy information.« less

Digestive recovery of sulfur-methyl-L-methionine and its bioaccessibility in Kimchi cabbages using a simulated in vitro digestion model system.

PubMed

Lee, Hae-Rim; Cho, Sun-Duk; Lee, Woon Kyu; Kim, Gun-Hee; Shim, Soon-Mi

2014-01-15

Sulfur-methyl-L-methionine (SMM) has been known to provide various biological functions such as radical scavenging effect, inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, and prevention of gastric mucosal damage. Kimchi cabbages are known to be a major food source providing SMM but its bioaccessibility has not been studied. The objective of current study was to determine both the digestive stability of SMM and the amount released from Kimchi cabbages under a simulated in vitro digestion model system. The in vitro digestion model system simulating a human gastrointestinal tract was carried out for measuring digestive recovery and bioaccessibility of SMM. SMM was quantified by using high-performance liquid chromatography with a fluorescence detector. Recovery of an SMM standard after digestion was 0.68 and 0.65% for fasted and fed conditions, respectively, indicating that the digestive stability of the SMM standard was not affected by dietary energy or co-ingested food matrix. The SMM standard was also significantly stable in acidic pH (P < 0.05). The bioaccessibility of SMM from Kimchi cabbages was measured under a fasted condition, resulted in 8.83, 14.71 and 10.88%, for salivary, gastric and small intestinal phases, respectively. Results from our study suggest that SMM from Kimchi cabbages, a component of food sources, is more bioavailable than SMM by itself. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optimization of an ultralow-dose high-resolution pediatric PET scanner design based on monolithic scintillators with dual-sided digital SiPM readout: a simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikhaylova, Ekaterina; Tabacchini, Valerio; Borghi, Giacomo; Mollet, Pieter; D'Hoe, Ester; Schaart, Dennis R.; Vandenberghe, Stefaan

2017-11-01

The goal of this simulation study is the performance evaluation and comparison of six potential designs for a time-of-flight PET scanner for pediatric patients of up to about 12 years of age. It is designed to have a high sensitivity and provide high-contrast and high-resolution images. The simulated pediatric PET is a full ring scanner, consisting of 32  ×  32 mm2 monolithic LYSO:Ce crystals coupled to digital silicon photomultiplier arrays. The six considered designs differ in axial lengths (27.2 cm, 54.4 cm and 102 cm) and crystal thicknesses (22 mm and 11 mm). The simulations are based on measured detector response data. We study two possible detector arrangements: 22 mm-thick crystals with dual-sided readout and 11 mm-thick crystals with back-sided readout. The six designs are simulated by means of the GEANT4 application for tomographic emission software, using the measured spatial, energy and time response of the monolithic scintillator detectors as input. The performance of the six designs is compared on the basis of four studies: (1) spatial resolution; (2) NEMA NU2-2012 sensitivity and scatter fraction (SF) tests; (3) non-prewhitening signal-to-noise ratio observer study; and (4) receiver operating characteristics analysis. Based on the results, two designs are identified as cost-effective solutions for fast and efficient imaging of children: one with 54.4 cm axial field-of-view (FOV) and 22 mm-thick crystals, and another one with 102 cm axial FOV and 11 cm-thick crystals. The first one has a higher center point sensitivity than the second one, but requires dual-sided readout. The second design has the advantage of allowing a whole-body scan in a single bed position acquisition. Both designs have the potential to provide an excellent spatial resolution (˜2 mm) and an ultra-high sensitivity (>100 cps kBq-1 ).

Development of a Monte Carlo Simulation for APD-Based PET Detectors Using a Continuous Scintillating Crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clowes, P.; Mccallum, S.; Welch, A.

2006-10-01

We are currently developing a multilayer avalanche photodiode (APD)-based detector for use in positron emission tomography (PET), which utilizes thin continuous crystals. In this paper, we developed a Monte Carlo-based simulation to aid in the design of such detectors. We measured the performance of a detector comprising a single thin continuous crystal (3.1 mm times 9.5 mm times 9.5 mm) of lutetium yttrium ortho-silicate (LYSO) and an APD array (4times4) elements; each element 1.6 mm2 and on a 2.3 mm pitch. We showed that a spatial resolution of better than 2.12 mm is achievable throughout the crystal provided that we adopt a Statistics Based Positioning (SBP) Algorithm. We then used Monte Carlo simulation to model the behavior of the detector. The accuracy of the Monte Carlo simulation was verified by comparing measured and simulated parent datasets (PDS) for the SBP algorithm. These datasets consisted of data for point sources at 49 positions uniformly distributed over the detector area. We also calculated the noise in the detector circuit and verified this value by measurement. The noise value was included in the simulation. We show that the performance of the simulation closely matches the measured performance. The simulations were extended to investigate the effect of different noise levels on positioning accuracy. This paper showed that if modest improvements could be made in the circuit noise then positioning accuracy would be greatly improved. In summary, we have developed a model that can be used to simulate the performance of a variety of APD-based continuous crystal PET detectors

Modeling the Nab Experiment Electronics in SPICE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blose, Alexander; Crawford, Christopher; Sprow, Aaron; Nab Collaboration

2017-09-01

The goal of the Nab experiment is to measure the neutron decay coefficients a, the electron-neutrino correlation, as well as b, the Fierz interference term to precisely test the Standard Model, as well as probe for Beyond the Standard Model physics. In this experiment, protons from the beta decay of the neutron are guided through a magnetic field into a Silicon detector. Event reconstruction will be achieved via time-of-flight measurement for the proton and direct measurement of the coincident electron energy in highly segmented silicon detectors, so the amplification circuitry needs to preserve fast timing, provide good amplitude resolution, and be packaged in a high-density format. We have designed a SPICE simulation to model the full electronics chain for the Nab experiment in order to understand the contributions of each stage and optimize them for performance. Additionally, analytic solutions to each of the components have been determined where available. We will present a comparison of the output from the SPICE model, analytic solution, and empirically determined data.

Performance assessment study of the balloon-borne astronomical soft gamma-ray polarimeter PoGOLite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arimoto, M.; Kanai, Y.; Ueno, M.; Kataoka, J.; Kawai, N.; Tanaka, T.; Yamamoto, K.; Takahashi, H.; Mizuno, T.; Fukazawa, Y.; Axelsson, M.; Kiss, M.; Marini Bettolo, C.; Carlson, P.; Klamra, W.; Pearce, M.; Chen, P.; Craig, B.; Kamae, T.; Madejski, G.; Ng, J. S. T.; Rogers, R.; Tajima, H.; Thurston, T. S.; Saito, Y.; Takahashi, T.; Gunji, S.; Bjornsson, C.-I.; Larsson, S.; Ryde, F.; Bogaert, G.; Varner, G.

2007-12-01

Measurements of polarization play a crucial role in the understanding of the dominant emission mechanism of astronomical sources. Polarized Gamma-ray Observer-Light version (PoGOLite) is a balloon-borne astronomical soft gamma-ray polarimeter at the 25 80 keV band. The PoGOLite detector consists of a hexagonal close-packed array of 217 Phoswich detector cells (PDCs) and side anti-coincidence shields (SASs) made of BGO crystals surrounding PDCs. Each PDC consists of a slow hollow scintillator, a fast scintillator and a BGO crystal that connects to a photomultiplier tube at the end. To examine the PoGOLite's capability and estimate the performance, we conducted experiments with the PDC using radioisotope 241Am. In addition, we compared this result with performance expected by Monte Carlo simulation with Geant4. As a result, we found that the actual PDC has the capability to detect a 100 m Crab source until 80 keV.

QuickPol: Fast calculation of effective beam matrices for CMB polarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hivon, Eric; Mottet, Sylvain; Ponthieu, Nicolas

2017-02-01

Current and planned observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization anisotropies, with their ever increasing number of detectors, have reached a potential accuracy that requires a very demanding control of systematic effects. While some of these systematics can be reduced in the design of the instruments, others will have to be modeled and hopefully accounted for or corrected a posteriori. We propose QuickPol, a quick and accurate calculation of the full effective beam transfer function and of temperature to polarization leakage at the power spectra level, as induced by beam imperfections and mismatches between detector optical and electronic responses. All the observation details such as exact scanning strategy, imperfect polarization measurements, and flagged samples are accounted for. Our results are validated on Planck high frequency instrument (HFI) simulations. We show how the pipeline can be used to propagate instrumental uncertainties up to the final science products, and could be applied to experiments with rotating half-wave plates.

Tri-FAST Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation. Volume I. Tri-FAST Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation at the Advanced Simulation Center

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-03-28

TECHNICAL REPORT T-79-43 TRI- FAST HARDWARE-IN-THE-LOOP SIMULATION Volume 1: Trn FAST Hardware-In-the. Loop Simulation at the Advanced Simulation...Identify by block number) Tri- FAST Hardware-in-the-Loop ACSL Advanced Simulation Center Simulation RF Target Models I a. AfIACT ( sin -oveme skit N nem...e n tdositr by block number) The purpose of this report is to document the Tri- FAST missile simulation development and the seeker hardware-in-the

Active Well Counting Using New PSD Plastic Detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hausladen, Paul; Newby, Jason; McElroy, Robert Dennis

This report presents results and analysis from a series of proof-of-concept measurements to assess the suitability of segmented detectors constructed from Eljen EJ-299-34 PSD-plastic scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination capability for the purposes of quantifying uranium via active neutron coincidence counting. Present quantification of bulk uranium materials for international safeguards and domestic materials control and accounting relies on active neutron coincidence counting systems, such as the Active Well Coincidence Counter (AWCC) and the Uranium Neutron Coincidence Collar (UNCL), that use moderated He-3 proportional counters along with necessarily low-intensity 241Am(Li) neutron sources. Scintillation-based fast-neutron detectors are a potentially superior technology to themore » existing AWCC and UNCL designs due to their spectroscopic capability and their inherently short neutron coincidence times that largely eliminate random coincidences and enable interrogation by stronger sources. One of the past impediments to the investigation and adoption of scintillation counters for the purpose of quantifying bulk uranium was the commercial availability of scintillators having the necessary neutron-gamma pulse-shape discrimination properties only as flammable liquids. Recently, Eljen EJ-299-34 PSD-plastic scintillator became commercially available. The present work is the first assessment of an array of PSD-plastic detectors for the purposes of quantifying bulk uranium. The detector panel used in the present work was originally built as the focal plane for a fast-neutron imager, but it was repurposed for the present investigation by construction of a stand to support the inner well of an AWCC immediately in front of the detector panel. The detector panel and data acquisition of this system are particularly well suited for performing active-well fast-neutron counting of LEU and HEU samples because the active detector volume is solid, the 241Am(Li) interrogating neutrons are largely below the detector threshold, and the segmented construction of the detector modules allow for separation of true neutron-neutron coincidences from inter-detector scattering using the kinematics of neutron scattering. The results from a series of measurements of a suite of uranium standards are presented, and compared to measurements of the same standards and source configurations using the AWCC. Using these results, the performance of the segmented detectors reconfigured as a well counter is predicted and outperforms the AWCC.« less

Cherenkov neutron detector for fusion reaction and runaway electron diagnostics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cheon, MunSeong, E-mail: munseong@nfri.re.kr; Kim, Junghee

2015-08-15

A Cherenkov-type neutron detector was newly developed and neutron measurement experiments were performed at Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research. It was shown that the Cherenkov neutron detector can monitor the time-resolved neutron flux from deuterium-fueled fusion plasmas. Owing to the high temporal resolution of the detector, fast behaviors of runaway electrons, such as the neutron spikes, could be observed clearly. It is expected that the Cherenkov neutron detector could be utilized to provide useful information on runaway electrons as well as fusion reaction rate in fusion plasmas.

Quasi-optical analysis of a far-infrared spatio-spectral space interferometer concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bracken, C.; O'Sullivan, C.; Murphy, J. A.; Donohoe, A.; Savini, G.; Lightfoot, J.; Juanola-Parramon, R.; Fisica Consortium

2016-07-01

FISICA (Far-Infrared Space Interferometer Critical Assessment) was a three year study of a far-infrared spatio-spectral double-Fourier interferometer concept. One of the aims of the FISICA study was to set-out a baseline optical design for such a system, and to use a model of the system to simulate realistic telescope beams for use with an end-to-end instrument simulator. This paper describes a two-telescope (and hub) baseline optical design that fulfils the requirements of the FISICA science case, while minimising the optical mass of the system. A number of different modelling techniques were required for the analysis: fast approximate simulation tools such as ray tracing and Gaussian beam methods were employed for initial analysis, with GRASP physical optics used for higher accuracy in the final analysis. Results are shown for the predicted far-field patterns of the telescope primary mirrors under illumination by smooth walled rectangular feed horns. Far-field patterns for both on-axis and off-axis detectors are presented and discussed.

Geant4 Computing Performance Benchmarking and Monitoring

DOE PAGES

Dotti, Andrea; Elvira, V. Daniel; Folger, Gunter; ...

2015-12-23

Performance evaluation and analysis of large scale computing applications is essential for optimal use of resources. As detector simulation is one of the most compute intensive tasks and Geant4 is the simulation toolkit most widely used in contemporary high energy physics (HEP) experiments, it is important to monitor Geant4 through its development cycle for changes in computing performance and to identify problems and opportunities for code improvements. All Geant4 development and public releases are being profiled with a set of applications that utilize different input event samples, physics parameters, and detector configurations. Results from multiple benchmarking runs are compared tomore » previous public and development reference releases to monitor CPU and memory usage. Observed changes are evaluated and correlated with code modifications. Besides the full summary of call stack and memory footprint, a detailed call graph analysis is available to Geant4 developers for further analysis. The set of software tools used in the performance evaluation procedure, both in sequential and multi-threaded modes, include FAST, IgProf and Open|Speedshop. In conclusion, the scalability of the CPU time and memory performance in multi-threaded application is evaluated by measuring event throughput and memory gain as a function of the number of threads for selected event samples.« less

Small-size pedestrian detection in large scene based on fast R-CNN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Shengke; Yang, Na; Duan, Lianghua; Liu, Lu; Dong, Junyu

2018-04-01

Pedestrian detection is a canonical sub-problem of object detection with high demand during recent years. Although recent deep learning object detectors such as Fast/Faster R-CNN have shown excellent performance for general object detection, they have limited success for small size pedestrian detection in large-view scene. We study that the insufficient resolution of feature maps lead to the unsatisfactory accuracy when handling small instances. In this paper, we investigate issues involving Fast R-CNN for pedestrian detection. Driven by the observations, we propose a very simple but effective baseline for pedestrian detection based on Fast R-CNN, employing the DPM detector to generate proposals for accuracy, and training a fast R-CNN style network to jointly optimize small size pedestrian detection with skip connection concatenating feature from different layers to solving coarseness of feature maps. And the accuracy is improved in our research for small size pedestrian detection in the real large scene.

Single Photon Counting Detectors for Low Light Level Imaging Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolb, Kimberly

2015-10-01

This dissertation presents the current state-of-the-art of semiconductor-based photon counting detector technologies. HgCdTe linear-mode avalanche photodiodes (LM-APDs), silicon Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (GM-APDs), and electron-multiplying CCDs (EMCCDs) are compared via their present and future performance in various astronomy applications. LM-APDs are studied in theory, based on work done at the University of Hawaii. EMCCDs are studied in theory and experimentally, with a device at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. The emphasis of the research is on GM-APD imaging arrays, developed at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and tested at the RIT Center for Detectors. The GM-APD research includes a theoretical analysis of SNR and various performance metrics, including dark count rate, afterpulsing, photon detection efficiency, and intrapixel sensitivity. The effects of radiation damage on the GM-APD were also characterized by introducing a cumulative dose of 50 krad(Si) via 60 MeV protons. Extensive development of Monte Carlo simulations and practical observation simulations was completed, including simulated astronomical imaging and adaptive optics wavefront sensing. Based on theoretical models and experimental testing, both the current state-of-the-art performance and projected future performance of each detector are compared for various applications. LM-APD performance is currently not competitive with other photon counting technologies, and are left out of the application-based comparisons. In the current state-of-the-art, EMCCDs in photon counting mode out-perform GM-APDs for long exposure scenarios, though GM-APDs are better for short exposure scenarios (fast readout) due to clock-induced-charge (CIC) in EMCCDs. In the long term, small improvements in GM-APD dark current will make them superior in both long and short exposure scenarios for extremely low flux. The efficiency of GM-APDs will likely always be less than EMCCDs, however, which is particularly disadvantageous for moderate to high flux rates where dark noise and CIC are insignificant noise sources. Research into decreasing the dark count rate of GM-APDs will lead to development of imaging arrays that are competitive for low light level imaging and spectroscopy applications in the near future.

The Application of Neutron Transport Green's Functions to Threat Scenario Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thoreson, Gregory G.; Schneider, Erich A.; Armstrong, Hirotatsu; van der Hoeven, Christopher A.

2015-02-01

Radiation detectors provide deterrence and defense against nuclear smuggling attempts by scanning vehicles, ships, and pedestrians for radioactive material. Understanding detector performance is crucial to developing novel technologies, architectures, and alarm algorithms. Detection can be modeled through radiation transport simulations; however, modeling a spanning set of threat scenarios over the full transport phase-space is computationally challenging. Previous research has demonstrated Green's functions can simulate photon detector signals by decomposing the scenario space into independently simulated submodels. This paper presents decomposition methods for neutron and time-dependent transport. As a result, neutron detector signals produced from full forward transport simulations can be efficiently reconstructed by sequential application of submodel response functions.

Software Geometry in Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alion, Tyler; Viren, Brett; Junk, Tom

2015-04-01

The Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) involves many detectors. The experiment's near detector (ND) facility, may ultimately involve several detectors. The far detector (FD) will be significantly larger than any other Liquid Argon (LAr) detector yet constructed; many prototype detectors are being constructed and studied to motivate a plethora of proposed FD designs. Whether it be a constructed prototype or a proposed ND/FD design, every design must be simulated and analyzed. This presents a considerable challenge to LBNE software experts; each detector geometry must be described to the simulation software in an efficient way which allows for multiple authors to easily collaborate. Furthermore, different geometry versions must be tracked throughout their use. We present a framework called General Geometry Description (GGD), written and developed by LBNE software collaborators for managing software to generate geometries. Though GGD is flexible enough to be used by any experiment working with detectors, we present it's first use in generating Geometry Description Markup Language (GDML) files to interface with LArSoft, a framework of detector simulations, event reconstruction, and data analyses written for all LAr technology users at Fermilab. Brett is the other of the framework discussed here, the General Geometry Description (GGD).

Simulation and experimental measurement of radon activity using a multichannel silicon-based radiation detector.

PubMed

Ozdemir, F B; Selcuk, A B; Ozkorucuklu, S; Alpat, A B; Ozdemir, T; Ӧzek, N

2018-05-01

In this study, high-precision radiation detector (HIPRAD), a new-generation semiconductor microstrip detector, was used for detecting radon (Rn-222) activity. The aim of this study was to detect radon (Rn-222) activity experimentally by measuring the energy of particles in this detector. Count-ADC channel, eta-charge, and dose-response values were experimentally obtained using HIPRAD. The radon simulation in the radiation detector was theoretically performed using the Geant4 software package. The obtained radioactive decay, energy generation, energy values, and efficiency values of the simulation were plotted using the root program. The new-generation radiation detector proved to have 95% reliability according to the obtained dose-response graphs. The experimental and simulation results were found to be compatible with each other and with the radon decays and literature studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of a fast framing detector for electron microscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Johnson, Ian J.; Bustillo, Karen C.; Ciston, Jim

2016-10-01

A high frame rate detector system is described that enables fast real-time data analysis of scanning diffraction experiments in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). This is an end-to-end development that encompasses the data producing detector, data transportation, and real-time processing of data. The detector will consist of a central pixel sensor that is surrounded by annular silicon diodes. Both components of the detector system will synchronously capture data at almost 100 kHz frame rate, which produces an approximately 400 Gb/s data stream. Low-level preprocessing will be implemented in firmware before the data is streamed from the National Center for Electronmore » Microscopy (NCEM) to the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC). Live data processing, before it lands on disk, will happen on the Cori supercomputer and aims to present scientists with prompt experimental feedback. This online analysis will provide rough information of the sample that can be utilized for sample alignment, sample monitoring and verification that the experiment is set up correctly. Only a compressed version of the relevant data is then selected for more in-depth processing.« less

A large area high resolution imaging detector for fast atom diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupone, Sylvain; Soulisse, Pierre; Roncin, Philippe

2018-07-01

We describe a high resolution imaging detector based on a single 80 mm micro-channel-plate (MCP) and a phosphor screen mounted on a UHV flange of only 100 mm inner diameter. It relies on standard components and we describe its performance with one or two MCPs. A resolution of 80 μm rms is observed on the beam profile. At low count rate, individual impact can be pinpointed with few μm accuracy but the resolution is probably limited by the MCP channel diameter. The detector has been used to record the diffraction of fast atoms at grazing incidence on crystal surfaces (GIFAD), a technique probing the electronic density of the topmost layer only. The detector was also used to record the scattering profile during azimuthal scan of the crystal to produce triangulation curves revealing the surface crystallographic directions of molecular layers. It should also be compatible with reflection high energy electron (RHEED) experiment when fragile surfaces require a low exposure to the electron beam. The discussions on the mode of operation specific to diffraction experiments apply also to commercial detectors.

Device for Detection of Explosives, Nuclear and Other Hazardous Materials in Luggage and Cargo Containers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsov, Andrey; Evsenin, Alexey; Gorshkov, Igor; Osetrov, Oleg; Vakhtin, Dmitry

2009-12-01

Device for detection of explosives, radioactive and heavily shielded nuclear materials in luggage and cargo containers based on Nanosecond Neutron Analysis/Associated Particles Technique (NNA/APT) is under construction. Detection module consists of a small neutron generator with built-in position-sensitive detector of associated alpha-particles, and several scintillator-based gamma-ray detectors. Explosives and other hazardous chemicals are detected by analyzing secondary high-energy gamma-rays from reactions of fast neutrons with materials inside a container. The same gamma-ray detectors are used to detect unshielded radioactive and nuclear materials. An array of several neutron detectors is used to detect fast neutrons from induced fission of nuclear materials. Coincidence and timing analysis allows one to discriminate between fission neutrons and scattered probing neutrons. Mathematical modeling by MCNP5 and MCNP-PoliMi codes was used to estimate the sensitivity of the device and its optimal configuration. Comparison of the features of three gamma detector types—based on BGO, NaI and LaBr3 crystals is presented.

Tests of a Fast Plastic Scintillator for High-Precision Half-Life Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laffoley, A. T.; Dunlop, R.; Finlay, P.; Leach, K. G.; Michetti-Wilson, J.; Rand, E. T.; Svensson, C. E.; Grinyer, G. F.; Thomas, J. C.; Ball, G.; Garnsworthy, A. B.; Hackman, G.; Orce, J. N.; Triambak, S.; Williams, S. J.; Andreoiu, C.; Cross, D.

2013-03-01

A fast plastic scintillator detector is evaluated for possible use in an ongoing program of high-precision half-life measurements of short lived β emitters. Using data taken at TRI-UMF's Isotope Separator and Accelerator Facility with a radioactive 26Na beam, a detailed investigation of potential systematic effects with this new detector setup is being performed. The technique will then be applied to other β-decay half-life measurements including the superallowed Fermi β emitters 10C, 14O, and T = 1/2 decay of 15O.

Optimization of 6LiF:ZnS(Ag) scintillator light yield using GEANT4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yehuda-Zada, Y.; Pritchard, K.; Ziegler, J. B.; Cooksey, C.; Siebein, K.; Jackson, M.; Hurlbut, C.; Kadmon, Y.; Cohen, Y.; Ibberson, R. M.; Majkrzak, C. F.; Maliszewskyj, N. C.; Orion, I.; Osovizky, A.

2018-06-01

A new cold neutron detector has been developed at the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) for the CANDoR (Chromatic Analysis Neutron Diffractometer or Reflectometer) project. Geometric and performance constraints dictate that this detector be exceptionally thin (∼ 2 mm). For this reason, the design of the detector consists of a 6LiF:ZnS(Ag) scintillator with embedded wavelength shifting (WLS) fibers. We used the GEANT4 package to simulate neutron capture and light transport in the detector to optimize the composition and arrangement of materials to satisfy the competing requirements of high neutron capture probability and light production and transport. In the process, we have developed a method for predicting light collection and total neutron detection efficiency for different detector configurations. The simulation was performed by adjusting crucial parameters such as the scintillator stoichiometry, light yield, component grain size, WLS fiber geometry, and reflectors at the outside edges of the scintillator volume. Three different detector configurations were fabricated and their test results were correlated with the simulations. Through this correlation we have managed to find a common photon threshold for the different detector configurations which was then used to simulate and predict the efficiencies for many other detector configurations. New detectors that have been fabricated based on simulation results yielding the desired sensitivity of 90% for 3.27 meV (5 Å) cold neutrons. The simulation has proven to be a useful tool by dramatically reducing the development period and the required number of detector prototypes. It can be used to test new designs with different thicknesses and different target neutron energies.

Slant rectification in Russian passport OCR system using fast Hough transform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Limonova, Elena; Bezmaternykh, Pavel; Nikolaev, Dmitry; Arlazarov, Vladimir

2017-03-01

In this paper, we introduce slant detection method based on Fast Hough Transform calculation and demonstrate its application in industrial system for Russian passports recognition. About 1.5% of this kind of documents appear to be slant or italic. This fact reduces recognition rate, because Optical Recognition Systems are normally designed to process normal fonts. Our method uses Fast Hough Transform to analyse vertical strokes of characters extracted with the help of x-derivative of a text line image. To improve the quality of detector we also introduce field grouping rules. The resulting algorithm allowed to reach high detection quality. Almost all errors of considered approach happen on passports of nonstandard fonts, while slant detector works in appropriate way.

Fast iterative censoring CFAR algorithm for ship detection from SAR images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Dandan; Yue, Hui; Zhang, Yuan; Gao, Pengcheng

2017-11-01

Ship detection is one of the essential techniques for ship recognition from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. This paper presents a fast iterative detection procedure to eliminate the influence of target returns on the estimation of local sea clutter distributions for constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detectors. A fast block detector is first employed to extract potential target sub-images; and then, an iterative censoring CFAR algorithm is used to detect ship candidates from each target blocks adaptively and efficiently, where parallel detection is available, and statistical parameters of G0 distribution fitting local sea clutter well can be quickly estimated based on an integral image operator. Experimental results of TerraSAR-X images demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique.

Comparative study of bowtie and patient scatter in diagnostic CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, Prakhar; Boudry, John M.

2017-03-01

A fast, GPU accelerated Monte Carlo engine for simulating relevant photon interaction processes over the diagnostic energy range in third-generation CT systems was developed to study the relative contributions of bowtie and object scatter to the total scatter reaching an imaging detector. Primary and scattered projections for an elliptical water phantom (major axis set to 300mm) with muscle and fat inserts were simulated for a typical diagnostic CT system as a function of anti-scatter grid (ASG) configurations. The ASG design space explored grid orientation, i.e. septa either a) parallel or b) parallel and perpendicular to the axis of rotation, as well as septa height. The septa material was Tungsten. The resulting projections were reconstructed and the scatter induced image degradation was quantified using common CT image metrics (such as Hounsfield Unit (HU) inaccuracy and loss in contrast), along with a qualitative review of image artifacts. Results indicate object scatter dominates total scatter in the detector channels under the shadow of the imaged object with the bowtie scatter fraction progressively increasing towards the edges of the object projection. Object scatter was shown to be the driving factor behind HU inaccuracy and contrast reduction in the simulated images while shading artifacts and elevated loss in HU accuracy at the object boundary were largely attributed to bowtie scatter. Because the impact of bowtie scatter could not be sufficiently mitigated with a large grid ratio ASG, algorithmic correction may be necessary to further mitigate these artifacts.

Computational steering of GEM based detector simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheharyar, Ali; Bouhali, Othmane

2017-10-01

Gas based detector R&D relies heavily on full simulation of detectors and their optimization before final prototypes can be built and tested. These simulations in particular those with complex scenarios such as those involving high detector voltages or gas with larger gains are computationally intensive may take several days or weeks to complete. These long-running simulations usually run on the high-performance computers in batch mode. If the results lead to unexpected behavior, then the simulation might be rerun with different parameters. However, the simulations (or jobs) may have to wait in a queue until they get a chance to run again because the supercomputer is a shared resource that maintains a queue of other user programs as well and executes them as time and priorities permit. It may result in inefficient resource utilization and increase in the turnaround time for the scientific experiment. To overcome this issue, the monitoring of the behavior of a simulation, while it is running (or live), is essential. In this work, we employ the computational steering technique by coupling the detector simulations with a visualization package named VisIt to enable the exploration of the live data as it is produced by the simulation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klix, A.; Fischer, U.; Raj, P.

Fusion power reactors will rely on the internal production of the fuel tritium from lithium in the tritium breeding blanket. Test Blanket Modules (TBM) will be installed in ITER with the aim to investigate the nuclear performance of different breeding blanket designs. Currently there is no fully qualified nuclear instrumentation available for the measurement of neutron fluxes and tritium production rates which would be able to withstand the harsh environment conditions in the TBM such as high temperature (>400 deg. C) and, depending on the operation scenario, intense radiation levels. As partner of the European Consortium on Nuclear Data andmore » Measurement Techniques in the framework of several F4E specific grants and contracts, KIT and ENEA have jointly studied the possibility to develop and test detectors suitable to operate in ITER-TBMs. Here we present an overview of ongoing work on three types of neutron flux monitors under development for the TBMs with focus on the KIT activities. A neutron activation system (NAS) with pneumatic sample transport could provide absolute neutron flux measurements in selected positions. A test system for investigating activation materials with short half-lives was constructed at the DT neutron generator laboratory of Technical University of Dresden to investigate the neutronics aspects. Several irradiations have been performed with focus on the simultaneous measurement of the extracted activated probes. An engineering assessment of a TBM NAS in the conceptual design phase has been done which considered issues of design requirements and integration. Last but not least, a mechanical test bench is under construction at KIT which will address issues of driving the activation probes, solutions for loading the system etc. experimentally. Self-powered neutron detectors (SPND) are widely applied in fission reactor monitoring, and the commercially available SPNDs are sensitive to thermal neutrons. We are investigating novel materials for SPND which would be sensitive also to the fast neutron flux expected in the TBMs. To this end simulations were done with the European Activation System EASY and neutron flux spectra which were calculated with MCNP for the HCPB TBM. Preliminary tests with commercial SPND in a fast reactor were performed. As a result of these activities, several materials have been found which may be suitable for the measurement of fast neutron fluxes in the TBM. Test detectors are under preparation for testing with DT neutron generators. Within the I{sub S}MART project, funded by KIC InnoEnergy, KIT is developing an online detector based on silicon carbide electronics for the TBMs. The operation of such detectors at TBM relevant temperatures is expected to incur lower accumulated radiation damage to them than at room temperature due to annealing effects. Detectors of several designs have been already irradiated with DT neutrons. Irradiation tests at elevated temperatures have been done and further tests are currently underway. This paper summarizes the status of the work for these three neutron flux monitor systems. (authors)« less

Investigation of three-dimensional localisation of radioactive sources using a fast organic liquid scintillator detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gamage, K. A. A.; Joyce, M. J.; Taylor, G. C.

2013-04-01

In this paper we discuss the possibility of locating radioactive sources in space using a scanning-based method, relative to the three-dimensional location of the detector. The scanning system comprises an organic liquid scintillator detector, a tungsten collimator and an adjustable equatorial mount. The detector output is connected to a bespoke fast digitiser (Hybrid Instruments Ltd., UK) which streams digital samples to a personal computer. A radioactive source has been attached to a vertical wall and the data have been collected in two stages. In the first case, the scanning system was placed a couple of metres away from the wall and in the second case it moved few centimetres from the previous location, parallel to the wall. In each case data were collected from a grid of measurement points (set of azimuth angles for set of elevation angles) which covered the source on the wall. The discrimination of fast neutrons and gamma rays, detected by the organic liquid scintillator detector, is carried out on the basis of pulse gradient analysis. Images are then produced in terms of the angular distribution of events for total counts, gamma rays and neutrons for both cases. The three-dimensional location of the neutron source can be obtained by considering the relative separation of the centres of the corresponding images of angular distribution of events. The measurements have been made at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, UK.

Optical delay encoding for fast timing and detector signal multiplexing in PET

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grant, Alexander M.; Levin, Craig S., E-mail: cslevin@stanford.edu; Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford

2015-08-15

Purpose: The large number of detector channels in modern positron emission tomography (PET) scanners poses a challenge in terms of readout electronics complexity. Multiplexing schemes are typically implemented to reduce the number of physical readout channels, but often result in performance degradation. Novel methods of multiplexing in PET must be developed to avoid this data degradation. The preservation of fast timing information is especially important for time-of-flight PET. Methods: A new multiplexing scheme based on encoding detector interaction events with a series of extremely fast overlapping optical pulses with precise delays is demonstrated in this work. Encoding events in thismore » way potentially allows many detector channels to be simultaneously encoded onto a single optical fiber that is then read out by a single digitizer. A two channel silicon photomultiplier-based prototype utilizing this optical delay encoding technique along with dual threshold time-over-threshold is demonstrated. Results: The optical encoding and multiplexing prototype achieves a coincidence time resolution of 160 ps full width at half maximum (FWHM) and an energy resolution of 13.1% FWHM at 511 keV with 3 × 3 × 5 mm{sup 3} LYSO crystals. All interaction information for both detectors, including timing, energy, and channel identification, is encoded onto a single optical fiber with little degradation. Conclusions: Optical delay encoding and multiplexing technology could lead to time-of-flight PET scanners with fewer readout channels and simplified data acquisition systems.« less

A method to describe inelastic gamma field distribution in neutron gamma density logging.

PubMed

Zhang, Feng; Zhang, Quanying; Liu, Juntao; Wang, Xinguang; Wu, He; Jia, Wenbao; Ti, Yongzhou; Qiu, Fei; Zhang, Xiaoyang

2017-11-01

Pulsed neutron gamma density logging (NGD) is of great significance for radioprotection and density measurement in LWD, however, the current methods have difficulty in quantitative calculation and single factor analysis for the inelastic gamma field distribution. In order to clarify the NGD mechanism, a new method is developed to describe the inelastic gamma field distribution. Based on the fast-neutron scattering and gamma attenuation, the inelastic gamma field distribution is characterized by the inelastic scattering cross section, fast-neutron scattering free path, formation density and other parameters. And the contribution of formation parameters on the field distribution is quantitatively analyzed. The results shows the contribution of density attenuation is opposite to that of inelastic scattering cross section and fast-neutron scattering free path. And as the detector-spacing increases, the density attenuation gradually plays a dominant role in the gamma field distribution, which means large detector-spacing is more favorable for the density measurement. Besides, the relationship of density sensitivity and detector spacing was studied according to this gamma field distribution, therefore, the spacing of near and far gamma ray detector is determined. The research provides theoretical guidance for the tool parameter design and density determination of pulsed neutron gamma density logging technique. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Full characterization of laser-accelerated ion beams using Faraday cup, silicon carbide, and single-crystal diamond detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margarone, D.; Krása, J.; Giuffrida, L.; Picciotto, A.; Torrisi, L.; Nowak, T.; Musumeci, P.; Velyhan, A.; Prokůpek, J.; Láska, L.; Mocek, T.; Ullschmied, J.; Rus, B.

2011-05-01

Multi-MeV beams of light ions have been produced using the 300 picosecond, kJ-class iodine laser, operating at the Prague Asterix Laser System facility in Prague. Real-time ion diagnostics have been performed by the use of various time-of-flight (TOF) detectors: ion collectors (ICs) with and without absorber thin films, new prototypes of single-crystal diamond and silicon carbide detectors, and an electrostatic ion mass spectrometer (IEA). In order to suppress the long photopeak induced by soft X-rays and to avoid the overlap with the signal from ultrafast particles, the ICs have been shielded with Al foil filters. The application of large-bandgap semiconductor detectors (>3 eV) ensured cutting of the plasma-emitted visible and soft-UV radiation and enhancing the sensitivity to the very fast proton/ion beams. Employing the IEA spectrometer, various ion species and charge states in the expanding laser-plasma have been determined. Processing of the experimental data based on the TOF technique, including estimation of the plasma fast proton maximum and peak energy, ion beam currents and total charge, total number of fast protons, as well as deconvolution processes, ion stopping power, and ion/photon transmission calculations for the different metallic filters used, are reported.

Monte Carlo simulation of a NaI(Tl) detector for in situ radioactivity measurements in the marine environment.

PubMed

Zhang, Yingying; Li, Changkai; Liu, Dongyan; Zhang, Ying; Liu, Yan

2015-04-01

To develop in situ NaI(Tl) detector for radioactivity measurement in the marine environment, the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) Transport Code was utilized to simulate the measurement of NaI(Tl) detector immersed in seawater, taking into account the material and geometry of the detector, and the interactions between the photons with the atoms of the seawater and the detector. The simulation results of the marine detection efficiency and distance were deduced and analyzed. In order to test their reliability, the field measurement was made at open sea and the experimental value of the marine detection efficiency was deduced and seems to be in good agreement with the simulated one. The minimum detectable activity for (137)Cs in the seawater of NaI(Tl) detector developed was determined mathematically at last. The simulation method and results in the paper can be used for the better design and quantitative calculation of in situ NaI(Tl) detector for radioactivity measurement in the marine environment, and also for some applications such as the installation on the marine monitoring platform and the quantitative analysis of radionuclides. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Expected total counts for the Self-Interrogation Neutron Resonance Densitometry measurements of spent nuclear fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rossa, Riccardo; Universite Libre de Bruxelles; Borella, Alessandro

2015-07-01

The Self-Interrogation Neutron Resonance Densitometry (SINRD) is a passive neutron technique that aims at a direct quantification of {sup 239}Pu in spent fuel assemblies by measuring the attenuation of the neutron flux in the energy region close to the 0.3 eV resonance of {sup 239}Pu. The {sup 239}Pu mass is estimated by calculating the SINRD signature, that is the ratio between the neutron counts in the fast energy region and around the 0.3 eV resonance region. The SINRD measurement approach in this study consisted in introducing a small neutron detector in the central guide tube of a PWR 17x17 fuelmore » assembly. In order to measure the neutron flux in the energy regions defined in the SINRD signature, different detector types were used. The response of a bare {sup 238}U fission chamber is considered for the determination of the fast neutron flux, while other thermal-epithermal detectors wrapped in neutron absorbers are envisaged to measure the neutron flux around the resonance region. This paper provides an estimation of the total neutron counts that can be achieved with the detector types proposed for the SINRD measurement. In the first section a set of detectors are evaluated in terms of total neutron counts and sensitivity to the {sup 239}Pu content, in order to identify the optimal measurement configuration for each detector type. Then a study is performed to increase the total neutron counts by increasing the detector size. The study shows that the highest total neutron counts are achieved by using either {sup 3}He or {sup 10}B proportional counters because of the high neutron efficiency of these detectors. However, the calculations indicate that the biggest contribution to the measurement uncertainty is due to the measurement of the fast neutron flux. Finally, similar sensitivity to the {sup 239}Pu content is obtained by using the different detector types for the measurement of the neutron flux close to the resonance region. Therefore, the total neutron counts associated to each detector type will play a major role in the selection of the detector types used for the SINRD measurement. (authors)« less

Improved Space Object Orbit Determination Using CMOS Detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schildknecht, T.; Peltonen, J.; Sännti, T.; Silha, J.; Flohrer, T.

2014-09-01

CMOS-sensors, or in general Active Pixel Sensors (APS), are rapidly replacing CCDs in the consumer camera market. Due to significant technological advances during the past years these devices start to compete with CCDs also for demanding scientific imaging applications, in particular in the astronomy community. CMOS detectors offer a series of inherent advantages compared to CCDs, due to the structure of their basic pixel cells, which each contains their own amplifier and readout electronics. The most prominent advantages for space object observations are the extremely fast and flexible readout capabilities, feasibility for electronic shuttering and precise epoch registration, and the potential to perform image processing operations on-chip and in real-time. The major challenges and design drivers for ground-based and space-based optical observation strategies have been analyzed. CMOS detector characteristics were critically evaluated and compared with the established CCD technology, especially with respect to the above mentioned observations. Similarly, the desirable on-chip processing functionalities which would further enhance the object detection and image segmentation were identified. Finally, we simulated several observation scenarios for ground- and space-based sensor by assuming different observation and sensor properties. We will introduce the analyzed end-to-end simulations of the ground- and space-based strategies in order to investigate the orbit determination accuracy and its sensitivity which may result from different values for the frame-rate, pixel scale, astrometric and epoch registration accuracies. Two cases were simulated, a survey using a ground-based sensor to observe objects in LEO for surveillance applications, and a statistical survey with a space-based sensor orbiting in LEO observing small-size debris in LEO. The ground-based LEO survey uses a dynamical fence close to the Earth shadow a few hours after sunset. For the space-based scenario a sensor in a sun-synchronous LEO orbit, always pointing in the anti-sun direction to achieve optimum illumination conditions for small LEO debris, was simulated. For the space-based scenario the simulations showed a 20 130 % improvement of the accuracy of all orbital parameters when varying the frame rate from 1/3 fps, which is the fastest rate for a typical CCD detector, to 50 fps, which represents the highest rate of scientific CMOS cameras. Changing the epoch registration accuracy from a typical 20.0 ms for a mechanical shutter to 0.025 ms, the theoretical value for the electronic shutter of a CMOS camera, improved the orbit accuracy by 4 to 190 %. The ground-based scenario also benefit from the specific CMOS characteristics, but to a lesser extent.

CatSim: a new computer assisted tomography simulation environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Man, Bruno; Basu, Samit; Chandra, Naveen; Dunham, Bruce; Edic, Peter; Iatrou, Maria; McOlash, Scott; Sainath, Paavana; Shaughnessy, Charlie; Tower, Brendon; Williams, Eugene

2007-03-01

We present a new simulation environment for X-ray computed tomography, called CatSim. CatSim provides a research platform for GE researchers and collaborators to explore new reconstruction algorithms, CT architectures, and X-ray source or detector technologies. The main requirements for this simulator are accurate physics modeling, low computation times, and geometrical flexibility. CatSim allows simulating complex analytic phantoms, such as the FORBILD phantoms, including boxes, ellipsoids, elliptical cylinders, cones, and cut planes. CatSim incorporates polychromaticity, realistic quantum and electronic noise models, finite focal spot size and shape, finite detector cell size, detector cross-talk, detector lag or afterglow, bowtie filtration, finite detector efficiency, non-linear partial volume, scatter (variance-reduced Monte Carlo), and absorbed dose. We present an overview of CatSim along with a number of validation experiments.

The Monte Carlo simulation of the Borexino detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agostini, M.; Altenmüller, K.; Appel, S.; Atroshchenko, V.; Bagdasarian, Z.; Basilico, D.; Bellini, G.; Benziger, J.; Bick, D.; Bonfini, G.; Borodikhina, L.; Bravo, D.; Caccianiga, B.; Calaprice, F.; Caminata, A.; Canepa, M.; Caprioli, S.; Carlini, M.; Cavalcante, P.; Chepurnov, A.; Choi, K.; D'Angelo, D.; Davini, S.; Derbin, A.; Ding, X. F.; Di Noto, L.; Drachnev, I.; Fomenko, K.; Formozov, A.; Franco, D.; Froborg, F.; Gabriele, F.; Galbiati, C.; Ghiano, C.; Giammarchi, M.; Goeger-Neff, M.; Goretti, A.; Gromov, M.; Hagner, C.; Houdy, T.; Hungerford, E.; Ianni, Aldo; Ianni, Andrea; Jany, A.; Jeschke, D.; Kobychev, V.; Korablev, D.; Korga, G.; Kryn, D.; Laubenstein, M.; Litvinovich, E.; Lombardi, F.; Lombardi, P.; Ludhova, L.; Lukyanchenko, G.; Machulin, I.; Magnozzi, M.; Manuzio, G.; Marcocci, S.; Martyn, J.; Meroni, E.; Meyer, M.; Miramonti, L.; Misiaszek, M.; Muratova, V.; Neumair, B.; Oberauer, L.; Opitz, B.; Ortica, F.; Pallavicini, M.; Papp, L.; Pocar, A.; Ranucci, G.; Razeto, A.; Re, A.; Romani, A.; Roncin, R.; Rossi, N.; Schönert, S.; Semenov, D.; Shakina, P.; Skorokhvatov, M.; Smirnov, O.; Sotnikov, A.; Stokes, L. F. F.; Suvorov, Y.; Tartaglia, R.; Testera, G.; Thurn, J.; Toropova, M.; Unzhakov, E.; Vishneva, A.; Vogelaar, R. B.; von Feilitzsch, F.; Wang, H.; Weinz, S.; Wojcik, M.; Wurm, M.; Yokley, Z.; Zaimidoroga, O.; Zavatarelli, S.; Zuber, K.; Zuzel, G.

2018-01-01

We describe the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation of the Borexino detector and the agreement of its output with data. The Borexino MC "ab initio" simulates the energy loss of particles in all detector components and generates the resulting scintillation photons and their propagation within the liquid scintillator volume. The simulation accounts for absorption, reemission, and scattering of the optical photons and tracks them until they either are absorbed or reach the photocathode of one of the photomultiplier tubes. Photon detection is followed by a comprehensive simulation of the readout electronics response. The MC is tuned using data collected with radioactive calibration sources deployed inside and around the scintillator volume. The simulation reproduces the energy response of the detector, its uniformity within the fiducial scintillator volume relevant to neutrino physics, and the time distribution of detected photons to better than 1% between 100 keV and several MeV. The techniques developed to simulate the Borexino detector and their level of refinement are of possible interest to the neutrino community, especially for current and future large-volume liquid scintillator experiments such as Kamland-Zen, SNO+, and Juno.

Numerical integration of detector response functions via Monte Carlo simulations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kelly, Keegan John; O'Donnell, John M.; Gomez, Jaime A.

Calculations of detector response functions are complicated because they include the intricacies of signal creation from the detector itself as well as a complex interplay between the detector, the particle-emitting target, and the entire experimental environment. As such, these functions are typically only accessible through time-consuming Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, the output of thousands of Monte Carlo simulations can be necessary in order to extract a physics result from a single experiment. Here we describe a method to obtain a full description of the detector response function using Monte Carlo simulations. We also show that a response function calculated inmore » this way can be used to create Monte Carlo simulation output spectra a factor of ~1000× faster than running a new Monte Carlo simulation. A detailed discussion of the proper treatment of uncertainties when using this and other similar methods is provided as well. Here, this method is demonstrated and tested using simulated data from the Chi-Nu experiment, which measures prompt fission neutron spectra at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center.« less

Numerical integration of detector response functions via Monte Carlo simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelly, K. J.; O'Donnell, J. M.; Gomez, J. A.; Taddeucci, T. N.; Devlin, M.; Haight, R. C.; White, M. C.; Mosby, S. M.; Neudecker, D.; Buckner, M. Q.; Wu, C. Y.; Lee, H. Y.

2017-09-01

Calculations of detector response functions are complicated because they include the intricacies of signal creation from the detector itself as well as a complex interplay between the detector, the particle-emitting target, and the entire experimental environment. As such, these functions are typically only accessible through time-consuming Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, the output of thousands of Monte Carlo simulations can be necessary in order to extract a physics result from a single experiment. Here we describe a method to obtain a full description of the detector response function using Monte Carlo simulations. We also show that a response function calculated in this way can be used to create Monte Carlo simulation output spectra a factor of ∼ 1000 × faster than running a new Monte Carlo simulation. A detailed discussion of the proper treatment of uncertainties when using this and other similar methods is provided as well. This method is demonstrated and tested using simulated data from the Chi-Nu experiment, which measures prompt fission neutron spectra at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center.

Refined lateral energy correction functions for the KASCADE-Grande experiment based on Geant4 simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gherghel-Lascu, A.; Apel, W. D.; Arteaga-Velázquez, J. C.; Bekk, K.; Bertaina, M.; Blümer, J.; Bozdog, H.; Brancus, I. M.; Cantoni, E.; Chiavassa, A.; Cossavella, F.; Daumiller, K.; de Souza, V.; Di Pierro, F.; Doll, P.; Engel, R.; Engler, J.; Fuchs, B.; Fuhrmann, D.; Gils, H. J.; Glasstetter, R.; Grupen, C.; Haungs, A.; Heck, D.; Hörandel, J. R.; Huber, D.; Huege, T.; Kampert, K.-H.; Kang, D.; Klages, H. O.; Link, K.; Łuczak, P.; Mathes, H. J.; Mayer, H. J.; Milke, J.; Mitrica, B.; Morello, C.; Oehlschläger, J.; Ostapchenko, S.; Palmieri, N.; Petcu, M.; Pierog, T.; Rebel, H.; Roth, M.; Schieler, H.; Schoo, S.; Schröder, F. G.; Sima, O.; Toma, G.; Trinchero, G. C.; Ulrich, H.; Weindl, A.; Wochele, J.; Zabierowski, J.

2015-02-01

In previous studies of KASCADE-Grande data, a Monte Carlo simulation code based on the GEANT3 program has been developed to describe the energy deposited by EAS particles in the detector stations. In an attempt to decrease the simulation time and ensure compatibility with the geometry description in standard KASCADE-Grande analysis software, several structural elements have been neglected in the implementation of the Grande station geometry. To improve the agreement between experimental and simulated data, a more accurate simulation of the response of the KASCADE-Grande detector is necessary. A new simulation code has been developed based on the GEANT4 program, including a realistic geometry of the detector station with structural elements that have not been considered in previous studies. The new code is used to study the influence of a realistic detector geometry on the energy deposited in the Grande detector stations by particles from EAS events simulated by CORSIKA. Lateral Energy Correction Functions are determined and compared with previous results based on GEANT3.

Numerical integration of detector response functions via Monte Carlo simulations

DOE PAGES

Kelly, Keegan John; O'Donnell, John M.; Gomez, Jaime A.; ...

2017-06-13

Calculations of detector response functions are complicated because they include the intricacies of signal creation from the detector itself as well as a complex interplay between the detector, the particle-emitting target, and the entire experimental environment. As such, these functions are typically only accessible through time-consuming Monte Carlo simulations. Furthermore, the output of thousands of Monte Carlo simulations can be necessary in order to extract a physics result from a single experiment. Here we describe a method to obtain a full description of the detector response function using Monte Carlo simulations. We also show that a response function calculated inmore » this way can be used to create Monte Carlo simulation output spectra a factor of ~1000× faster than running a new Monte Carlo simulation. A detailed discussion of the proper treatment of uncertainties when using this and other similar methods is provided as well. Here, this method is demonstrated and tested using simulated data from the Chi-Nu experiment, which measures prompt fission neutron spectra at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center.« less

Fast modular data acquisition system for GEM-2D detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasprowicz, G.; Byszuk, Adrian; Wojeński, A.; Zienkiewicz, P.; Czarski, T.; Chernyshova, M.; Poźniak, K.; Rzadkiewicz, J.; Zabolotny, W.; Juszczyk, B.

2014-11-01

A novel approach to two dimensional Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector readout is presented. Unlike commonly used methods, based on discriminators and analogue FIFOs, the method developed uses simulta- neously sampling high speed ADCs with fast hybrid integrator and advanced FPGA-based processing logic to estimate the energy of every single photon. Such a method is applied to every GEM strip / pixel signal. It is especially useful in case of crystal-based spectrometers for soft X-rays, 2D imaging for plasma tomography and all these applications where energy resolution of every single photon is required. For the purpose of the detector readout, a novel, highly modular and extendable conception of the measurement platform was developed. It is evolution of already deployed measurement system for JET Spectrometer.

Simulations of Beam Optics and Bremsstrahlung for High Intensity and Brightness Channeling Radiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hyun, J.; Piot, P.; Sen, T.

2018-04-12

This paper presents X-ray spectra of channeling radiation expected at the FAST (Fermi Accelerator Science and Technology) facility in Fermilab. Our purpose is to produce high brightness quasi-monochromatic X-rays in an energy range from 40 keV to 110 keV. We will use a diamond crystal and low emittance electrons with an energy of around 43 MeV. The quality of emitted X-rays depends on parameters of the electron beam at the crystal. We present simulations of the beam optics for high brightness and high yield operations for a range of bunch charges. We estimate the X-ray spectra including bremsstrahlung background. Wemore » discuss how the electron beam distributions after the diamond crystal are affected by channeling. We discuss an X-ray detector system to avoid pile-up effects during high charge operations.« less

Simulations of Beam Optics and Bremsstrahlung for High Intensity and Brightness Channeling Radiation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hyun, J.; Piot, P.; Sen, T.

This paper presents X-ray spectra of channeling radiation expected at the FAST (Fermi Accelerator Science and Technology) facility in Fermilab. Our purpose is to produce high brightness quasi-monochromatic X-rays in an energy range from 40 keV to 110 keV. We will use a diamond crystal and low emittance electrons with an energy of around 43 MeV. The quality of emitted X-rays depends on parameters of the electron beam at the crystal. We present simulations of the beam optics for high brightness and high yield operations for a range of bunch charges. We estimate the X-ray spectra including bremsstrahlung background. Wemore » discuss how the electron beam distributions after the diamond crystal are affected by channeling. Here, we discuss an X-ray detector system to avoid pile-up effects during high charge operations.« less

Simulations of Beam Optics and Bremsstrahlung for High Intensity and Brightness Channeling Radiation

DOE PAGES

Hyun, J.; Piot, P.; Sen, T.

2018-06-14

This paper presents X-ray spectra of channeling radiation expected at the FAST (Fermi Accelerator Science and Technology) facility in Fermilab. Our purpose is to produce high brightness quasi-monochromatic X-rays in an energy range from 40 keV to 110 keV. We will use a diamond crystal and low emittance electrons with an energy of around 43 MeV. The quality of emitted X-rays depends on parameters of the electron beam at the crystal. We present simulations of the beam optics for high brightness and high yield operations for a range of bunch charges. We estimate the X-ray spectra including bremsstrahlung background. Wemore » discuss how the electron beam distributions after the diamond crystal are affected by channeling. Here, we discuss an X-ray detector system to avoid pile-up effects during high charge operations.« less

Use of .sup.3 He.sup.30 + ICRF minority heating to simulate alpha particle heating

DOEpatents

Post, Jr., Douglass E.; Hwang, David Q.; Hovey, Jane

1986-04-22

Neutron activation due to high levels of neutron production in a first heated deuterium-tritium plasma is substantially reduced by using Ion Cyclotron Resonance Frequency (ICRF) heating of energetic .sup.3 He.sup.++ ions in a second deuterium-.sup.3 He.sup.++ plasma which exhibit an energy distribution and density similar to that of alpha particles in fusion reactor experiments to simulate fusion alpha particle heating in the first plasma. The majority of the fast .sup.3 He.sup.++ ions and their slowing down spectrum can be studied using either a modulated hydrogen beam source for producing excited states of He.sup.+ in combination with spectrometers or double charge exchange with a high energy neutral lithium beam and charged particle detectors at the plasma edge. The maintenance problems thus associated with neutron activation are substantially reduced permitting energetic alpha particle behavior to be studied in near term large fusion experiments.

GEM detector performance with innovative micro-TPC readout in high magnetic field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garzia, I.; Alexeev, M.; Amoroso, A.; Baldini Ferroli, R.; Bertani, M.; Bettoni, D.; Bianchi, F.; Calcaterra, A.; Canale, N.; Capodiferro, M.; Cassariti, V.; Cerioni, S.; Chai, J. Y.; Chiozzi, S.; Cibinetto, G.; Cossio, F.; Cotta Ramusino, A.; De Mori, F.; Destefanis, M.; Dong, J.; Evangelisti, F.; Evangelisti, F.; Farinelli, R.; Fava, L.; Felici, G.; Fioravanti, E.; Gatta, M.; Greco, M.; Lavezzi, L.; Leng, C. Y.; Li, H.; Maggiora, M.; Malaguti, R.; Marcello, S.; Melchiorri, M.; Mezzadri, G.; Mignone, M.; Morello, G.; Pacetti, S.; Patteri, P.; Pellegrino, J.; Pelosi, A.; Rivetti, A.; Rolo, M. D.; Savrié, M.; Scodeggio, M.; Soldani, E.; Sosio, S.; Spataro, S.; Tskhadadze, E.; Verma, S.; Wheadon, R.; Yan, L.

2018-01-01

Gas detector development is one of the pillars of the research in fundamental physics. Since several years, a new concept of detectors, called Micro Pattern Gas Detector (MPGD), allowed to overcome several problems related to other types of commonly used detectors, like drift chamber and micro strips detectors, reducing the rate of discharges and providing better radiation tolerance. Among the most used MPGDs are the Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs). Invented by Sauli in 1997, nowadays GEMs have become an important reality for particle detectors in high energy physics. Commonly deployed as fast timing detectors and triggers, their fast response, high rate capability and high radiation hardness make them also suitable as tracking detectors. The readout scheme is one of the most important features in tracking technology. Analog readout based on the calculation of the center of gravity technique allows to overcome the limit imposed by digital pads, whose spatial resolution is limited by the pitch dimensions. However, the presence of high external magnetic fields can distort the electronic cloud and affect the performance. The development of the micro-TPC reconstruction method brings GEM detectors into a new prospective, improving significantly the spatial resolutionin presence of high magnetic fields. This innovative technique allows to reconstruct the 3-dimensional particle position, as Time Projection Chamber, but within a drift gap of a few millimeters. In these report, the charge centroid and micro-TPC methods are described in details. We discuss the results of several test beams performed with planar chambers in magnetic field. These results are one of the first developments of micro-TPC technique for GEM detectors, which allows to reach unprecedented performance in a high magnetic field of 1 T.

Adaptive Wiener filter super-resolution of color filter array images.

PubMed

Karch, Barry K; Hardie, Russell C

2013-08-12

Digital color cameras using a single detector array with a Bayer color filter array (CFA) require interpolation or demosaicing to estimate missing color information and provide full-color images. However, demosaicing does not specifically address fundamental undersampling and aliasing inherent in typical camera designs. Fast non-uniform interpolation based super-resolution (SR) is an attractive approach to reduce or eliminate aliasing and its relatively low computational load is amenable to real-time applications. The adaptive Wiener filter (AWF) SR algorithm was initially developed for grayscale imaging and has not previously been applied to color SR demosaicing. Here, we develop a novel fast SR method for CFA cameras that is based on the AWF SR algorithm and uses global channel-to-channel statistical models. We apply this new method as a stand-alone algorithm and also as an initialization image for a variational SR algorithm. This paper presents the theoretical development of the color AWF SR approach and applies it in performance comparisons to other SR techniques for both simulated and real data.

Neural network Hilbert transform based filtered backprojection for fast inline x-ray inspection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janssens, Eline; De Beenhouwer, Jan; Van Dael, Mattias; De Schryver, Thomas; Van Hoorebeke, Luc; Verboven, Pieter; Nicolai, Bart; Sijbers, Jan

2018-03-01

X-ray imaging is an important tool for quality control since it allows to inspect the interior of products in a non-destructive way. Conventional x-ray imaging, however, is slow and expensive. Inline x-ray inspection, on the other hand, can pave the way towards fast and individual quality control, provided that a sufficiently high throughput can be achieved at a minimal cost. To meet these criteria, an inline inspection acquisition geometry is proposed where the object moves and rotates on a conveyor belt while it passes a fixed source and detector. Moreover, for this acquisition geometry, a new neural-network-based reconstruction algorithm is introduced: the neural network Hilbert transform based filtered backprojection. The proposed algorithm is evaluated both on simulated and real inline x-ray data and has shown to generate high quality reconstructions of 400  ×  400 reconstruction pixels within 200 ms, thereby meeting the high throughput criteria.

The ATLAS Simulation Infrastructure

DOE PAGES

Aad, G.; Abbott, B.; Abdallah, J.; ...

2010-09-25

The simulation software for the ATLAS Experiment at the Large Hadron Collider is being used for large-scale production of events on the LHC Computing Grid. This simulation requires many components, from the generators that simulate particle collisions, through packages simulating the response of the various detectors and triggers. All of these components come together under the ATLAS simulation infrastructure. In this paper, that infrastructure is discussed, including that supporting the detector description, interfacing the event generation, and combining the GEANT4 simulation of the response of the individual detectors. Also described are the tools allowing the software validation, performance testing, andmore » the validation of the simulated output against known physics processes.« less

Monte Carlo simulation of simultaneous radiation detection in the hybrid tomography system ClearPET-XPAD3/CT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dávila, H. Olaya; Sevilla, A. C.; Castro, H. F.; Martínez, S. A.

2016-07-01

Using the Geant4 based simulation framework SciFW1, a detailed simulation was performed for a detector array in the hybrid tomography prototype for small animals called ClearPET / XPAD, which was built in the Centre de Physique des Particules de Marseille. The detector system consists of an array of phoswich scintillation detectors: LSO (Lutetium Oxy-ortosilicate doped with cerium Lu2SiO5:Ce) and LuYAP (Lutetium Ortoaluminate of Yttrium doped with cerium Lu0.7Y0.3AlO3:Ce) for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and hybrid pixel detector XPAD for Computed Tomography (CT). Simultaneous acquisition of deposited energy and the corresponding time - position for each recorded event were analyzed, independently, for both detectors. interference between detection modules for PET and CT. Information about amount of radiation reaching each phoswich crystal and XPAD detector using a phantom in order to study the effectiveness by radiation attenuation and influence the positioning of the radioactive source 22Na was obtained. The simulation proposed will improve distribution of detectors rings and interference values will be taken into account in the new versions of detectors.

Detector-device-independent quantum key distribution: Security analysis and fast implementation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boaron, Alberto; Korzh, Boris; Houlmann, Raphael

One of the most pressing issues in quantum key distribution (QKD) is the problem of detector side-channel attacks. To overcome this problem, researchers proposed an elegant “time-reversal” QKD protocol called measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD), which is based on time-reversed entanglement swapping. But, MDI-QKD is more challenging to implement than standard point-to-point QKD. Recently, we proposed an intermediary QKD protocol called detector-device-independent QKD (DDI-QKD) in order to overcome the drawbacks of MDI-QKD, with the hope that it would eventually lead to a more efficient detector side-channel-free QKD system. We analyze the security of DDI-QKD and elucidate its security assumptions. We find thatmore » DDI-QKD is not equivalent to MDI-QKD, but its security can be demonstrated with reasonable assumptions. On the more practical side, we consider the feasibility of DDI-QKD and present a fast experimental demonstration (clocked at 625 MHz), capable of secret key exchange up to more than 90 km.« less

Detector-device-independent quantum key distribution: Security analysis and fast implementation

DOE PAGES

Boaron, Alberto; Korzh, Boris; Houlmann, Raphael; ...

2016-08-09

One of the most pressing issues in quantum key distribution (QKD) is the problem of detector side-channel attacks. To overcome this problem, researchers proposed an elegant “time-reversal” QKD protocol called measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD), which is based on time-reversed entanglement swapping. But, MDI-QKD is more challenging to implement than standard point-to-point QKD. Recently, we proposed an intermediary QKD protocol called detector-device-independent QKD (DDI-QKD) in order to overcome the drawbacks of MDI-QKD, with the hope that it would eventually lead to a more efficient detector side-channel-free QKD system. We analyze the security of DDI-QKD and elucidate its security assumptions. We find thatmore » DDI-QKD is not equivalent to MDI-QKD, but its security can be demonstrated with reasonable assumptions. On the more practical side, we consider the feasibility of DDI-QKD and present a fast experimental demonstration (clocked at 625 MHz), capable of secret key exchange up to more than 90 km.« less

Fast neutron measurement at Soudan Mine using a large liquid scintillation detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Chao; Mei, Dongming

2014-03-01

Characterizing neutron background is extremely important to the success of rare-event physics searching for neutrinoless double-beta decay and dark matter searches. Measuring the energy spectrum of fast neutrons for an underground laboratory is difficult and it requires intensive R&D for a given technology. EJ-301 liquid scintillator(known also as NE-213) is implemented as the target for a 12 liter neutron detector fabricated at the University of South Dakota. The light output response to atmospheric neutrons from a few MeV up to ~ 70 MeV has been calibrated for this detector. The detector has been taking data at Soudan Mine for over two years. We report the measured muon-induced neutrons in this paper. This work is supported in part by NSF PHY-0758120, PHYS-0919278, PHYS-0758120, PHYS-1242640, DOE grant DE-FG02-10ER46709, the Office of Research at the University of South Dakota and a 2010 research center support by the State of South Dakota.

Apparatus and method for temperature correction and expanded count rate of inorganic scintillation detectors

DOEpatents

Ianakiev, Kiril D [Los Alamos, NM; Hsue, Sin Tao [Santa Fe, NM; Browne, Michael C [Los Alamos, NM; Audia, Jeffrey M [Abiquiu, NM

2006-07-25

The present invention includes an apparatus and corresponding method for temperature correction and count rate expansion of inorganic scintillation detectors. A temperature sensor is attached to an inorganic scintillation detector. The inorganic scintillation detector, due to interaction with incident radiation, creates light pulse signals. A photoreceiver processes the light pulse signals to current signals. Temperature correction circuitry that uses a fast light component signal, a slow light component signal, and the temperature signal from the temperature sensor to corrected an inorganic scintillation detector signal output and expanded the count rate.

Monte Carlo Simulation of a Segmented Detector for Low-Energy Electron Antineutrinos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qomi, H. Akhtari; Safari, M. J.; Davani, F. Abbasi

2017-11-01

Detection of low-energy electron antineutrinos is of importance for several purposes, such as ex-vessel reactor monitoring, neutrino oscillation studies, etc. The inverse beta decay (IBD) is the interaction that is responsible for detection mechanism in (organic) plastic scintillation detectors. Here, a detailed study will be presented dealing with the radiation and optical transport simulation of a typical segmented antineutrino detector withMonte Carlo method using MCNPX and FLUKA codes. This study shows different aspects of the detector, benefiting from inherent capabilities of the Monte Carlo simulation codes.

CaloGAN: Simulating 3D high energy particle showers in multilayer electromagnetic calorimeters with generative adversarial networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paganini, Michela; de Oliveira, Luke; Nachman, Benjamin

2018-01-01

The precise modeling of subatomic particle interactions and propagation through matter is paramount for the advancement of nuclear and particle physics searches and precision measurements. The most computationally expensive step in the simulation pipeline of a typical experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the detailed modeling of the full complexity of physics processes that govern the motion and evolution of particle showers inside calorimeters. We introduce CaloGAN, a new fast simulation technique based on generative adversarial networks (GANs). We apply these neural networks to the modeling of electromagnetic showers in a longitudinally segmented calorimeter and achieve speedup factors comparable to or better than existing full simulation techniques on CPU (100 ×-1000 × ) and even faster on GPU (up to ˜105× ). There are still challenges for achieving precision across the entire phase space, but our solution can reproduce a variety of geometric shower shape properties of photons, positrons, and charged pions. This represents a significant stepping stone toward a full neural network-based detector simulation that could save significant computing time and enable many analyses now and in the future.

Tagged fast neutron beams En > 6 MeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Favela, F.; Huerta, A.; Santa Rita, P.; Ramos, A. T.; de Lucio, O.; Andrade, E.; Acosta, L.; Ortiz, M. E.; Araujo, V.; Murillo, G.; Policroniades, R.; Varela, A.; Chávez, E.

2015-07-01

Controlled flux of neutrons are produced through the 14N(d,n)15O nuclear reaction. Deuteron beams (2-4 MeV) are delivered by the CN-Van de Graaff accelerator and directed with full intensity to our Nitrogen target at SUGAR (SUpersonic GAs jet taRget). Each neutron is electronically tagged by the detection of the associated15O. Its energy and direction are known and "beams" of fast monochromatic tagged neutrons (En> 6 MeV) are available for basic research and applied work. MONDE is a large area (158 × 63 cm2) plastic scintillating slab (5 cm thick), viewed by 16 PMTs from the sides. Fast neutrons (MeV) entering the detector will produce a recoiling proton that induces a light spark at the spot. Signals from the 16 detectors are processed to deduce the position of the spark. Time logic signals from both the 15O detector and MONDE are combined to deduce a time of flight (TOF) signal. Finally, the position information together with the TOF yields the full momentum vector of each detected neutron.

Design and demonstration of ultra-fast W-band photonic transmitter-mixer and detectors for 25 Gbits/sec error-free wireless linking.

PubMed

Chen, Nan-Wei; Shi, Jin-Wei; Tsai, Hsuan-Ju; Wun, Jhih-Min; Kuo, Fong-Ming; Hesler, Jeffery; Crowe, Thomas W; Bowers, John E

2012-09-10

A 25 Gbits/s error-free on-off-keying (OOK) wireless link between an ultra high-speed W-band photonic transmitter-mixer (PTM) and a fast W-band envelope detector is demonstrated. At the transmission end, the high-speed PTM is developed with an active near-ballistic uni-traveling carrier photodiode (NBUTC-PD) integrated with broadband front-end circuitry via the flip-chip bonding technique. Compared to our previous work, the wireless data rate is significantly increased through the improvement on the bandwidth of the front-end circuitry together with the reduction of the intermediate-frequency (IF) driving voltage of the active NBUTC-PD. The demonstrated PTM has a record-wide IF modulation (DC-25 GHz) and optical-to-electrical fractional bandwidths (68-128 GHz, ~67%). At the receiver end, the demodulation is realized with an ultra-fast W-band envelope detector built with a zero-bias Schottky barrier diode with a record wide video bandwidth (37 GHz) and excellent sensitivity. The demonstrated PTM is expected to find applications in multi-gigabit short-range wireless communication.

Design and optimization of a novel 3D detector: The 3D-open-shell-electrode detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Manwen; Tan, Jian; Li, Zheng

2018-04-01

A new type of three-dimensional (3D) detector, namely 3D-Open-Shell-Electrode Detector (3DOSED), is proposed in this study. In a 3DOSED, the trench electrode can be etched all the way through the detector thickness, totally eliminating the low electric field region existed in the conventional 3D-Trench-Electrode detector. Full 3D technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulations have been done on this novel silicon detector structure. Through comparing of the simulation results of the detector, we can obtain the best design of the 3SOSED. In addition, simulation results show that, as compared to the conventional 3D detector, the proposed 3DOSED can improve not only detector charge collection efficiency but also its radiation hardness with regard to solving the trapping problem in the detector bulk. What is more, it has been shown that detector full depletion voltage is also slightly reduced, which can improve the utility aspects of the detector. When compared to the conventional 3D detector, we find that the proposed novel 3DOSED structure has better electric potential and electric field distributions, and better electrical properties such as detector full depletion voltage. In 3DOSED array, each pixel cell is isolated from each other by highly doped trenches, but also electrically and physically connected with each other through the remaining silicon bulk between broken electrodes.

Fiber optic thermal/fast neutron and gamma ray scintillation detector

DOEpatents

Neal, John S.; Mihalczo, John T

2007-10-30

A system for detecting fissile and fissionable material originating external to the system includes: a .sup.6Li loaded glass fiber scintillator for detecting thermal neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays; a fast scintillator for detecting fast neutrons, x-rays and gamma rays, the fast scintillator conjoined with the glass fiber scintillator such that the fast scintillator moderates fast neutrons prior to their detection as thermal neutrons by the glass fiber scintillator; and a coincidence detection system for processing the time distributions of arriving signals from the scintillators.

Used fuel storage monitoring using novel 4He scintillation fast neutron detectors and neutron energy discrimination analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelley, Ryan P.

With an increasing quantity of spent nuclear fuel being stored at power plants across the United States, the demand exists for a new method of cask monitoring. Certifying these casks for transportation and long-term storage is a unique dilemma: their sealed nature lends added security, but at the cost of requiring non-invasive measurement techniques to verify their contents. This research will design and develop a new method of passively scanning spent fuel casks using 4He scintillation detectors to make this process more accurate. 4He detectors are a relatively new technological development whose full capabilities have not yet been exploited. These detectors take advantage of the high 4He cross section for elastic scattering at fast neutron energies, particularly the resonance around 1 MeV. If one of these elastic scattering interactions occurs within the detector, the 4He nucleus takes energy from the incident neutron, then de-excites by scintillation. Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs) at either end of the detector tube convert this emitted light into an electrical signal. The goal of this research is to use the neutron spectroscopy features of 4He scintillation detectors to maintain accountability of spent fuel in storage. This project will support spent fuel safeguards and the detection of fissile material, in order to minimize the risk of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.

Optimization of Shielding- Collimator Parameters for ING-27 Neutron Generator Using MCNP5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hegazy, Aya Hamdy; Skoy, V. R.; Hossny, K.

2018-04-01

Neutron generators are now used in various fields. They produce only fast neutrons; D-D neutron generator produces 2.45 MeV neutrons and D-T produces 14.1 MeV neutrons. In order to optimize shielding-collimator parameters to achieve higher neutron flux at the investigated sample (The signal) with lower neutron and gamma rays flux at the area of the detectors, design iterations are widely used. This work was applied to ROMASHA setup, TANGRA project, FLNP, Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The studied parameters were; (1) shielding-collimator material, (2) Distance between the shielding-collimator assembly first plate and center of the neutron beam, and (3) thickness of collimator sheets. MCNP5 was used to simulate ROMASHA setup after it was validated on the experimental results of irradiation of Carbon-12 sample for one hour to detect its 4.44 MeV characteristic gamma line. The ratio between the signal and total neutron flux that enters each detector was calculated and plotted, concluding that the optimum shielding-collimator assembly is Tungsten of 5 cm thickness for each plate, and a distance of 2.3 cm. Also, the ratio between the signal and total gamma rays flux was calculated and plotted for each detector, leading to the previous conclusion but the distance was 1 cm.

Determining the spatial altitude of the hydraulic fractures.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khamiev, Marsel; Kosarev, Victor; Goncharova, Galina

2016-04-01

Mathematical modeling and numerical simulation are the most widely used approaches for the solving geological problems. They imply software tools which are based on Monte Carlo method. The results of this project presents shows the possibility of using PNL tool to determine fracturing location. The modeled media is a homogeneous rock (limestone) cut by a vertical borehole (d=216 mm) with metal casing 9 mm thick. The cement sheath is 35 mm thick. The borehole is filled with fresh water. The rock mass is cut by crack, filled with a mixture of doped (gadolinium oxide Gd2O3) proppant (75%) and water (25%). A pulse neutron logging (PNL) tool is used for quality control in hydraulic fracturing operations. It includes a fast neutron source (so-called "neutron generator") and a set of thermal (or epithermal) neutron-sensing devices, forming the so-called near (ND) and far (FD) detectors. To evaluate neutron properties various segments (sectors) of the rock mass, the detector must register only neutrons that come from this very formation. It's possible if detecting block includes some (6 for example) thermal neutron detectors arranged circumferentially inside the tool. As a result we get few independent well logs, each accords with define rock sector. Afterwards synthetic logs processing we can determine spatial position of the hydraulic fracture.

The AMoRE: Search for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay in 100Mo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, HyangKyu; AMoRE Collaboration

2016-04-01

The AMoRE (Advanced Mo-based Rare process Experiment) collaboration is going to use calcium molybdate, 40Ca100MoO4 (CMO), crystal scintillators enriched in 100Mo and depleted in 48Ca to search for neutrinoless double-beta (0 νββ) decay of 100Mo using a technique of cryogenic scintillating bolometers at the underground laboratory in Korea. The collaboration is going to utilize metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMC) as temperature sensors both in heat and light channels of CMO detectors operated at milli-Kelvin temperature. Application of relatively fast MMC sensors provides excellent energy resolution, powerful discrimination of internal alpha particles, effective pulse-shape discrimination of randomly coinciding events of two-neutrino double-beta decay of 100Mo. In its first phase, the AMoRE-10 will use about 10 kg of CMO crystals. As a next step, the AMoRE-200 is going to build about 200 kg detector to reach a half-life sensitivity on the level of 1026 years with an aim to explore inverted hierarchy region of the effective Majorana neutrino mass 0.02 - 0.05 eV. Recent progress on the calcium molybdate detectors developments at room and milli-Kelvin temperatures as well as background study based on Monte Carlo simulations will be presented.

Performance simulation of a detector for 4th generation photon sources: The AGIPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potdevin, G.; Trunk, U.; Graafsma, H.; Agipd Consortium

2009-08-01

Future 4th generation photon sources, such as the European XFEL based in Hamburg, will deliver around 1012 X-ray photons in less than 100 fs with full lateral coherence. These new sources will offer unprecedented possibilities in photon science. The high peak brilliance, combined with a 5 MHz repetition rate poses very high demands for the 2D detectors. In order to provide appropriate detectors during XFEL startup, three dedicated development projects have been initiated, one of them being the Adaptive Gain Integrating Pixel Detector (AGIPD) project which is a collaborative effort between DESY, PSI, University of Bonn, and University of Hamburg. An essential part of the AGIPD project is the development of a simulation tool for the complete detection system. The simulation tool as well as preliminary simulations of the detector characteristics is presented.

TH-AB-207A-07: Radiation Dose Simulation for a Newly Proposed Dynamic Bowtie Filters for CT Using Fast Monte Carlo Methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, T; Lin, H; Gao, Y

Purpose: Dynamic bowtie filter is an innovative design capable of modulating the X-ray and balancing the flux in the detectors, and it introduces a new way of patient-specific CT scan optimizations. This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing fast Monte Carlo dose calculation for a type of dynamic bowtie filter for cone-beam CT (Liu et al. 2014 9(7) PloS one) using MIC coprocessors. Methods: The dynamic bowtie filter in question consists of a highly attenuating bowtie component (HB) and a weakly attenuating bowtie (WB). The HB is filled with CeCl3 solution and its surface is defined by a transcendental equation.more » The WB is an elliptical cylinder filled with air and immersed in the HB. As the scanner rotates, the orientation of WB remains the same with the static patient. In our Monte Carlo simulation, the HB was approximated by 576 boxes. The phantom was a voxelized elliptical cylinder composed of PMMA and surrounded by air (44cm×44cm×40cm, 1000×1000×1 voxels). The dose to the PMMA phantom was tallied with 0.15% statistical uncertainty under 100 kVp source. Two Monte Carlo codes ARCHER and MCNP-6.1 were compared. Both used double-precision. Compiler flags that may trade accuracy for speed were avoided. Results: The wall time of the simulation was 25.4 seconds by ARCHER on a 5110P MIC, 40 seconds on a X5650 CPU, and 523 seconds by the multithreaded MCNP on the same CPU. The high performance of ARCHER is attributed to the parameterized geometry and vectorization of the program hotspots. Conclusion: The dynamic bowtie filter modeled in this study is able to effectively reduce the dynamic range of the detected signals for the photon-counting detectors. With appropriate software optimization methods, the accelerator-based (MIC and GPU) Monte Carlo dose engines have shown good performance and can contribute to patient-specific CT scan optimizations.« less

MCNP6 simulation of radiographs generated from megaelectron volt X-rays for characterizing a computed tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dooraghi, Alex A.; Tringe, Joseph W.

2018-04-01

To evaluate conventional munition, we simulated an x-ray computed tomography (CT) system for generating radiographs from nominal x-ray energies of 6 or 9 megaelectron volts (MeV). CT simulations, informed by measured data, allow for optimization of both system design and acquisition techniques necessary to enhance image quality. MCNP6 radiographic simulation tools were used to model ideal detector responses (DR) that assume either (1) a detector response proportional to photon flux (N) or (2) a detector response proportional to energy flux (E). As scatter may become significant with MeV x-ray systems, simulations were performed with and without the inclusion of object scatter. Simulations were compared against measurements of a cylindrical munition component principally composed of HMX, tungsten and aluminum encased in carbon fiber. Simulations and measurements used a 6 MeV peak energy x-ray spectrum filtered with 3.175 mm of tantalum. A detector response proportional to energy which includes object scatter agrees to within 0.6 % of the measured line integral of the linear attenuation coefficient. Exclusion of scatter increases the difference between measurement and simulation to 5 %. A detector response proportional to photon flux agrees to within 20 % when object scatter is included in the simulation and 27 % when object scatter is excluded.

A fast and compact electromagnetic calorimeter for the PANDA detector at FAIR

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wilms, Andrea

2005-10-26

In this presentation we report on the electromagnetic calorimeter of the 4{pi} detector PANDA to be installed at the antiproton storage ring of the proposed Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR). We present details of the R and D work with two scintillator materials, PbWO4 (PWO) and BGO, and the new developed large area avalanche photodiodes (LAAPDs) as detector readout.

Liquid scintillator composition optimization for use in ultra-high energy cosmic ray detector systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beznosko, Dmitriy; Batyrkhanov, Ayan; Iakovlev, Alexander; Yelshibekov, Khalykbek

2017-06-01

The Horizon-T (HT) detector system and the currently under R&D HT-KZ detector system are designed for the detection of Extensive Air Showers (EAS) with energies above ˜1016 eV (˜1017 eV for HT-KZ). The main challenges in both detector systems are the fast time resolutions needed for studying the temporary structure of EAS, and the extremely wide dynamic range needed to study the spatial distribution of charged particles in EAS disks. In order to detect the low-density of charged particles far from the EAS axis, a large-area detector is needed. Liquid scintillator with low cost would be a possible solution for such a detector, including the recently developed safe and low-cost water-based liquid scintillators. Liquid organic scintillators give a fast and high light yield (LY) for charged particle detection. It is similar to plastic scintillator in properties but is cost effective for large volumes. With liquid scintillator, one can create detection volumes that are symmetric and yet retain high LY detection. Different wavelength shifters affect the scintillation light by changing the output spectrum into the best detection region. Results of the latest studies of the components optimization in the liquid scintillator formulae are presented.

CAD tools for detector design

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Womersley, J.; DiGiacomo, N.; Killian, K.

1990-04-01

Detailed detector design has traditionally been divided between engineering optimization for structural integrity and subsequent physicist evaluation. The availability of CAD systems for engineering design enables the tasks to be integrated by providing tools for particle simulation within the CAD system. We believe this will speed up detector design and avoid problems due to the late discovery of shortcomings in the detector. This could occur because of the slowness of traditional verification techniques (such as detailed simulation with GEANT). One such new particle simulation tool is described. It is being used with the I-DEAS CAD package for SSC detector designmore » at Martin-Marietta Astronautics and is to be released through the SSC Laboratory.« less

Effect of the fissile bead's and thermocouple wires' sizes on the response time of a fission couple.

PubMed

Liang, Wenfeng; Lu, Yi; Li, Meng; Fan, Xiaoqiang; Lu, Wei

2014-05-01

The fission couple is proposed as a fast response miniature neutron detector in the measurement of time dependent energy depositions within the fissile material based on theoretical analysis, but the response time of a fission couple is relatively slow in practice. The time lag originated from heat transfer process was demonstrated to be the dominating factor by theoretical simulations and experimental verification in this paper. The response of a fission couple as a function of the bead size and the thermocouple wires' sizes are simulated using ANSYS workbench. The decrease of wires' diameter results in the decrease of response time, and the increase of bead's diameter leads to a slight increase of response time. During a pulse heating transient in the fuel of Chinese Fast Burst Reactor II with a FWHM of 181 μs, the time lag originated from heat transfer process is about tens of microseconds for the peaks of the change rate of temperature, and is of the order of milliseconds to achieve 85% of the temperature rise for a typical fission couple with a Φ 1 mm fissile bead and two Φ 0.05 mm thermocouple wires. The results obtained provide foundation for the optimization of fission couples.

Effect of the fissile bead's and thermocouple wires’ sizes on the response time of a fission couple

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liang, Wenfeng, E-mail: liang-wen-feng@163.com; Lu, Yi; Li, Meng

The fission couple is proposed as a fast response miniature neutron detector in the measurement of time dependent energy depositions within the fissile material based on theoretical analysis, but the response time of a fission couple is relatively slow in practice. The time lag originated from heat transfer process was demonstrated to be the dominating factor by theoretical simulations and experimental verification in this paper. The response of a fission couple as a function of the bead size and the thermocouple wires’ sizes are simulated using ANSYS workbench. The decrease of wires’ diameter results in the decrease of response time,more » and the increase of bead's diameter leads to a slight increase of response time. During a pulse heating transient in the fuel of Chinese Fast Burst Reactor II with a FWHM of 181μs, the time lag originated from heat transfer process is about tens of microseconds for the peaks of the change rate of temperature, and is of the order of milliseconds to achieve 85% of the temperature rise for a typical fission couple with a Φ 1 mm fissile bead and two Φ 0.05 mm thermocouple wires. The results obtained provide foundation for the optimization of fission couples.« less

COMPARISON STUDY OF VARIOUS PLASTICS AS THE WALL MATERIAL OF THGEM-BASED MICRODOSEMETERS FOR FAST NEUTRON MEASUREMENTS.

PubMed

Moslehi, A; Raisali, G; Lamehi, M

2017-04-15

To find appropriate substitutions for the expensive plastics of A-150 and rexolite used in the construction of thick gas electron multiplier (THGEM)-based tissue-equivalent proportional counters, in the present work, the responses of a THGEM-based microdosimetric detector made of A-150 and rexolite and three others composed of plexiglas (PMMA), polyethylene and polystyrene plastics as the wall materials have been compared. Lineal energy distribution, frequency-averaged lineal energy, dose-averaged lineal energy, mean quality factor and dose-equivalent for 0.1, 1 and 10 MeV neutrons and also for 241Am-Be neutrons are calculated using Geant4 simulation toolkit. Frequency-averaged lineal energy, dose-averaged lineal energy, mean quality factor and dose-equivalent values for all plastics are found similar. In addition, the response of an indigenously constructed microdosemeter with PMMA walls is also measured for 241Am-Be neutrons. The experimental results are in good agreement with the simulation predictions. Conclusively, it was found that the three considered plastics can be used as good candidates instead of A-150 and rexolite plastics in fast neutron microdosimetry. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Faraday-cup-type lost fast ion detector on Heliotron J.

PubMed

Yamamoto, S; Ogawa, K; Isobe, M; Darrow, D S; Kobayashi, S; Nagasaki, K; Okada, H; Minami, T; Kado, S; Ohshima, S; Weir, G M; Nakamura, Y; Konoshima, S; Kemmochi, N; Ohtani, Y; Mizuuchi, T

2016-11-01

A Faraday-cup type lost-fast ion probe (FLIP) has been designed and installed in Heliotron J for the purpose of the studies of interaction between fast ions and MHD instabilities. The FLIP can measure the co-going fast ions whose energy is in the range of 1.7-42.5 keV (proton) and pitch angle of 90 ∘ -140 ∘ , especially for fast ions having the injection energy of neutral beam injection (NBI). The FLIP successfully measured the re-entering passing ions and trapped lost-fast ions caused by fast-ion-driven energetic particle modes in NBI heated plasmas.

Monte Carlo simulation of the full energy peak efficiency of an HPGe detector.

PubMed

Khan, Waseem; Zhang, Qingmin; He, Chaohui; Saleh, Muhammad

2018-01-01

This paper presents a Monte Carlo method to obtain the full energy peak efficiency (FEPE) curve for a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector, as it is difficult and time-consuming to measure the FEPE curve experimentally. The Geant4 simulation toolkit was adopted to establish a detector model since detector specifications provided by the nominal manufacturer are usually insufficient to calculate the accurate efficiency of a detector. Several detector parameters were optimized. FEPE curves for a given HPGe detectors over the energy range of 59.50-1836keV were obtained and showed good agreements with those measured experimentally. FEPE dependences on detector parameters and source-detector distances were investigated. A best agreement with experimental result was achieved for a certain detector geometry and source-detector distance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SU-F-BRE-01: A Rapid Method to Determine An Upper Limit On a Radiation Detector's Correction Factor During the QA of IMRT Plans

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kamio, Y; Bouchard, H

2014-06-15

Purpose: Discrepancies in the verification of the absorbed dose to water from an IMRT plan using a radiation dosimeter can be wither caused by 1) detector specific nonstandard field correction factors as described by the formalism of Alfonso et al. 2) inaccurate delivery of the DQA plan. The aim of this work is to develop a simple/fast method to determine an upper limit on the contribution of composite field correction factors to these discrepancies. Methods: Indices that characterize the non-flatness of the symmetrised collapsed delivery (VSC) of IMRT fields over detector-specific regions of interest were shown to be correlated withmore » IMRT field correction factors. The indices introduced are the uniformity index (UI) and the mean fluctuation index (MF). Each one of these correlation plots have 10 000 fields generated with a stochastic model. A total of eight radiation detectors were investigated in the radial orientation. An upper bound on the correction factors was evaluated by fitting values of high correction factors for a given index value. Results: These fitted curves can be used to compare the performance of radiation dosimeters in composite IMRT fields. Highly water-equivalent dosimeters like the scintillating detector (Exradin W1) and a generic alanine detector have been found to have corrections under 1% over a broad range of field modulations (0 – 0.12 for MF and 0 – 0.5 for UI). Other detectors have been shown to have corrections of a few percent over this range. Finally, a full Monte Carlo simulations of 18 clinical and nonclinical IMRT field showed good agreement with the fitted curve for the A12 ionization chamber. Conclusion: This work proposes a rapid method to evaluate an upper bound on the contribution of correction factors to discrepancies found in the verification of DQA plans.« less

γ{\\hbox-}Flash suppression using a gated photomultiplier assembled with an LaBr3(Ce) detector to measure fast neutron capture reactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hara, K. Y.; Harada, H.; Toh, Y.; Hori, J.

2013-09-01

A gated photomultiplier tube (PMT) assembled with an LaBr3(Ce) detector was applied toward the prompt γ{hbox-}ray measurement of fast neutron capture reactions. Time-of-flight measurements of the neutron capture reactions of Cl and Al were performed using the 46-MeV electron linear accelerator at the Kyoto University Research Reactor Institute (KURRI) as a pulsed neutron source. The photomultiplier gating technique effectively suppressed the saturation of the PMT output and extended the energy region of the TOF measurement.

Fast gas spectroscopy using pulsed quantum cascade lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beyer, T.; Braun, M.; Lambrecht, A.

2003-03-01

Laser spectroscopy has found many industrial applications, e.g., control of automotive exhaust and process monitoring. The midinfrared region is of special interest because it has stronger absorption lines compared to the near infrared (NIR). However, in the NIR high quality reliable laser sources, detectors, and passive optical components are available. A quantum cascade laser could change this situation if fundamental advantages can be exploited with compact and reliable systems. It will be shown that, using pulsed lasers and available fast detectors, lower residual sensitivity levels than in corresponding NIR systems can be achieved. The stability is sufficient for industrial applications.

Upgrades for the CMS simulation

DOE PAGES

Lange, D. J.; Hildreth, M.; Ivantchenko, V. N.; ...

2015-05-22

Over the past several years, the CMS experiment has made significant changes to its detector simulation application. The geometry has been generalized to include modifications being made to the CMS detector for 2015 operations, as well as model improvements to the simulation geometry of the current CMS detector and the implementation of a number of approved and possible future detector configurations. These include both completely new tracker and calorimetry systems. We have completed the transition to Geant4 version 10, we have made significant progress in reducing the CPU resources required to run our Geant4 simulation. These have been achieved throughmore » both technical improvements and through numerical techniques. Substantial speed improvements have been achieved without changing the physics validation benchmarks that the experiment uses to validate our simulation application for use in production. As a result, we will discuss the methods that we implemented and the corresponding demonstrated performance improvements deployed for our 2015 simulation application.« less

Simulation-Based Validation for Four-Dimensional Multi-Channel Ultrasound Current Source Density Imaging

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhaohui; Witte, Russell S.

2015-01-01

Ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI), which has application to the heart and brain, exploits the acoustoelectric (AE) effect and Ohm's law to detect and map an electrical current distribution. In this study, we describe 4-D UCSDI simulations of a dipole field for comparison and validation with bench-top experiments. The simulations consider the properties of the ultrasound pulse as it passes through a conductive medium, the electric field of the injected dipole, and the lead field of the detectors. In the simulation, the lead fields of detectors and electric field of the dipole were calculated by the finite element (FE) method, and the convolution and correlation in the computation of the detected AE voltage signal were accelerated using 3-D fast Fourier transforms. In the bench-top experiment, an electric dipole was produced in a bath of 0.9% NaCl solution containing two electrodes, which injected an ac pulse (200 Hz, 3 cycles) ranging from 0 to 140 mA. Stimulating and recording electrodes were placed in a custom electrode chamber made on a rapid prototype printer. Each electrode could be positioned anywhere on an x-y grid (5 mm spacing) and individually adjusted in the depth direction for precise control of the geometry of the current sources and detecting electrodes. A 1-MHz ultrasound beam was pulsed and focused through a plastic film to modulate the current distribution inside the saline-filled tank. AE signals were simultaneously detected at a sampling frequency of 15 MHz on multiple recording electrodes. A single recording electrode is sufficient to form volume images of the current flow and electric potentials. The AE potential is sensitive to the distance from the dipole, but is less sensitive to the angle between the detector and the dipole. Multi-channel UCSDI potentially improves 4-D mapping of bioelectric sources in the body at high spatial resolution, which is especially important for diagnosing and guiding treatment of cardiac and neurologic disorders, including arrhythmia and epilepsy. PMID:24569247

Fast Neutron Detection using Pixelated CdZnTe Spectrometers

DOE PAGES

Streicher, Michael; Goodman, David; Zhu, Yuefeng; ...

2017-05-29

One important important signature of special nuclear materials (SNM) are fast neutrons. Fast neutrons have a low natural background rate and readily penetrate high atomic number materials which easily shield gamma-ray signatures. Thus, fast neutrons provide a complementary signal to gamma rays for detecting shielded SNM. Scattering kinematics dictate that a large nucleus (such as Cd or Te) will recoil with small kinetic energy after an elastic collision with a fast neutron. Charge carrier recombination and quenching further reduce the recorded energy deposited. Thus, the energy threshold of CdZnTe detectors must be very low in order to sense the smallmore » signals from these recoils. Here, the threshold was reduced to less than 5 keVee to demonstrate that the 5.9 keV x-ray line from 55Fe could be separated from electronic noise. Elastic scattering neutron interactions were observed as small energy depositions (less than 20 keVee) using digitally-sampled pulse waveforms from pixelated CdZnTe detectors. Characteristic gamma-ray lines from inelastic neutron scattering were also observed.« less

Gamma ray measurements with photoconductive detectors using a dense plasma focus.

PubMed

May, M J; Brown, G V; Halvorson, C; Schmidt, A; Bower, D; Tran, B; Lewis, P; Hagen, C

2014-11-01

Photons in the MeV range emitted from the dense plasma focus (DPF) at the NSTec North Las Vegas Facility have been measured with both neutron-damaged GaAs and natural diamond photoconductive detectors (PCDs). The DPF creates or "pinches" plasmas of various gases (e.g., H2, D2, Ne, Ar., etc.) that have enough energy to create MeV photons from either bremsstrahlung and/or (n,n(')) reactions if D2 gas is used. The high bandwidth of the PCDs enabled the first ever measurement of the fast micro-pinches present in DPF plasmas. Comparisons between a slower more conventional scintillator/photomultiplier tube based nuclear physics detectors were made to validate the response of the PCDs to fast intense MeV photon signals. Significant discrepancies in the diamond PCD responses were evident.

First principles pulse pile-up balance equation and fast deterministic solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabbatucci, Lorenzo; Fernández, Jorge E.

2017-08-01

Pulse pile-up (PPU) is an always present effect which introduces a distortion into the spectrum measured with radiation detectors and that worsen with the increasing emission rate of the radiation source. It is fully ascribable to the pulse handling circuitry of the detector and it is not comprised in the detector response function which is well explained by a physical model. The PPU changes both the number and the height of the recorded pulses, which are related, respectively, with the number of detected particles and their energy. In the present work, it is derived a first principles balance equation for second order PPU to obtain a post-processing correction to apply to X-ray measurements. The balance equation is solved for the particular case of rectangular pulse shape using a deterministic iterative procedure for which it will be shown the convergence. The proposed method, deterministic rectangular PPU (DRPPU), requires minimum amount of information and, as example, it is applied to a solid state Si detector with active or off-line PPU suppression circuitry. A comparison shows that the results obtained with this fast and simple approach are comparable to those from the more sophisticated procedure using precise detector pulse shapes.

A simple procedure for γ- γ lifetime measurements using multi-element fast-timing arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Régis, J.-M.; Dannhoff, M.; Jolie, J.

2018-07-01

The lifetimes of nuclear excited states are important observables in nuclear physics. Their precise measurement is of key importance for developing and testing nuclear models as they are directly linked with the quantum nature of the nuclear system. The γ- γ timing technique represents a direct lifetime determination by means of time-difference measurements between the γ rays which directly feed and decay from a nuclear excited state. Using arrays of very-fast scintillator detectors, picosecond-sensitive time-difference measurements can be performed. We propose to construct a symmetric energy-energy-time cube as is usually done to perform γ- γ coincidence analyses and lifetime determination with high-resolution germanium detectors. By construction, a symmetric mean time-walk characteristics is obtained, that can be precisely determined and used as a single time correction for all the data independently of the detectors. We present the results of timing characteristics measurements of an array with six LaBr3(Ce) detectors, as obtained using a 152Eu point γ-ray source. Compared with a single detector pair, the time resolution of the symmetrised time-difference spectra of the array is nearly unaffected.

The TORCH detector R&D: Status and perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gys, T.; Brook, N.; García, L. Castillo; Cussans, D.; Föhl, K.; Forty, R.; Frei, C.; Gao, R.; Harnew, N.; Piedigrossi, D.; Rademacker, J.; García, A. Ros; van Dijk, M.

2017-12-01

TORCH (Timing Of internally Reflected CHerenkov photons) is a time-of-flight detector for particle identification at low momentum. It has been originally proposed for the LHCb experiment upgrade. TORCH is using plates of quartz radiator in a modular design. A fraction of the Cherenkov photons produced by charged particles passing through this radiator propagate by total internal reflection, they emerge at the edges and are subsequently focused onto fast, position-sensitive single-photon detectors. The recorded position and arrival time of the photons are used to precisely reconstruct their trajectory and propagation time in the quartz. The on-going R&D programme aims at demonstrating the TORCH basic concept through the realization of a full detector module and has been organized on the following main development lines: micro-channel plate photon detectors featuring the required granularity and lifetime, dedicated fast front-end electronics preserving the picosecond timing information provided by single photons, and high-quality quartz radiator and focussing optics minimizing photon losses. The present paper reports on the TORCH results successfully achieved in the laboratory and in charged particle beam tests. It will also introduce the latest developments towards a final full-scale module prototype.

Impact of detector simulation in particle physics collider experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniel Elvira, V.

2017-06-01

Through the last three decades, accurate simulation of the interactions of particles with matter and modeling of detector geometries has proven to be of critical importance to the success of the international high-energy physics (HEP) experimental programs. For example, the detailed detector modeling and accurate physics of the Geant4-based simulation software of the CMS and ATLAS particle physics experiments at the European Center of Nuclear Research (CERN) Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was a determinant factor for these collaborations to deliver physics results of outstanding quality faster than any hadron collider experiment ever before. This review article highlights the impact of detector simulation on particle physics collider experiments. It presents numerous examples of the use of simulation, from detector design and optimization, through software and computing development and testing, to cases where the use of simulation samples made a difference in the precision of the physics results and publication turnaround, from data-taking to submission. It also presents estimates of the cost and economic impact of simulation in the CMS experiment. Future experiments will collect orders of magnitude more data with increasingly complex detectors, taxing heavily the performance of simulation and reconstruction software. Consequently, exploring solutions to speed up simulation and reconstruction software to satisfy the growing demand of computing resources in a time of flat budgets is a matter that deserves immediate attention. The article ends with a short discussion on the potential solutions that are being considered, based on leveraging core count growth in multicore machines, using new generation coprocessors, and re-engineering HEP code for concurrency and parallel computing.

75 FR 82372 - Application(s) for Duty-Free Entry of Scientific Instruments

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-30

..., Argonne LLC, 9700 South Cass Ave., Lemont, IL 60439. Instrument: Pilatus 100K Pixel Detector System... efficiency (no readout noise and direct detection scheme), high dynamic range (20-bits), and fast readout.... Instrument: Pilatus 300K Pixel Detector System. Manufacturer: Dectris Ltd., Switzerland. Intended Use: The...

The Application of High Energy Resolution Green's Functions to Threat Scenario Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thoreson, Gregory G.; Schneider, Erich A.

2012-04-01

Radiation detectors installed at key interdiction points provide defense against nuclear smuggling attempts by scanning vehicles and traffic for illicit nuclear material. These hypothetical threat scenarios may be modeled using radiation transport simulations. However, high-fidelity models are computationally intensive. Furthermore, the range of smuggler attributes and detector technologies create a large problem space not easily overcome by brute-force methods. Previous research has demonstrated that decomposing the scenario into independently simulated components using Green's functions can simulate photon detector signals with coarse energy resolution. This paper extends this methodology by presenting physics enhancements and numerical treatments which allow for an arbitrary level of energy resolution for photon transport. As a result, spectroscopic detector signals produced from full forward transport simulations can be replicated while requiring multiple orders of magnitude less computation time.

DQE simulation of a-Se x-ray detectors using ARTEMIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Yuan; Badano, Aldo

2016-03-01

Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) is one of the most important image quality metrics for evaluating the spatial resolution performance of flat-panel x-ray detectors. In this work, we simulate the DQE of amorphous selenium (a-Se) xray detectors with a detailed Monte Carlo transport code (ARTEMIS) for modeling semiconductor-based direct x-ray detectors. The transport of electron-hole pairs is achieved with a spatiotemporal model that accounts for recombination and trapping of carriers and Coulombic effects of space charge and external applied electric field. A range of x-ray energies has been simulated from 10 to 100 keV. The DQE results can be used to study the spatial resolution characteristics of detectors at different energies.

Experimental Measurements at the MASURCA Facility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assal, W.; Bosq, J. C.; Mellier, F.

2012-12-01

Dedicated to the neutronics studies of fast and semi-fast reactor lattices, MASURCA (meaning “mock-up facility for fast breeder reactor studies at CADARACHE”) is an airflow cooled fast reactor operating at a maximum power of 5 kW playing an important role in the CEA research activities. At this facility, a lot of neutron integral experimental programs were undertaken. The purpose of this poster is to show a panorama of the facility from this experimental measurement point of view. A hint at the forthcoming refurbishment will be included. These programs include various experimental measurements (reactivity, distributions of fluxes, reaction rates), performed essentially with fission chambers, in accordance with different methods (noise methods, radial or axial traverses, rod drops) and involving several devices systems (monitors, fission chambers, amplifiers, power supplies, data acquisition systems ...). For this purpose are implemented electronics modules to shape the signals sent from the detectors in various mode (fluctuation, pulse, current). All the electric and electronic devices needed for these measurements and the relating wiring will be fully explained through comprehensive layouts. Data acquired during counting performed at the time of startup phase or rod drops are analyzed by the mean of a Neutronic Measurement Treatment (TMN in French) programmed on the basis of the MATLAB software. This toolbox gives the opportunity of data files management, reactivity valuation from neutronics measurements and transient or divergence simulation at zero power. Particular TMN using at MASURCA will be presented.

IR detection and energy harvesting using antenna coupled MIM tunnel diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yesilkoy, Filiz

The infrared (IR) spectrum lies between the microwave and optical frequency ranges, which are well suited for communication and energy harvesting purposes, respectively. The long wavelength IR (LWIR) spectrum, corresponding to wavelengths from 8microm to 15microm, includes the thermal radiation emitted by objects at room temperature and the Earth's terrestrial radiation. Therefore, LWIR detectors are very appealing for thermal imaging purposes. Thermal detectors developed so far either demand cryogenic operation for fast detection, or they rely on the accumulation of thermal energy in their mass and subsequent measurable changes in material properties. Therefore, they are relatively slow. Quantum detectors allow for tunable and instantaneous detection but are expensive and require complex processes for fabrication. Bolometer detectors are simple and cheap but do not allow for tunability or for rapid detection. Harvesting the LWIR radiation energy sourced by the Earth's heating/cooling cycle is very important for the development of mobile energy resources. While speed is not as significant an issue here, conversion efficiency is an eminent problem for cheap, large area energy transduction. This dissertation addresses the development of tunable, fast, and low cost wave detectors that can operate at room temperature and, when produced in large array format, can harvest Earth's terrestrial radiation energy. This dissertation demonstrates the design, fabrication and testing of Antenna Coupled Metal-Insulator-Metal (ACMIM) tunnel diodes optimized for 10microm wavelength radiation detection. ACMIM tunnel diodes operate as electromagnetic wave detectors: the incident radiation is coupled by an antenna and converted into a 30 terahertz signal that is rectified by a fast tunneling MIM diode. For efficient IR radiation coupling, the antenna geometry and its critical dimensions are studied using a commercial finite-element based multi-physics simulation tool, and the half-wave dipole-like bow-tie antennas are fabricated using simulation-optimized geometries. The major challenge of this work is designing and fabricating MIM diodes and coupled antennas with internal capacitances and resistances small enough to allow response in the desired frequency range (˜30 THz) and yet capable of efficiently coupling to the incident radiation. It is crucial to keep the RC time constant of the tunnel junction small to achieve the requisite cut-off frequency and adequate rectification efficiency. Moreover, a low junction resistance is necessary to load the coupled AC power across the MIM junction. For energy harvesting applications, the device has to operate without an external bias, which requires asymmetry at the zero bias operation point. To address these requirements, the MIM tunnel junction is established so that one electrode has a field enhancing sharp tip (cathode) and the other is a rectangular patch. This asymmetric geometry not only offers asymmetric current-voltage behavior at the zero bias point, but also it decouples the junction resistance and capacitance by concentrating the charge transport in a small volume around the tip. Various fabrication methods are developed in order to create small junction area (= low parasitic capacitance), low junction resistance (= effective power coupling through antenna), asymmetry (= zero bias operation), high fabrication yield and low cost ACMIM tunnel diodes. High resolution fabrication needs are accomplished by electron beam lithography and nano-accuracy in the junction area is achieved by employing dose modifying proximity effect correction and critical alignment methods. Our Ni/NiOx/Ni ACMIM diodes with an optimized insulation layer created with O2 plasma oxidation are the most successful devices presented to date. A novel fabrication technique called "strain assisted self lift-off process" is used to achieve small junction area devices without relying on lithographic resolution. This technique eliminates the rival parasitic capacitance issue of today's ACMIM tunnel diodes and does not rely on extreme-high resolution lithography technologies.

Simulation of the GEM detector for BM@N experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baranov, Dmitriy; Rogachevsky, Oleg

2017-03-01

The Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector is one of the basic parts of the BM@N experiment included in the NICA project. The simulation model that takes into account features of signal generation process in an ionization GEM chamber is presented in this article. Proper parameters for the simulation were extracted from data retrieved with the help of Garfield++ (a toolkit for the detailed simulation of particle detectors). Due to this, we are able to generate clusters in layers of the micro-strip readout that correspond to clusters retrieved from a real physics experiment.

The Parameterization of Top-Hat Particle Sensors with Microchannel-Plate-Based Detection Systems and its Application to the Fast Plasma Investigation on NASA's Magnetospheric MultiScale Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gershman, Daniel J.; Gliese, Ulrik; Dorelli, John C.; Avanov, Levon A.; Barrie, Alexander C.; Chornay, Dennis J.; MacDonald, Elizabeth A.; Holland, Matthew P.; Pollock, Craig J.

2015-01-01

The most common instrument for low energy plasmas consists of a top-hat electrostatic analyzer geometry coupled with a microchannel-plate (MCP)-based detection system. While the electrostatic optics for such sensors are readily simulated and parameterized during the laboratory calibration process, the detection system is often less well characterized. Furthermore, due to finite resources, for large sensor suites such as the Fast Plasma Investigation (FPI) on NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, calibration data are increasingly sparse. Measurements must be interpolated and extrapolated to understand instrument behavior for untestable operating modes and yet sensor inter-calibration is critical to mission success. To characterize instruments from a minimal set of parameters we have developed the first comprehensive mathematical description of both sensor electrostatic optics and particle detection systems. We include effects of MCP efficiency, gain, scattering, capacitive crosstalk, and charge cloud spreading at the detector output. Our parameterization enables the interpolation and extrapolation of instrument response to all relevant particle energies, detector high voltage settings, and polar angles from a small set of calibration data. We apply this model to the 32 sensor heads in the Dual Electron Sensor (DES) and 32 sensor heads in the Dual Ion Sensor (DIS) instruments on the 4 MMS observatories and use least squares fitting of calibration data to extract all key instrument parameters. Parameters that will evolve in flight, namely MCP gain, will be determined daily through application of this model to specifically tailored in-flight calibration activities, providing a robust characterization of sensor suite performance throughout mission lifetime. Beyond FPI, our model provides a valuable framework for the simulation and evaluation of future detection system designs and can be used to maximize instrument understanding with minimal calibration resources.

Measurement of Neutron and Muon Fluxes 100~m Underground with the SciBath Detector

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garrison, Lance

2014-01-01

The SciBath detector is an 80 liter liquid scintillator detector read out by a three dimensional grid of 768 wavelength-shifting fibers. Initially conceived as a fine-grained charged particle detector for neutrino studies that could image charged particle tracks in all directions, it is also sensitive to fast neutrons (15-200 MeV). In fall of 2011 the apparatus performed a three month run to measure cosmic-induced muons and neutrons 100~meters underground in the FNAL MINOS near-detector area. Data from this run has been analyzed and resulted in measurements of the cosmic muon flux as \

A new broadband square law detector. [microwave radiometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reid, M. S.; Gardner, R. A.; Stelzried, C. T.

1975-01-01

A broadband constant law detector was developed for precision power measurements, radio metric measurements, and other applications. It has a wide dynamic range and an accurate square law response. Other desirable characteristics, which are all included in a single compact unit, are: (1) high-level dc output with immunity to ground loop problems; (2) fast response times; (3) ability to insert known time constants; and (4) good thermal stability. The detector and its performance are described in detail. The detector can be operated in a programmable system with a ten-fold increase in accuracy. The use and performance of the detector in a noise-adding radiometer system is also discussed.

HIGH-SPEED GC/MS FOR AIR ANALYSIS

EPA Science Inventory

High speed or fast gas chromatography (FGC) consists of narrow bandwidth injection into a high-speed carrier gas stream passing through a short column leading to a fast detector. Many attempts have been made to demonstrate FGC, but until recently no practical method for routin...

Reduced γ-γ time walk to below 50 ps using the multiplexed-start and multiplexed-stop fast-timing technique with LaBr3(Ce) detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Régis, J.-M.; Saed-Samii, N.; Rudigier, M.; Ansari, S.; Dannhoff, M.; Esmaylzadeh, A.; Fransen, C.; Gerst, R.-B.; Jolie, J.; Karayonchev, V.; Müller-Gatermann, C.; Stegemann, S.

2016-07-01

The electronic γ-γ fast-timing technique using arrays consisting of many LaBr3(Ce) detectors is a powerful method to determine lifetimes of nuclear excited states with a lower limit of about 5 ps. This method requires the determination of the energy-dependent time walk of the zero time which is represented by the centroid of a prompt γ-γ time distribution. The full-energy peak versus full-energy peak prompt response difference which represents the linearly combined mean γ-γ time walk of a fast-timing array consisting of 8 LaBr3(Ce) detectors was measured using a standard 152Eu γ-ray source for the energy region of 40-1408 keV. The data were acquired using a "multiplexed-start and multiplexed-stop" analogue electronics circuitry and analysed by employing the generalized centroid difference method. Concerning the cylindrical 1.5 in.×1.5 in. LaBr3(Ce) crystals which are coupled to the Hamamatsu R9779 photomultiplier tubes, the best fast-timing array time resolution of 202(3) ps is obtained for the two prompt γ lines of 60Co by using the leading-edge timing principle. When using the zero-crossover timing principle the time resolution is degraded by up to 30%, dependent on the energy and the shaping delay time of the constant fraction discriminator model Ortec 935. The smallest γ-γ time walk to below 50 ps is obtained by using a shaping delay time of about 17 ns and an optimum "time-walk adjustment" needed for detector output pulses with amplitudes smaller than 400 mV.

The use of ultrasonic properties of CR-39 track detectors in neutron dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afifi, H.; El-Sersy, A.; Khaled, N.

2004-01-01

The longitudinal and shear wave ultrasonic velocities have been measured before and after exposing 5-mm thick CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors to both a mixed field of gamma-rays and fast neutrons from an Am-Be source in the ranges from 0 to 10 4 mSv. The change in the intermolecular structure as caused by the fast neutron exposure was studied by the ultrasonic pulse echo method at a frequency of 2 MHz and at room temperature. The elastic coefficients, Poisson's ratio, microhardness, ultrasonic absorption coefficient and internal friction have been determined. The study shows that the gamma-ray irradiation had no effect on the ultrasonic properties of CR-39 at least at the used doses. However, all the ultrasonic properties are influenced by the fast neutrons at doses up to 10 4 mSv. Our experimental results confirmed that the ultrasonic technique is useful for fast neutron detection, by exploiting the differences in mechanical properties of CR-39.

The new ATLAS Fast Calorimeter Simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schaarschmidt, J.; ATLAS Collaboration

2017-10-01

Current and future need for large scale simulated samples motivate the development of reliable fast simulation techniques. The new Fast Calorimeter Simulation is an improved parameterized response of single particles in the ATLAS calorimeter that aims to accurately emulate the key features of the detailed calorimeter response as simulated with Geant4, yet approximately ten times faster. Principal component analysis and machine learning techniques are used to improve the performance and decrease the memory need compared to the current version of the ATLAS Fast Calorimeter Simulation. A prototype of this new Fast Calorimeter Simulation is in development and its integration into the ATLAS simulation infrastructure is ongoing.

Miles Hand Grenade

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harrington, John J.; Buttz, James H.; Maish, Alex B.

2005-11-15

A simulated grenade for MILES-type simulations generates a unique RF signal and a unique audio signal. A detector utilizes the time between receipt of the RF signal and the slower-traveling audio signal to determine the distance between the detector and the simulated grenade.

Spectroscopic neutron detection using composite scintillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jovanovic, I.; Foster, A.; Kukharev, V.; Mayer, M.; Meddeb, A.; Nattress, J.; Ounaies, Z.; Trivelpiece, C.

2016-09-01

Shielded special nuclear material (SNM), especially highly enriched uranium, is exceptionally difficult to detect without the use of active interrogation (AI). We are investigating the potential use of low-dose active interrogation to realize simultaneous high-contrast imaging and photofission of SNM using energetic gamma-rays produced by low-energy nuclear reactions, such as 11B(d,nγ)12C and 12C(p,p‧)12C. Neutrons produced via fission are one reliable signature of the presence of SNM and are usually identified by their unique timing characteristics, such as the delayed neutron die-away. Fast neutron spectroscopy may provide additional useful discriminating characteristics for SNM detection. Spectroscopic measurements can be conducted by recoil-based or thermalization and capture-gated detectors; the latter may offer unique advantages since they facilitate low-statistics and event-by-event neutron energy measurements without spectrum unfolding. We describe the results of the development and characterization of a new type of capture-gated spectroscopic neutron detector based on a composite of scintillating polyvinyltoluene and lithium-doped scintillating glass in the form of millimeter-thick rods. The detector achieves >108 neutron-gamma discrimination resulting from its geometric properties and material selection. The design facilitates simultaneous pulse shape and pulse height discrimination, despite the fact that no materials intrinsically capable of pulse shape discrimination have been used to construct the detector. Accurate single-event measurements of neutron energy may be possible even when the energy is relatively low, such as with delayed fission neutrons. Simulation and preliminary measurements using the new composite detector are described, including those conducted using radioisotope sources and the low-dose active interrogation system based on low-energy nuclear reactions.

HPGe detector shielding optimization with MCNPX for the MEDINA PGNAA cell

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nicol, T.; Perot, B.; Carasco, C.

2015-07-01

Radioactive waste repositories must guarantee the non-toxicity of the waste in the long term, not only regarding radioactivity but also regarding other environmental contamination such as toxic chemicals. Analytical methods already exist for chemical characterization (ICP-MS, ICP-AES...) but they are based on test sampling. A possible alternative, for waste packages with an appropriate gamma radiation level, is to use Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA), a non-destructive measurement technique sensitive to several toxic chemicals. In view of the characterization of radioactive wastes in Germany and France, collaboration between the CEA Cadarache (France) and the Forschungszentrum Juelich (Germany) was initiated amore » few years ago. FZJ holds a PGNAA graphite cell called MEDINA (Multi Element Detection based on Instrumental Neutron Activation), allowing the characterization of 225 L drums. Fast neutrons are emitted from a D-T pulsed 14 MeV neutron generator and thermalized in graphite to induced radiative captures in the waste materials. Prompt capture gamma rays are detected using a 104% relative efficiency n-type HPGe. However, HPGe crystal is sensitive to fast neutron damage and to thermal neutron activation. A thermal neutron shield made of lithium fluorine and lithium carbonate is already used around the detector. In order to further decrease the current of fast and thermal neutrons coming into the crystal without penalizing MEDINA sensitivity (by decreasing the thermal neutron flux and neutron die away time of the cell, the gamma detection efficiency, or increasing the gamma background), some configurations based on easy-to-implement modifications of MEDINA have been simulated with MCNPX with a model of the cell already validated by experiments. Results show that fast and thermal neutron incoming current in the HPGe could easily be reduced by about a factor of 2 by additional quantities of graphite and by replacing lithium carbonate by lithium fluorine with a higher {sup 6}Li concentration. In addition, these modifications slightly increase the thermal neutron flux in the cell without deteriorating the neutron die away time, and reduce the gamma background about a factor of 2 during the neutron pulse but 5 times less after it. More important changes have also been tested, such as the addition of polyethylene and lead between the neutron generator and the HPGe detector, which is more effective regarding neutron shielding but decreases the neutron die away time, partly compensated by a larger initial thermal neutron flux. Concerning gamma background, hydrogen capture gamma ray (2.23 MeV) is increased due to the presence of polyethylene but lead around the HPGe decreases the total gamma background. In conclusion, simple modifications are possible to improve detector shielding and life time before thermal annealing of the crystal, without reducing MEDINA cell performances. Some of these modifications will be tested in the coming months. (authors)« less

The performance of the γ-ray tracking array GRETINA for γ-ray spectroscopy with fast beams of rare isotopes

DOE PAGES

Weisshaar, D.; Bazin, D.; Bender, P. C.; ...

2016-12-03

The gamma-ray tracking array GRETINA was coupled to the S800 magnetic spectrometer for spectroscopy with fast beams of rare isotopes at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory on the campus of Michigan State University. We describe the technical details of this powerful setup and report on GRETINA's performance achieved with source and in-beam measurements. The gamma-ray multiplicity encountered in experiments with fast beams is usually low, allowing for a simplified and efficient treatment of the data in the gamma-ray analysis in terms of Doppler reconstruction and spectral quality. Finally, the results reported in this work were obtained from GRETINA consisting ofmore » 8 detector modules hosting four high-purity germanium crystals each. Currently, GRETINA consists of 10 detector modules.« less

Ultra-fast HPM detectors improve NAD(P)H FLIM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, Wolfgang; Wetzker, Cornelia; Benda, Aleš

2018-02-01

Metabolic imaging by NAD(P)H FLIM requires the decay functions in the individual pixels to be resolved into the decay components of bound and unbound NAD(P)H. Metabolic information is contained in the lifetime and relative amplitudes of the components. The separation of the decay components and the accuracy of the amplitudes and lifetimes improves substantially by using ultra-fast HPM-100-06 and HPM-100-07 hybrid detectors. The IRF width in combination with the Becker & Hickl SPC-150N and SPC-150NX TCSPC modules is less than 20 ps. An IRF this fast does not interfere with the fluorescence decay. The usual deconvolution process in the data analysis then virtually becomes a simple curve fitting, and the parameters of the NAD(P)H decay components are obtained at unprecedented accuracy.

Development of a fast multi-line x-ray CT detector for NDT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, T.; Nachtrab, F.; Schlechter, T.; Neubauer, H.; Mühlbauer, J.; Schröpfer, S.; Ernst, J.; Firsching, M.; Schweiger, T.; Oberst, M.; Meyer, A.; Uhlmann, N.

2015-04-01

Typical X-ray detectors for non-destructive testing (NDT) are line detectors or area detectors, like e.g. flat panel detectors. Multi-line detectors are currently only available in medical Computed Tomography (CT) scanners. Compared to flat panel detectors, line and multi-line detectors can achieve much higher frame rates. This allows time-resolved 3D CT scans of an object under investigation. Also, an improved image quality can be achieved due to reduced scattered radiation from object and detector themselves. Another benefit of line and multi-line detectors is that very wide detectors can be assembled easily, while flat panel detectors are usually limited to an imaging field with a size of approx. 40 × 40 cm2 at maximum. The big disadvantage of line detectors is the limited number of object slices that can be scanned simultaneously. This leads to long scan times for large objects. Volume scans with a multi-line detector are much faster, but with almost similar image quality. Due to the promising properties of multi-line detectors their application outside of medical CT would also be very interesting for NDT. However, medical CT multi-line detectors are optimized for the scanning of human bodies. Many non-medical applications require higher spatial resolutions and/or higher X-ray energies. For those non-medical applications we are developing a fast multi-line X-ray detector.In the scope of this work, we present the current state of the development of the novel detector, which includes several outstanding properties like an adjustable curved design for variable focus-detector-distances, conserving nearly uniform perpendicular irradiation over the entire detector width. Basis of the detector is a specifically designed, radiation hard CMOS imaging sensor with a pixel pitch of 200 μ m. Each pixel has an automatic in-pixel gain adjustment, which allows for both: a very high sensitivity and a wide dynamic range. The final detector is planned to have 256 lines of pixels. By using a modular assembly of the detector, the width can be chosen as multiples of 512 pixels. With a frame rate of up to 300 frames/s (full resolution) or 1200 frame/s (analog binning to 400 μ m pixel pitch) time-resolved 3D CT applications become possible. Two versions of the detector are in development, one with a high resolution scintillator and one with a thick, structured and very efficient scintillator (pitch 400 μ m). This way the detector can even work with X-ray energies up to 450 kVp.

A One ppm NDIR Methane Gas Sensor with Single Frequency Filter Denoising Algorithm

PubMed Central

Zhu, Zipeng; Xu, Yuhui; Jiang, Binqing

2012-01-01

A non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) methane gas sensor prototype has achieved a minimum detection limit of 1 parts per million by volume (ppm). The central idea of the design of the sensor is to decrease the detection limit by increasing the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the system. In order to decrease the noise level, a single frequency filter algorithm based on fast Fourier transform (FFT) is adopted for signal processing. Through simulation and experiment, it is found that the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the filter narrows with the extension of sampling period and the increase of lamp modulation frequency, and at some optimum sampling period and modulation frequency, the filtered signal maintains a noise to signal ratio of below 1/10,000. The sensor prototype provides the key techniques for a hand-held methane detector that has a low cost and a high resolution. Such a detector may facilitate the detection of leakage of city natural gas pipelines buried underground, the monitoring of landfill gas, the monitoring of air quality and so on.

Recent development on the realization of a 1-inch VSiPMT prototype

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barbato, F. C. T.; Barbarino, G.; Campajola, L.; Di Capua, F.; Mollo, C. M.; Valentini, A.; Vivolo, D.

2017-03-01

The VSiPMT (Vacuum Silicon PhotoMultiplier Tube) is an innovative design for a revolutionary hybrid photodetector. The idea, born with the purpose to use a SiPM for large detection volumes, consists in replacing the classical dynode chain with a SiPM. In this configuration, we match the large sensitive area of a photocathode with the performances of the SiPM technology, which therefore acts like an electron detector and so like a current amplifier. The excellent photon counting capability, fast response, low power consumption and great stability are among the most attractive features of the VSiPMT. In order to realize such a device we first studied the feasibility of this detector both from theoretical and experimental point of view, by implementing a Geant4-based simulation and studying the response of a special non-windowed MPPC by Hamamatsu with an electron beam. Thanks to this result Hamamatsu realized two VSiPMT industrial prototypes with a photocathode of 3mm diameter. We present the progress on the realization of a 1-inch prototype and the preliminary tests we are performing on it.

ENERGY RESPONSE OF FLUORESCENT NUCLEAR TRACK DETECTORS OF VARIOUS COLORATIONS TO MONOENERGETIC NEUTRONS.

PubMed

Fomenko, V; Moreno, B; Million, M; Harrison, J; Akselrod, M

2017-10-25

The neutron-energy dependence of the track-counting sensitivity of fluorescent nuclear track detectors (FNTDs) at two ranges of Mg doping, resulting in different crystal colorations, was investigated. The performance of FNTDs was studied with the following converters: Li-glass for thermal to intermediate-energy neutrons, polyethylene for fast neutrons, and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon™) for photon- and radon-background subtraction. The irradiations with monoenergetic neutrons were performed at the National Physics Laboratory (NPL), UK. The energy range was varied from 144 keV to 16.5 MeV in the personal dose equivalent range from 1 to 3 mSv. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to model the response of FNTDs to monoenergetic neutrons. A good agreement with the experimental data was observed suggesting the development of a basic model for future MC studies. Further work will focus on increasing FNTD sensitivity to low-energy neutrons and developing a faster imaging technique for scanning larger areas to improve counting statistics. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Sub-micro-liter Electrochemical Single-Nucleotide-Polymorphism Detector for Lab-on-a-Chip System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, Hiroyuki; Fiorini, Paolo; Peeters, Sara; Majeed, Bivragh; Sterken, Tom; de Beeck, Maaike Op; Hayashi, Miho; Yaku, Hidenobu; Yamashita, Ichiro

2012-04-01

A sub-micro-liter single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) detector for lab-on-a-chip applications is developed. This detector enables a fast, sensitive, and selective SNP detection directly from human blood. The detector is fabricated on a Si substrate by a standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor/micro electro mechanical systems (CMOS/MEMS) process and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molding. Stable and reproducible measurements are obtained by implementing an on-chip Ag/AgCl electrode and encapsulating the detector. The detector senses the presence of SNPs by measuring the concentration of pyrophosphoric acid generated during selective DNA amplification. A 0.5-µL-volume detector enabled the successful performance of the typing of a SNP within the ABO gene using human blood. The measured sensitivity is 566 pA/µM.

ATLAS Simulation using Real Data: Embedding and Overlay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haas, Andrew; ATLAS Collaboration

2017-10-01

For some physics processes studied with the ATLAS detector, a more accurate simulation in some respects can be achieved by including real data into simulated events, with substantial potential improvements in the CPU, disk space, and memory usage of the standard simulation configuration, at the cost of significant database and networking challenges. Real proton-proton background events can be overlaid (at the detector digitization output stage) on a simulated hard-scatter process, to account for pileup background (from nearby bunch crossings), cavern background, and detector noise. A similar method is used to account for the large underlying event from heavy ion collisions, rather than directly simulating the full collision. Embedding replaces the muons found in Z→μμ decays in data with simulated taus at the same 4-momenta, thus preserving the underlying event and pileup from the original data event. In all these cases, care must be taken to exactly match detector conditions (beamspot, magnetic fields, alignments, dead sensors, etc.) between the real data event and the simulation. We will discuss the status of these overlay and embedding techniques within ATLAS software and computing.

Design and implementation of a low-cost multiple-range digital phase detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Omran, Hesham; Albasha, Lutfi; Al-Ali, A. R.

2012-06-01

This article describes the design, simulation, implementation and testing of a novel low-cost multiple-range programmable digital phase detector. The detector receives two periodic signals and calculates the ratio of the time difference to the time period to measure and display the phase difference. The resulting output values are in integer form ranging from -180° to 180°. Users can select the detector pre-set operation frequency ranges using a three-bit pre-scalar. This enables to use the detector for various applications. The proposed detector can be programmed over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 25 kHz by configuring its clock divider circuit. Detector simulations were conducted and verified using ModelSim and the design was implemented and tested using an Altera Cyclone II field-programmable gate array board. Both the simulation and actual circuit testing results showed that the phase detector has a magnitude of error of only 1°. The detector is ideal for applications such as power factor measurement and correction, self-tuning resonant circuits and in metal detection systems. Unlike other stand-alone phase detection systems, the reported system has the ability to be programmed to several frequency ranges, hence expanding its bandwidth.

Status of the Simbol-X Background Simulation Activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tenzer, C.; Briel, U.; Bulgarelli, A.; Chipaux, R.; Claret, A.; Cusumano, G.; Dell'Orto, E.; Fioretti, V.; Foschini, L.; Hauf, S.; Kendziorra, E.; Kuster, M.; Laurent, P.; Tiengo, A.

2009-05-01

The Simbol-X background simulation group is working towards a simulation based background and mass model which can be used before and during the mission. Using the Geant4 toolkit, a Monte-Carlo code to simulate the detector background of the Simbol-X focal plane instrument has been developed with the aim to optimize the design of the instrument. Achieving an overall low instrument background has direct impact on the sensitivity of Simbol-X and thus will be crucial for the success of the mission. We present results of recent simulation studies concerning the shielding of the detectors with respect to the diffuse cosmic hard X-ray background and to the cosmic-ray proton induced background. Besides estimates of the level and spectral shape of the remaining background expected in the low and high energy detector, also anti-coincidence rates and resulting detector dead time predictions are discussed.

Temperature dependence of the response of ultra fast silicon detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mulargia, R.; Arcidiacono, R.; Bellora, A.; Boscardin, M.; Cartiglia, N.; Cenna, F.; Cirio, R.; Dalla Betta, G. F.; Durando, S.; Fadavi, A.; Ferrero, M.; Galloway, Z.; Gruey, B.; Freeman, P.; Kramberger, G.; Mandic, I.; Monaco, V.; Obertino, M.; Pancheri, L.; Paternoster, G.; Ravera, F.; Sacchi, R.; Sadrozinski, H. F. W.; Seiden, A.; Sola, V.; Spencer, N.; Staiano, A.; Wilder, M.; Woods, N.; Zatserklyaniy, A.

2016-12-01

The Ultra Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD) are a novel concept of silicon detectors based on the Low Gain Avalanche Diode (LGAD) technology, which are able to obtain time resolution of the order of few tens of picoseconds. First prototypes with different geometries (pads/pixels/strips), thickness (300 and 50 μm) and gain (between 5 and 20) have been recently designed and manufactured by CNM (Centro Nacional de Microelectrónica, Barcelona) and FBK (Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento). Several measurements on these devices have been performed in laboratory and in beam test and a dependence of the gain on the temperature has been observed. Some of the first measurements will be shown (leakage current, breakdown voltage, gain and time resolution on the 300 μm from FBK and gain on the 50 μm-thick sensor from CNM) and a comparison with the theoretically predicted trend will be discussed.

The Full-Scale Prototype for the Fluorescence Detector Array of Single-Pixel Telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujii, T.; Malacari, M.; Bellido, J. A.; Farmer, J.; Galimova, A.; Horvath, P.; Hrabovsky, M.; Mandat, D.; Matalon, A.; Matthews, J. N.; Merolle, M.; Ni, X.; Nozka, L.; Palatka, M.; Pech, M.; Privitera, P.; Schovanek, P.; Thomas, S. B.; Travnicek, P.

The Fluorescence detector Array of Single-pixel Telescopes (FAST) is a design concept for the next generation of ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) observatories, addressing the requirements for a large-area, low-cost detector suitable for measuring the properties of the highest energy cosmic rays. In the FAST design, a large field of view is covered by a few pixels at the focal plane of a mirror or Fresnel lens. Motivated by the successful detection of UHECRs using a prototype comprised of a single 200 mm photomultiplier-tube and a 1 m2 Fresnel lens system, we have developed a new "full-scale" prototype consisting of four 200 mm photomultiplier-tubes at the focus of a segmented mirror of 1.6 m in diameter. We report on the status of the full-scale prototype, including test measurements made during first light operation at the Telescope Array site in central Utah, U.S.A.

Design and prototype results of the FAST detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mozzanica, A.; Basset, M.; Caccia, M.; Corradini, M.; Leali, M.; Lodi Rizzini, E.; Prest, M.; Venturelli, L.; Vallazza, E.; Zurlo, N.

2006-11-01

A new fiber tracker is being developed for the ASACUSA experiment at the Antiproton Decelerator at CERN. The detector is based on 1 mm diameter scintillating fibers readout by HAMAMATSU 64 channel multianode photomultipliers (MA-PMTs) connected to a dedicated electronic chain. The paper gives a description of the testing procedures for time resolution, spatial resolution and efficiency measurements performed with standard NIM electronics and a commercial TDC and reports the results for different prototype detectors.

Development of compact particle detectors for space based instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barner, Lindsey; Grove, Andrew; Mohler, Jacob; Sisson, Caleb; Roth, Alex; Kryemadhi, Abaz

2017-01-01

The Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are new photon-detectors which have been increasingly used in particle physics. Their small size, good single photon resolution, simple readout, and immunity to magnetic fields offers benefits compared to traditional photomultipliers. LYSO and CeBr3 crystals are relatively new scintillators with high stopping power, very good light yield and fast decay time. The response of these detectors to low energy gamma rays will be presented. NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium.

The Simbol-X Low Energy Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lechner, Peter

2009-05-01

For the Low Energy Detector of Simbol-X a new type of active pixel sensor based on the integrated amplifier DEPFET has been developed. This concept combines large area, scalable pixel size, low noise, and ultra-fast readout. Flight representative prototypes have been processed with a performance matching the Simbol-X specifications and demonstrating the technology readiness.

Cryogenic liquid-level detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamlet, J.

1978-01-01

Detector is designed for quick assembly, fast response, and good performance under vibratory stress. Its basic parallel-plate open configuration can be adapted to any length and allows its calibration scale factor to be predicted accurately. When compared with discrete level sensors, continuous reading sensor was found to be superior if there is sloshing, boiling, or other disturbance.

Detector-device-independent quantum key distribution: Security analysis and fast implementation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boaron, Alberto; Korzh, Boris; Boso, Gianluca

One of the most pressing issues in quantum key distribution (QKD) is the problem of detector side-channel attacks. To overcome this problem, researchers proposed an elegant “time-reversal” QKD protocol called measurement-device-independent QKD (MDI-QKD), which is based on time-reversed entanglement swapping. However, MDI-QKD is more challenging to implement than standard point-to-point QKD. Recently, an intermediary QKD protocol called detector-device-independent QKD (DDI-QKD) has been proposed to overcome the drawbacks of MDI-QKD, with the hope that it would eventually lead to a more efficient detector side-channel-free QKD system. Here, we analyze the security of DDI-QKD and elucidate its security assumptions. We find thatmore » DDI-QKD is not equivalent to MDI-QKD, but its security can be demonstrated with reasonable assumptions. On the more practical side, we consider the feasibility of DDI-QKD and present a fast experimental demonstration (clocked at 625 MHz), capable of secret key exchange up to more than 90 km.« less

Fast-neutron, coded-aperture imager

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woolf, Richard S.; Phlips, Bernard F.; Hutcheson, Anthony L.; Wulf, Eric A.

2015-06-01

This work discusses a large-scale, coded-aperture imager for fast neutrons, building off a proof-of concept instrument developed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The Space Science Division at the NRL has a heritage of developing large-scale, mobile systems, using coded-aperture imaging, for long-range γ-ray detection and localization. The fast-neutron, coded-aperture imaging instrument, designed for a mobile unit (20 ft. ISO container), consists of a 32-element array of 15 cm×15 cm×15 cm liquid scintillation detectors (EJ-309) mounted behind a 12×12 pseudorandom coded aperture. The elements of the aperture are composed of 15 cm×15 cm×10 cm blocks of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The arrangement of the aperture elements produces a shadow pattern on the detector array behind the mask. By measuring of the number of neutron counts per masked and unmasked detector, and with knowledge of the mask pattern, a source image can be deconvolved to obtain a 2-d location. The number of neutrons per detector was obtained by processing the fast signal from each PMT in flash digitizing electronics. Digital pulse shape discrimination (PSD) was performed to filter out the fast-neutron signal from the γ background. The prototype instrument was tested at an indoor facility at the NRL with a 1.8-μCi and 13-μCi 252Cf neutron/γ source at three standoff distances of 9, 15 and 26 m (maximum allowed in the facility) over a 15-min integration time. The imaging and detection capabilities of the instrument were tested by moving the source in half- and one-pixel increments across the image plane. We show a representative sample of the results obtained at one-pixel increments for a standoff distance of 9 m. The 1.8-μCi source was not detected at the 26-m standoff. In order to increase the sensitivity of the instrument, we reduced the fastneutron background by shielding the top, sides and back of the detector array with 10-cm-thick HDPE. This shielding configuration led to a reduction in the background by a factor of 1.7 and thus allowed for the detection and localization of the 1.8 μCi. The detection significance for each source at different standoff distances will be discussed.

Characterization of a multilayer ionization chamber prototype for fast verification of relative depth ionization curves and spread-out-Bragg-peaks in light ion beam therapy.

PubMed

Mirandola, Alfredo; Magro, Giuseppe; Lavagno, Marco; Mairani, Andrea; Molinelli, Silvia; Russo, Stefania; Mastella, Edoardo; Vai, Alessandro; Maestri, Davide; La Rosa, Vanessa; Ciocca, Mario

2018-05-01

To dosimetrically characterize a multilayer ionization chamber (MLIC) prototype for quality assurance (QA) of pristine integral ionization curves (ICs) and spread-out-Bragg-peaks (SOBPs) for scanning light ion beams. QUBE (De.Tec.Tor., Torino, Italy) is a modular detector designed for QA in particle therapy (PT). Its main module is a MLIC detector, able to evaluate particle beam relative depth ionization distributions at different beam energies and modulations. The charge collecting electrodes are made of aluminum, for a nominal water equivalent thickness (WET) of ~75 mm. The detector prototype was calibrated by acquiring the signals in the initial plateau region of a pristine BP and in terms of WET. Successively, it was characterized in terms of repeatability response, linearity, short-term stability and dose rate dependence. Beam-induced measurements of activation in terms of ambient dose equivalent rate were also performed. To increase the detector coarse native spatial resolution (~2.3 mm), several consecutive acquisitions with a set of certified 0.175-mm-thick PMMA sheets (Goodfellow, Cambridge Limited, UK), placed in front of the QUBE mylar entrance window, were performed. The ICs/SOBPs were achieved as the result of the sum of the set of measurements, made up of a one-by-one PMMA layer acquisition. The newly obtained detector spatial resolution allowed the experimental measurements to be properly comparable against the reference curves acquired in water with the PTW Peakfinder. Furthermore, QUBE detector was modeled in the FLUKA Monte Carlo (MC) code following the technical design details and ICs/SOBPs were calculated. Measurements showed a high repeatability: mean relative standard deviation within ±0.5% for all channels and both particle types. Moreover, the detector response was linear with dose (R 2  > 0.998) and independent on the dose rate. The mean deviation over the channel-by-channel readout respect to the reference beam flux (100%) was equal to 0.7% (1.9%) for the 50% (20%) beam flux level. The short-term stability of the gain calibration was very satisfying for both particle types: the channel mean relative standard deviation was within ±1% for all the acquisitions performed at different times. The ICs obtained with the MLIC QUBE at improved resolution satisfactorily matched both the MC simulations and the reference curves acquired with Peakfinder. Deviations from the reference values in terms of BP position, peak width and distal fall-off were submillimetric for both particle types in the whole investigated energy range. For modulated SOBPs, a submillimetric deviation was found when comparing both experimental MLIC QUBE data against the reference values and MC calculations. The relative dose deviations for the experimental MLIC QUBE acquisitions, with respect to Peakfinder data, ranged from ~1% to ~3.5%. Maximum value of 14.1 μSv/h was measured in contact with QUBE entrance window soon after a long irradiation with carbon ions. MLIC QUBE appears to be a promising detector for accurately measuring pristine ICs and SOBPs. A simple procedure to improve the intrinsic spatial resolution of the detector is proposed. Being the detector very accurate, precise, fast responding, and easy to handle, it is therefore well suited for daily checks in PT. © 2018 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Simulation of the Interactions Between Gamma-Rays and Detectors Using BSIMUL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haywood, S. E.; Rester, A. C., Jr.

1996-01-01

Progress made during 1995 on the Monte-Carlo gamma-ray spectrum simulation program BSIMUL is discussed. Several features have been added, including the ability to model shield that are tapered cylinders. Several simulations were made on the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous detector.

Charged-particle emission tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Yijun

Conventional charged-particle imaging techniques--such as autoradiography-- provide only two-dimensional (2D) images of thin tissue slices. To get volumetric information, images of multiple thin slices are stacked. This process is time consuming and prone to distortions, as registration of 2D images is required. We propose a direct three-dimensional (3D) autoradiography technique, which we call charged-particle emission tomography (CPET). This 3D imaging technique enables imaging of thick sections, thus increasing laboratory throughput and eliminating distortions due to registration. In CPET, molecules or cells of interest are labeled so that they emit charged particles without significant alteration of their biological function. Therefore, by imaging the source of the charged particles, one can gain information about the distribution of the molecules or cells of interest. Two special case of CPET include beta emission tomography (BET) and alpha emission tomography (alphaET), where the charged particles employed are fast electrons and alpha particles, respectively. A crucial component of CPET is the charged-particle detector. Conventional charged-particle detectors are sensitive only to the 2-D positions of the detected particles. We propose a new detector concept, which we call particle-processing detector (PPD). A PPD measures attributes of each detected particle, including location, direction of propagation, and/or the energy deposited in the detector. Reconstruction algorithms for CPET are developed, and reconstruction results from simulated data are presented for both BET and alphaET. The results show that, in addition to position, direction and energy provide valuable information for 3D reconstruction of CPET. Several designs of particle-processing detectors are described. Experimental results for one detector are discussed. With appropriate detector design and careful data analysis, it is possible to measure direction and energy, as well as position of each detected particle. The null functions of CPET with PPDs that measure different combinations of attributes are calculated through singular-value decomposition. In general, the more particle attributes are measured from each detection event, the smaller the null space of CPET is. In other words, the higher dimension the data space is, the more information about an object can be recovered from CPET.

Comparison of Fluka-2006 Monte Carlo Simulation and Flight Data for the ATIC Detector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gunasingha, R.M.; Fazely, A.R.; Adams, J.H.; Ahn, H.S.; Bashindzhagyan, G.L.; Chang, J.; Christl, M.; Ganel, O.; Guzik, T.G.; Isbert, J.;

Temperature distribution model for the semiconductor dew point detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weremczuk, Jerzy; Gniazdowski, Z.; Jachowicz, Ryszard; Lysko, Jan M.

2001-08-01

The simulation results of temperature distribution in the new type silicon dew point detector are presented in this paper. Calculations were done with use of the SMACEF simulation program. Fabricated structures, apart from the impedance detector used to the dew point detection, contained the resistive four terminal thermometer and two heaters. Two detector structures, the first one located on the silicon membrane and the second one placed on the bulk materials were compared in this paper.

GEANT4 simulations of a novel 3He-free thermalization neutron detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzone, A.; Finocchiaro, P.; Lo Meo, S.; Colonna, N.

2018-05-01

A novel concept for 3He-free thermalization detector is here investigated by means of GEANT4 simulations. The detector is based on strips of solid-state detectors with 6Li deposit for neutron conversion. Various geometrical configurations have been investigated in order to find the optimal solution, in terms of value and energy dependence of the efficiency for neutron energies up to 10 MeV. The expected performance of the new detector are compared with those of an optimized thermalization detector based on standard 3He tubes. Although an 3He-based detector is superior in terms of performance and simplicity, the proposed solution may become more appealing in terms of costs in case of shortage of 3He supply.

Characterization of emergent leakage neutrons from multiple layers of hydrogen/water in the lunar regolith by Monte Carlo simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

SU, J.; Sagdeev, R.; Usikov, D.; Chin, G.; Boyer, L.; Livengood, T. A.; McClanahan, T. P.; Murray, J.; Starr, R. D.

2013-12-01

Introduction: The leakage flux of lunar neutrons produced by precipitation of galactic cosmic ray (GCR) particles in the upper layer of the lunar regolith and measured by orbital instruments such as the Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) is investigated by Monte Carlo simulation. Previous Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have been used to investigate neutron production and leakage from the lunar surface to assess the elemental composition of lunar soil [1-6] and its effect on the leakage neutron flux. We investigate effects on the emergent flux that depend on the physical distribution of hydrogen within the regolith. We use the software package GEANT4 [7] to calculate neutron production from spallation by GCR particles [8,9] in the lunar soil. Multiple layers of differing hydrogen/water at different depths in the lunar regolith model are introduced to examine enhancement or suppression of leakage neutron flux. We find that the majority of leakage thermal and epithermal neutrons are produced in 25 cm to 75 cm deep from the lunar surface. Neutrons produced in the shallow top layer retain more of their original energy due to fewer scattering interactions and escape from the lunar surface mostly as fast neutrons. This provides a diagnostic tool in interpreting leakage neutron flux enhancement or suppression due to hydrogen concentration distribution in lunar regolith. We also find that the emitting angular distribution of thermal and epithermal leakage neutrons can be described by cos3/2(theta) where the fast neutrons emitting angular distribution is cos(theta). The energy sensitivity and angular response of the LEND detectors SETN and CSETN are investigated using the leakage neutron spectrum from GEANT4 simulations. A simplified LRO model is used to benchmark MCNPX[10] and GEANT4 on CSETN absolute count rate corresponding to neutron flux from bombardment of 120MV solar potential GCR particles on FAN lunar soil. We are able to interpret the count rates of SETN and CSETN from the leakage neutron spectrum, emission angle, detector energy sensitivity and angular response. Reference: [1] W. C. Feldman, et al., Science 4 September 1998: Vol. 281 no. 5382 pp. 1496-1500. [2] Gasnault, O., et al., (2000) J. Geophys. Res., 105(E2), 4263-4271. [3] Little, R. C., et al. (2003), J. Geophys. Res., 108(E5), 5046. [4] McKinney et al., (2006), J. Geophys. Res., 111, E06004. [5] Lawrence et al., (2006), J. Geophys. Res., 111, E08001. [6] Looper et al, (2013), Space Weather, VOL. 11, 142-152. [7] J. Allison, et al, (2006) IEEE TRANS. ON NUCL SCI, VOL. 53, NO. 1. [8] J. Masarik and R. Reedy (1996), J. Geophys. Res., 101, 18,891-18,912. [9] P. O'Neil (2010) IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., 57(6), 3148-3153. [10] D. Pelowitz, (2005), Rep. LA-CP-05-0369, LANL, Los Alamos, NM.

Measurements of fast ion spatial dynamics during magnetic activity in the RFP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goetz, J. A.; Anderson, J. K.; Bonofiglo, P.; Kim, J.; McConnell, R.; Magee, R. M.

2017-10-01

Fast ions in the RFP are only weakly affected by a stochastic magnetic field and behave nearly classically in concentration too low to excite Alfvenic activity. At high fast ion concentration sourced by H-NBI in 300kA RFP discharges, a substantial drop in core-localized high pitch fast ions is observed during bursts of coupled EPM and IAE (magnetic island-induced Alfven eigenmode) activity (100-200kHz) through neutral particle analysis. Sourcing instead fast deuterium with NBI, the DD fusion products can measure the dynamics of the fast ion density profile. Both a collimated neutron detector and a new 3MeV fusion proton detector loaned by TriAlpha Energy measure the fast ion density profile with 5cm spatial resolution and 100 μs temporal resolution. In D-NBI, the bursting EPM is excited at slightly lower frequency and the IAE activity is nearly absent, likely due to an isotope effect and loss of wave-particle interaction. In these cases, neutral particle analysis shows little change in the core-localized high pitch fast ion content, and the fusion product profile indicates little change in the fast ion density profile, leaving unexplained the mechanism removing EPM drive. We measure a substantial redistribution of the fast ion profile due to strong lower-frequency ( 30kHz) MHD activity that accompanies the current profile relaxation in the RFP. Profile flattening is strongest in low bulk density discharges, which often occur with a total increase in global neutron flux from acceleration of the beam ions. Work supported by US DoE.

Monte Carlo studies of medium-size telescope designs for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wood, M. D.; Jogler, T.; Dumm, J.

In this paper, we present studies for optimizing the next generation of ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs). Results focus on mid-sized telescopes (MSTs) for CTA, detecting very high energy gamma rays in the energy range from a few hundred GeV to a few tens of TeV. We describe a novel, flexible detector Monte Carlo package, FAST (FAst Simulation for imaging air cherenkov Telescopes), that we use to simulate different array and telescope designs. The simulation is somewhat simplified to allow for efficient exploration over a large telescope design parameter space. We investigate a wide range of telescope performance parametersmore » including optical resolution, camera pixel size, and light collection area. In order to ensure a comparison of the arrays at their maximum sensitivity, we analyze the simulations with the most sensitive techniques used in the field, such as maximum likelihood template reconstruction and boosted decision trees for background rejection. Choosing telescope design parameters representative of the proposed Davies–Cotton (DC) and Schwarzchild–Couder (SC) MST designs, we compare the performance of the arrays by examining the gamma-ray angular resolution and differential point-source sensitivity. We further investigate the array performance under a wide range of conditions, determining the impact of the number of telescopes, telescope separation, night sky background, and geomagnetic field. We find a 30–40% improvement in the gamma-ray angular resolution at all energies when comparing arrays with an equal number of SC and DC telescopes, significantly enhancing point-source sensitivity in the MST energy range. Finally, we attribute the increase in point-source sensitivity to the improved optical point-spread function and smaller pixel size of the SC telescope design.« less

Monte Carlo studies of medium-size telescope designs for the Cherenkov Telescope Array

DOE PAGES

Wood, M. D.; Jogler, T.; Dumm, J.; ...

2015-06-07

In this paper, we present studies for optimizing the next generation of ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs). Results focus on mid-sized telescopes (MSTs) for CTA, detecting very high energy gamma rays in the energy range from a few hundred GeV to a few tens of TeV. We describe a novel, flexible detector Monte Carlo package, FAST (FAst Simulation for imaging air cherenkov Telescopes), that we use to simulate different array and telescope designs. The simulation is somewhat simplified to allow for efficient exploration over a large telescope design parameter space. We investigate a wide range of telescope performance parametersmore » including optical resolution, camera pixel size, and light collection area. In order to ensure a comparison of the arrays at their maximum sensitivity, we analyze the simulations with the most sensitive techniques used in the field, such as maximum likelihood template reconstruction and boosted decision trees for background rejection. Choosing telescope design parameters representative of the proposed Davies–Cotton (DC) and Schwarzchild–Couder (SC) MST designs, we compare the performance of the arrays by examining the gamma-ray angular resolution and differential point-source sensitivity. We further investigate the array performance under a wide range of conditions, determining the impact of the number of telescopes, telescope separation, night sky background, and geomagnetic field. We find a 30–40% improvement in the gamma-ray angular resolution at all energies when comparing arrays with an equal number of SC and DC telescopes, significantly enhancing point-source sensitivity in the MST energy range. Finally, we attribute the increase in point-source sensitivity to the improved optical point-spread function and smaller pixel size of the SC telescope design.« less

Fast analytical scatter estimation using graphics processing units.

PubMed

Ingleby, Harry; Lippuner, Jonas; Rickey, Daniel W; Li, Yue; Elbakri, Idris

2015-01-01

To develop a fast patient-specific analytical estimator of first-order Compton and Rayleigh scatter in cone-beam computed tomography, implemented using graphics processing units. The authors developed an analytical estimator for first-order Compton and Rayleigh scatter in a cone-beam computed tomography geometry. The estimator was coded using NVIDIA's CUDA environment for execution on an NVIDIA graphics processing unit. Performance of the analytical estimator was validated by comparison with high-count Monte Carlo simulations for two different numerical phantoms. Monoenergetic analytical simulations were compared with monoenergetic and polyenergetic Monte Carlo simulations. Analytical and Monte Carlo scatter estimates were compared both qualitatively, from visual inspection of images and profiles, and quantitatively, using a scaled root-mean-square difference metric. Reconstruction of simulated cone-beam projection data of an anthropomorphic breast phantom illustrated the potential of this method as a component of a scatter correction algorithm. The monoenergetic analytical and Monte Carlo scatter estimates showed very good agreement. The monoenergetic analytical estimates showed good agreement for Compton single scatter and reasonable agreement for Rayleigh single scatter when compared with polyenergetic Monte Carlo estimates. For a voxelized phantom with dimensions 128 × 128 × 128 voxels and a detector with 256 × 256 pixels, the analytical estimator required 669 seconds for a single projection, using a single NVIDIA 9800 GX2 video card. Accounting for first order scatter in cone-beam image reconstruction improves the contrast to noise ratio of the reconstructed images. The analytical scatter estimator, implemented using graphics processing units, provides rapid and accurate estimates of single scatter and with further acceleration and a method to account for multiple scatter may be useful for practical scatter correction schemes.

Reconstruction of 2D PET data with Monte Carlo generated system matrix for generalized natural pixels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandenberghe, Stefaan; Staelens, Steven; Byrne, Charles L.; Soares, Edward J.; Lemahieu, Ignace; Glick, Stephen J.

2006-06-01

In discrete detector PET, natural pixels are image basis functions calculated from the response of detector pairs. By using reconstruction with natural pixel basis functions, the discretization of the object into a predefined grid can be avoided. Here, we propose to use generalized natural pixel reconstruction. Using this approach, the basis functions are not the detector sensitivity functions as in the natural pixel case but uniform parallel strips. The backprojection of the strip coefficients results in the reconstructed image. This paper proposes an easy and efficient way to generate the matrix M directly by Monte Carlo simulation. Elements of the generalized natural pixel system matrix are formed by calculating the intersection of a parallel strip with the detector sensitivity function. These generalized natural pixels are easier to use than conventional natural pixels because the final step from solution to a square pixel representation is done by simple backprojection. Due to rotational symmetry in the PET scanner, the matrix M is block circulant and only the first blockrow needs to be stored. Data were generated using a fast Monte Carlo simulator using ray tracing. The proposed method was compared to a listmode MLEM algorithm, which used ray tracing for doing forward and backprojection. Comparison of the algorithms with different phantoms showed that an improved resolution can be obtained using generalized natural pixel reconstruction with accurate system modelling. In addition, it was noted that for the same resolution a lower noise level is present in this reconstruction. A numerical observer study showed the proposed method exhibited increased performance as compared to a standard listmode EM algorithm. In another study, more realistic data were generated using the GATE Monte Carlo simulator. For these data, a more uniform contrast recovery and a better contrast-to-noise performance were observed. It was observed that major improvements in contrast recovery were obtained with MLEM when the correct system matrix was used instead of simple ray tracing. The correct modelling was the major cause of improved contrast for the same background noise. Less important factors were the choice of the algorithm (MLEM performed better than ART) and the basis functions (generalized natural pixels gave better results than pixels).

FAST NEUTRON SPECTROMETER USING SPACED SEMICONDUCTORS FOR MEASURING TOTAL ENERGY OF NEUTRONS CAPTURED

DOEpatents

Love, T.A.; Murray, R.B.

1964-04-14

A fast neutron spectrometer was designed, which utilizes a pair of opposed detectors having a layer of /sup 6/LiF between to produce alpha and T pair for each neutron captured to provide signals, which, when combined, constitute a measure of neutron energy. (AEC)

Accuracy of Monte Carlo photon transport simulation in characterizing brachytherapy dosimeter energy-response artefacts.

PubMed

Das, R K; Li, Z; Perera, H; Williamson, J F

1996-06-01

Practical dosimeters in brachytherapy, such as thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) and diodes, are usually calibrated against low-energy megavoltage beams. To measure absolute dose rate near a brachytherapy source, it is necessary to establish the energy response of the detector relative to that of the calibration energy. The purpose of this paper is to assess the accuracy of Monte Carlo photon transport (MCPT) simulation in modelling the absolute detector response as a function of detector geometry and photon energy. We have exposed two different sizes of TLD-100 (LiF chips) and p-type silicon diode detectors to calibrated 60Co, HDR source (192Ir) and superficial x-ray beams. For the Scanditronix electron-field diode, the relative detector response, defined as the measured detector readings per measured unit of air kerma, varied from 38.46 V cGy-1 (40 kVp beam) to 6.22 V cGy-1 (60Co beam). Similarly for the large and small chips the same quantity varied from 2.08-3.02 nC cGy-1 and 0.171-0.244 nC cGy-1, respectively. Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate the absorbed dose to the active volume of the detector per unit air kerma. If the Monte Carlo simulation is accurate, then the absolute detector response, which is defined as the measured detector reading per unit dose absorbed by the active detector volume, and is calculated by Monte Carlo simulation, should be a constant. For the diode, the absolute response is 5.86 +/- 0.15 (V cGy-1). For TLDs of size 3 x 3 x 1 mm3 the absolute response is 2.47 +/- 0.07 (nC cGy-1) and for TLDs of 1 x 1 x 1 mm3 it is 0.201 +/- 0.008 (nC cGy-1). From the above results we can conclude that the absolute response function of detectors (TLDs and diodes) is directly proportional to absorbed dose by the active volume of the detector and is independent of beam quality.

Radiation Detection and Classification of Heavy Oxide Inorganic Scintillator Crystals for Detection of Fast Neutrons

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-06-01

of these three pillars, yet current detectors for fast neutrons from nuclear weapons materials are bulky, expensive, and have low efficiencies, well...passive fast neutron emissions. Similarly, isotopes present in weapons grade Plutonium (which is predominantly Pu-239), especially Pu-240, are... weapons material, and the propensity of the neutrons resulting from their fission to inelastically scatter, defines the interactions of interest

LArSoft: toolkit for simulation, reconstruction and analysis of liquid argon TPC neutrino detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snider, E. L.; Petrillo, G.

2017-10-01

LArSoft is a set of detector-independent software tools for the simulation, reconstruction and analysis of data from liquid argon (LAr) neutrino experiments The common features of LAr time projection chambers (TPCs) enable sharing of algorithm code across detectors of very different size and configuration. LArSoft is currently used in production simulation and reconstruction by the ArgoNeuT, DUNE, LArlAT, MicroBooNE, and SBND experiments. The software suite offers a wide selection of algorithms and utilities, including those for associated photo-detectors and the handling of auxiliary detectors outside the TPCs. Available algorithms cover the full range of simulation and reconstruction, from raw waveforms to high-level reconstructed objects, event topologies and classification. The common code within LArSoft is contributed by adopting experiments, which also provide detector-specific geometry descriptions, and code for the treatment of electronic signals. LArSoft is also a collaboration of experiments, Fermilab and associated software projects which cooperate in setting requirements, priorities, and schedules. In this talk, we outline the general architecture of the software and the interaction with external libraries and detector-specific code. We also describe the dynamics of LArSoft software development between the contributing experiments, the projects supporting the software infrastructure LArSoft relies on, and the core LArSoft support project.

Development of neutron/gamma generators and a polymer semiconductor detector for homeland security applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King, Michael Joseph

Instrumentation development is essential to the advancement and success of homeland security systems. Active interrogation techniques that scan luggage and cargo containers for shielded special nuclear materials or explosives hold great potential in halting further terrorist attacks. The development of more economical, compact and efficient source and radiation detection devices will facilitate scanning of all containers and luggage while maintaining high-throughput and low-false alarms Innovative ion sources were developed for two novel, specialized neutron generating devices and initial generator tests were performed. In addition, a low-energy acceleration gamma generator was developed and its performance characterized. Finally, an organic semiconductor was investigated for direct fast neutron detection. A main part of the thesis work was the development of ion sources, crucial components of the neutron/gamma generator development. The use of an externally-driven radio-frequency antenna allows the ion source to generate high beam currents with high, mono-atomic species fractions while maintaining low operating pressures, advantageous parameters for neutron generators. A dual "S" shaped induction antenna was developed to satisfy the high current and large extraction area requirements of the high-intensity neutron generator. The dual antenna arrangement generated a suitable current density of 28 mA/cm2 at practical RF power levels. The stringent requirements of the Pulsed Fast Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy neutron generator necessitated the development of a specialized ten window ion source of toroidal shape with a narrow neutron production target at its center. An innovative ten antenna arrangement with parallel capacitors was developed for driving the multi-antenna arrangement and uniform coupling of RF power to all ten antennas was achieved. To address the desire for low-impact, low-radiation dose active interrogation systems, research was performed on mono-energetic gamma generators that operate at low-acceleration energies and leverage neutron generator technologies. The dissertation focused on the experimental characterization of the generator performance and involved MCNPX simulations to evaluate and analyze the experimental results. The emission of the 11.7 MeV gamma-rays was observed to be slightly anisotropic and the gamma yield was measured to be 2.0*105 gamma/s-mA. The lanthanum hexaboride target suffered beam damage from a high power density beam; however, this may be overcome by sweeping the beam across a larger target area. The efficient detection of fast neutrons is vital to active interrogation techniques for the detection of both SNM and explosives. Novel organic semiconductors are air-stable, low-cost materials that demonstrate direct electronic particle detection. As part of the development of a pi-conjugated organic polymer for fast neutron detection, charge generation and collection properties were investigated. By devising a dual, thin-film detector test arrangement, charge collection was measured for high energy protons traversing the dual detector arrangement that allowed the creation of variable track lengths by tilting the detector. The results demonstrated that an increase in track length resulted in a decreased signal collection. This can be understood by assuming charge carrier transport along the track instead of along the field lines, which was made possible by the filling of traps. However, this charge collection mechanism may be insufficient to generate a useful signal. This dissertation has explored the viability of a new generation of radiation sources and detectors, where the newly developed ion source technologies and prototype generators will further enhance the capabilities of existing threat detection systems and promote the development of cutting-edge detection technologies.

Radiation damage effects by electrons, protons, and neutrons in Si/Li/ detectors.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Y. M.; Coleman, J. A.

1972-01-01

The degradation in performance of lithium-compensated silicon nuclear particle detectors induced by irradiation at room temperature with 0.6-MeV and 1.5-MeV electrons, 1.9-MeV protons, and fast neutrons from a plutonium-beryllium source has been investigated. With increasing fluence, the irradiations produced an increase of detector leakage current, noise, capacitance, and a degradation in the performance of the detector as a charged-particle energy spectrometer. Following the irradiations, annealing effects were observed when the detectors were reverse-biased at their recommended operating voltages. Upon removal of bias, a continuous degradation of detector performance characteristics occurred. Detectors which had been damaged by electrons and protons exhibited a stabilization in their characteristics within two weeks after irradiation, whereas detectors damaged by neutrons had a continuous degradation of performance over a period of several months.

The fast neutron fluence and the activation detector activity calculations using the effective source method and the adjoint function

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hep, J.; Konecna, A.; Krysl, V.

2011-07-01

This paper describes the application of effective source in forward calculations and the adjoint method to the solution of fast neutron fluence and activation detector activities in the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) and RPV cavity of a VVER-440 reactor. Its objective is the demonstration of both methods on a practical task. The effective source method applies the Boltzmann transport operator to time integrated source data in order to obtain neutron fluence and detector activities. By weighting the source data by time dependent decay of the detector activity, the result of the calculation is the detector activity. Alternatively, if the weightingmore » is uniform with respect to time, the result is the fluence. The approach works because of the inherent linearity of radiation transport in non-multiplying time-invariant media. Integrated in this way, the source data are referred to as the effective source. The effective source in the forward calculations method thereby enables the analyst to replace numerous intensive transport calculations with a single transport calculation in which the time dependence and magnitude of the source are correctly represented. In this work, the effective source method has been expanded slightly in the following way: neutron source data were performed with few group method calculation using the active core calculation code MOBY-DICK. The follow-up neutron transport calculation was performed using the neutron transport code TORT to perform multigroup calculations. For comparison, an alternative method of calculation has been used based upon adjoint functions of the Boltzmann transport equation. Calculation of the three-dimensional (3-D) adjoint function for each required computational outcome has been obtained using the deterministic code TORT and the cross section library BGL440. Adjoint functions appropriate to the required fast neutron flux density and neutron reaction rates have been calculated for several significant points within the RPV and RPV cavity of the VVER-440 reacto rand located axially at the position of maximum power and at the position of the weld. Both of these methods (the effective source and the adjoint function) are briefly described in the present paper. The paper also describes their application to the solution of fast neutron fluence and detectors activities for the VVER-440 reactor. (authors)« less

Technical Note: Detective quantum efficiency simulation of a-Se imaging detectors using ARTEMIS.

PubMed

Fang, Yuan; Ito, Takaaki; Nariyuki, Fumito; Kuwabara, Takao; Badano, Aldo; Karim, Karim S

2017-08-01

This work studies the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of a-Se-based solid state x-ray detectors for medical imaging applications using ARTEMIS, a Monte Carlo simulation tool for modeling x-ray photon, electron and charged carrier transport in semiconductors with the presence of applied electric field. ARTEMIS is used to model the signal formation process in a-Se. The simulation model includes x-ray photon and high-energy electron interactions, and detailed electron-hole pair transport with applied detector bias taking into account drift, diffusion, Coulomb interactions, recombination and trapping. For experimental validation, the DQE performance of prototype a-Se detectors is measured following IEC Testing Standard 62220-1-3. Comparison of simulated and experimental DQE results show reasonable agreement for RQA beam qualities. Experimental validation demonstrated within 5% percentage difference between simulation and experimental DQE results for spatial frequency above 0.25 cycles/mm using uniform applied electric field for RQA beam qualities (RQA5, RQA7 and RQA9). Results include two different prototype detectors with thicknesses of 240 μm and 1 mm. ARTEMIS can be used to model the DQE of a-Se detectors as a function of x-ray energy, detector thickness, and spatial frequency. The ARTEMIS model can be used to improve understanding of the physics of x-ray interactions in a-Se and in optimization studies for the development of novel medical imaging applications. © 2017 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Space imaging measurement system based on fixed lens and moving detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akiyama, Akira; Doshida, Minoru; Mutoh, Eiichiro; Kumagai, Hideo; Yamada, Hirofumi; Ishii, Hiromitsu

2006-08-01

We have developed the Space Imaging Measurement System based on the fixed lens and fast moving detector to the control of the autonomous ground vehicle. The space measurement is the most important task in the development of the autonomous ground vehicle. In this study we move the detector back and forth along the optical axis at the fast rate to measure the three-dimensional image data. This system is just appropriate to the autonomous ground vehicle because this system does not send out any optical energy to measure the distance and keep the safety. And we use the digital camera of the visible ray range. Therefore it gives us the cost reduction of the three-dimensional image data acquisition with respect to the imaging laser system. We can combine many pieces of the narrow space imaging measurement data to construct the wide range three-dimensional data. This gives us the improvement of the image recognition with respect to the object space. To develop the fast movement of the detector, we build the counter mass balance in the mechanical crank system of the Space Imaging Measurement System. And then we set up the duct to prevent the optical noise due to the ray not coming through lens. The object distance is derived from the focus distance which related to the best focused image data. The best focused image data is selected from the image of the maximum standard deviation in the standard deviations of series images.

Evaluation of Position Resolution for a Prototype Whole-Body PET Detector Based on Suppressing Backgrounds by Compton Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujihara, Kento; Emoto, Yusaku; Ito, Hiroshi; Kaneko, Naomi; Kaneko, Hideyuki; Kawai, Hideyuki; Kobayashi, Atsushi; Mizuno, Takahiro

2018-01-01

Existing PET (Positron Emission Tomography) systems make clear images in demonstration (measuring small PET reagent in pure water), however images in real diagnosis become unclear. The authors suspected that this problem was caused by Compton scattering in a detector. When PET systems observe plural photomultiplier tube outputs, an original emission point is regarded as centroid of the outputs. However, even if plural emission in Compton scattering occur, these systems calculate original point in the same way as single emission. Therefore, the authors considered that rejecting Compton scattering events makes PET systems much better, and made prototype counter. Main components of the prototype counter are plate-like high-growth-rate (HGR) La-GPS scintillators and wavelength shifting fibers (WLSF). HGR crystals grow 10 times as fast as a mono-crystal (a normal mono-crystal grows at 2 - 3 mm an hour). Thus, it includes microbubble and its transparency get worth. Consequently, HGR crystals usually are not used in radiation measuring instruments. However, this time they are used on the purpose. Because of their low transparency, scintillation lights come out right above and right under of emission position. Therefore, Compton scattering events is rejected easily. The prototype detector has an effective area of 300 by 300 square mm. The detector consists of 24 layers. One layer consists of HGR La-GPS scintillator of 1 mm thickness. Top and bottom surface of scintillator were covered by dual sheets of WLSF with a diameter of 0.2 mm. Sheets of WLSF on top and bottom of the scintillator make a right angle with each other, and measure X- and Y-components. Z-component is measured by difference of WLSF outputs between top and bottom. If plural layers output signals, this counter regards the event as Compton scattering event, and reject the event. Even if only a layer output signals, the event is rejected when number output signals from WLSF is more than 1.5 times of single emission. Material cost of this system is, 0.2M for HGR La-GPS, 0.03M for WLSF, 0.03M for 600 units of 6 by 6 mm SiPM's, 0.12M for 12000 units of 1 by 1 mm SiPM's, and 0.09M for 1800 channel of signal readout circuits. Considering total cost, price of this PET will be set 1M or less. This idea was confirmed with numerical simulation and experimentation. In experimentation, position resolution in photoelectric absorption was 0.2 mm, and minimum distance that this detector could recognize plural emission in Compton scattering was 1 mm. In parallel, three kinds of model were made: a prototype detector, all the signals readout method, and resistance delay method. Simulation setting was 2 MBq/L in normal tissue and 10 MBq/L in cancer. As a result of simulation, a prototype detector identified 3 mm cancer, however the others made unclear image and was not able to identified cancer. That is to say, the prototype detector is able to reject Compton scattering events and inexpensive. Therefore, whole-body PET system with this detector must diagnose cancer with a diameter of 3 mm or more and be priced 1M or less

Multiplicity counting from fission detector signals with time delay effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagy, L.; Pázsit, I.; Pál, L.

2018-03-01

In recent work, we have developed the theory of using the first three auto- and joint central moments of the currents of up to three fission chambers to extract the singles, doubles and triples count rates of traditional multiplicity counting (Pázsit and Pál, 2016; Pázsit et al., 2016). The objective is to elaborate a method for determining the fissile mass, neutron multiplication, and (α, n) neutron emission rate of an unknown assembly of fissile material from the statistics of the fission chamber signals, analogous to the traditional multiplicity counting methods with detectors in the pulse mode. Such a method would be an alternative to He-3 detector systems, which would be free from the dead time problems that would be encountered in high counting rate applications, for example the assay of spent nuclear fuel. A significant restriction of our previous work was that all neutrons born in a source event (spontaneous fission) were assumed to be detected simultaneously, which is not fulfilled in reality. In the present work, this restriction is eliminated, by assuming an independent, identically distributed random time delay for all neutrons arising from one source event. Expressions are derived for the same auto- and joint central moments of the detector current(s) as in the previous case, expressed with the singles, doubles, and triples (S, D and T) count rates. It is shown that if the time-dispersion of neutron detections is of the same order of magnitude as the detector pulse width, as they typically are in measurements of fast neutrons, the multiplicity rates can still be extracted from the moments of the detector current, although with more involved calibration factors. The presented formulae, and hence also the performance of the proposed method, are tested by both analytical models of the time delay as well as with numerical simulations. Methods are suggested also for the modification of the method for large time delay effects (for thermalised neutrons).

A new Recoil Proton Telescope for energy and fluence measurement of fast neutron fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lebreton, Lena; Bachaalany, Mario; Husson, Daniel

The spectrometer ATHENA (Accurate Telescope for High Energy Neutron metrology Applications), is being developed at the IRSN / LMDN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete nucleaire / Laboratoire de Metrologie et de dosimetrie des neutrons) and aims at characterizing energy and fluence of fast neutron fields. The detector is a Recoil Proton Telescope and measures neutron fields in the range of 5 to 20 MeV. This telescope is intended to become a primary standard for both energy and fluence measurements. The neutron detection is achieved by a polyethylene radiator for n-p conversion, three 50{sub m} thick silicon sensors that usemore » CMOS technology for the proton tracking and a 3 mm thick silicon diode to measure the residual proton energy. This first prototype used CMOS sensors called MIMOSTAR, initially developed for heavy ion physics. The use of CMOS sensors and silicon diode increases the intrinsic efficiency of the detector by a factor of ten compared with conventional designs. The first prototype has already been done and was a successful study giving the results it offered in terms of energy and fluence measurements. For mono energetic beams going from 5 to 19 MeV, the telescope offered an energy resolution between 5 and 11% and fluence difference going from 5 to 7% compared to other home standards. A second and final prototype of the detector is being designed. It will hold upgraded CMOS sensors called FastPixN. These CMOS sensors are supposed to run 400 times faster than the older version and therefore give the telescope the ability to support neutron flux in the order of 107 to 108cm{sup 2}:s{sup 1}. The first prototypes results showed that a 50 m pixel size is enough for a precise scattering angle reconstruction. Simulations using MCNPX and GEANT4 are already in place for further improvements. A DeltaE diode will replace the third CMOS sensor and will be installed right before the silicon diode for a better recoil proton selection. The final prototype with its new geometry will increase the telescopes efficiency by a factor of 1.5. It will also cover some of the most important points in metrology; repeatability, reproducibility and sustainability. (authors)« less

The Salinas Airshower Learning And Discovery Project (SALAD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernandez, Victor; Niduaza, Rommel; Ruiz Castruita, Daniel; Knox, Adrian; Ramos, Daniel; Fan, Sewan; Fatuzzo, Laura

2015-04-01

The SALAD project partners community college and high school STEM students in order to develop and investigate cosmic ray detector telescopes and the physical concepts, using a new light sensor technology based on silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors. Replacing the conventional photomultiplier with the SiPM, offers notable advantages in cost and facilitates more in depth, hands-on learning laboratory activities. The students in the SALAD project design, construct and extensively evaluate the SiPM detector modules. These SiPM modules, can be completed in a short time utilizing cost effective components. We describe our research to implement SiPM as read out light detectors for plastic scintillators in a cosmic ray detector telescope for use in high schools. In particular, we describe our work in the design, evaluation and the assembly of (1) a fast preamplifier, (2) a simple coincidence circuit using fast comparators, to discriminate the SiPM noise signal pulses, and (3) a monovibrator circuit to shape the singles plus the AND logic pulses for subsequent processing. To store the singles and coincidence counts data, an Arduino micro-controller with program sketches can be implemented. Results and findings from our work would be described and presented. US Department of Education Title V Grant Award PO31S090007

Triple pulse shape discrimination and capture-gated spectroscopy in a composite heterogeneous scintillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, M.; Nattress, J.; Wilhelm, K.; Jovanovic, I.

2017-06-01

We demonstrate an all-solid-state design for a composite heterogeneous scintillation detector sensitive to interactions with high-energy photons (gammas), fast neutrons, and thermal neutrons. The scintillator exhibits triple pulse shape discrimination, effectively separating electron recoils, fast neutron recoils, and neutron captures. This is accomplished by combining the properties of two distinct scintillators, whereby a 51-mm diameter, 51-mm tall cylinder of pulse shape discriminating plastic is wrapped by a 320-μm thick sheet of 6LiF:ZnS(Ag), optically coupling the scintillators to each other and to the photomultiplier tube. In this way, the sensitivity to neutron captures is achieved without the need to load the plastic scintillator with a capture agent. We demonstrate a figure of merit of up to 1.2 for fast neutrons/gammas and 5.7 for thermal neutrons/gammas. Intrinsic capture efficiency is found to be 0.46±0.05% and is in good agreement with simulation, while gamma rejection was 10-6 with respect to the capture region and 10-4 with respect to the recoil region using a 300 keVee threshold. Finally, we show an improvement in capture-gated neutron spectroscopy by rejecting accidental gamma coincidences using pulse shape discrimination in the plastic scintillator.

A New FPGA Architecture of FAST and BRIEF Algorithm for On-Board Corner Detection and Matching.

PubMed

Huang, Jingjin; Zhou, Guoqing; Zhou, Xiang; Zhang, Rongting

2018-03-28

Although some researchers have proposed the Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) architectures of Feature From Accelerated Segment Test (FAST) and Binary Robust Independent Elementary Features (BRIEF) algorithm, there is no consideration of image data storage in these traditional architectures that will result in no image data that can be reused by the follow-up algorithms. This paper proposes a new FPGA architecture that considers the reuse of sub-image data. In the proposed architecture, a remainder-based method is firstly designed for reading the sub-image, a FAST detector and a BRIEF descriptor are combined for corner detection and matching. Six pairs of satellite images with different textures, which are located in the Mentougou district, Beijing, China, are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed architecture. The Modelsim simulation results found that: (i) the proposed architecture is effective for sub-image reading from DDR3 at a minimum cost; (ii) the FPGA implementation is corrected and efficient for corner detection and matching, such as the average value of matching rate of natural areas and artificial areas are approximately 67% and 83%, respectively, which are close to PC's and the processing speed by FPGA is approximately 31 and 2.5 times faster than those by PC processing and by GPU processing, respectively.

Study of pulse shape discrimination for a neutron phoswich detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartman, Jessica; Barzilov, Alexander

2017-09-01

A portable phoswich detector capable of differentiating between fast neutrons and thermal neutrons, and photons was developed. The detector design is based on the use of two solid-state scintillators with dissimilar scintillation time properties coupled with a single optical sensor: a 6Li loaded glass and EJ-299-33A plastic. The on-the-fly digital pulse shape discrimination and the wavelet treatment of measured waveforms were employed in the data analysis. The instrument enabled neutron spectrum evaluation.

Detector sustainability improvements at LCLS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Browne, Michael C.; Carini, Gabriella; DePonte, Daniel P.; Galtier, Eric C.; Hart, Philip A.; Koralek, J. D.; Mitra, Ankush; Nakahara, Kazutaka

2017-06-01

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) poses a number of daunting and often unusual challenges to maintaining X-ray detectors, such as proximity to liquid-sample injectors, complex setups with moving components, intense X-ray and optical laser light, and Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP). The Detector and Sample Environment departments at LCLS are developing an array of engineering, monitoring, and administrative controls solutions to better address these issues. These include injector improvements and monitoring methods, fast online damage recognition algorithms, EMP mapping and protection, actively cooled filters, and more.

SWAN - Detection of explosives by means of fast neutron activation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gierlik, M.; Borsuk, S.; Guzik, Z.; Iwanowska, J.; Kaźmierczak, Ł.; Korolczuk, S.; Kozłowski, T.; Krakowski, T.; Marcinkowski, R.; Swiderski, L.; Szeptycka, M.; Szewiński, J.; Urban, A.

2016-10-01

In this work we report on SWAN, the experimental, portable device for explosives detection. The device was created as part of the EU Structural Funds Project "Accelerators & Detectors" (POIG.01.01.02-14-012/08-00), with the goal to increase beneficiary's expertise and competencies in the field of neutron activation analysis. Previous experiences and budged limitations lead toward a less advanced design based on fast neutron interactions and unsophisticated data analysis with the emphasis on the latest gamma detection and spectrometry solutions. The final device has been designed as a portable, fast neutron activation analyzer, with the software optimized for detection of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. SWAN's performance in the role of explosives detector is elaborated in this paper. We demonstrate that the unique features offered by neutron activation analysis might not be impressive enough when confronted with practical demands and expectations of a generic homeland security customer.

SiC-based neutron detector in quasi-realistic working conditions: efficiency and stability at room and high temperature under fast neutron irradiations

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ferone, Raffaello; Issa, Fatima; Ottaviani, Laurent

In the framework of the European I SMART project, we have designed and made new SiC-based nuclear radiation detectors able to operate in harsh environments and to detect both fast and thermal neutrons. In this paper, we report experimental results of fast neutron irradiation campaign at high temperature (106 deg. C) in quasi-realistic working conditions. Our device does not suffer from high temperature, and spectra do show strong stability, preserving features. These experiments, as well as others in progress, show the I SMART SiC-based device skills to operate in harsh environments, whereas other materials would strongly suffer from degradation. Workmore » is still demanded to test our device at higher temperatures and to enhance efficiency in order to make our device fully exploitable from an industrial point of view. (authors)« less

Determination of the optimum-size californium-252 neutron source for borehole capture gamma-ray analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Senftle, F.E.; Macy, R.J.; Mikesell, J.L.

1979-01-01

The fast- and thermal-neutron fluence rates from a 3.7 ??g 252Cf neutron source in a simulated borehole have been measured as a function of the source-to-detector distance using air, water, coal, iron ore-concrete mix, and dry sand as borehole media. Gamma-ray intensity measurements were made for specific spectral lines at low and high energies for the same range of source-to-detector distances in the iron ore-concrete mix and in coal. Integral gamma-ray counts across the entire spectrum were also made at each source-to-detector distance. From these data, the specific neutron-damage rate, and the critical count-rate criteria, we show that in an iron ore-concrete mix (low hydrogen concentration), 252Cf neutron sources of 2-40 ??g are suitable. The source size required for optimum gamma-ray sensitivity depends on the energy of the gamma ray being measured. In a hydrogeneous medium such as coal, similar measurements were made. The results show that sources from 2 to 20 ??g are suitable to obtain the highest gamma-ray sensitivity, again depending on the energy of the gamma ray being measured. In a hydrogeneous medium, significant improvement in sensitivity can be achieved by using faster electronics; in iron ore, it cannot. ?? 1979 North-Holland Publishing Co.

Determination of output factor for 6 MV small photon beam: comparison between Monte Carlo simulation technique and microDiamond detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krongkietlearts, K.; Tangboonduangjit, P.; Paisangittisakul, N.

2016-03-01

In order to improve the life's quality for a cancer patient, the radiation techniques are constantly evolving. Especially, the two modern techniques which are intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) are quite promising. They comprise of many small beam sizes (beamlets) with various intensities to achieve the intended radiation dose to the tumor and minimal dose to the nearby normal tissue. The study investigates whether the microDiamond detector (PTW manufacturer), a synthetic single crystal diamond detector, is suitable for small field output factor measurement. The results were compared with those measured by the stereotactic field detector (SFD) and the Monte Carlo simulation (EGSnrc/BEAMnrc/DOSXYZ). The calibration of Monte Carlo simulation was done using the percentage depth dose and dose profile measured by the photon field detector (PFD) of the 10×10 cm2 field size with 100 cm SSD. Comparison of the values obtained from the calculations and measurements are consistent, no more than 1% difference. The output factors obtained from the microDiamond detector have been compared with those of SFD and Monte Carlo simulation, the results demonstrate the percentage difference of less than 2%.

A flow-injection mass spectrometry fingerprinting method for authentication and quality assessment of Scutellaria lateriflora-based dietary supplements

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Identification and differentiation of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin compounds in natural products can be very difficult by mass spectrometry. Using a ultra-violet/visible detector can be helpful, but not fool-proof, and it requires an additional detector. To solve the problem, a fast and reliab...

Large-area, low-noise, high-speed, photodiode-based fluorescence detectors with fast overdrive recovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bickman, S.; DeMille, D.

2005-11-01

Two large-area, low-noise, high-speed fluorescence detectors have been built. One detector consists of a photodiode with an area of 28mm×28mm and a low-noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has a input light-equivalent spectral noise density of less than 3pW/√Hz , can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10μs, and has a bandwidth of at least 900 kHz. The second detector consists of a 16-mm-diam avalanche photodiode and a low-noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has an input light-equivalent spectral noise density of 0.08pW/√Hz , also can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10μs, and has a bandwidth of 1 MHz.

Design rules for a compact and low-cost optical position sensing of MOEMS tilt mirrors based on a Gaussian-shaped light source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumgart, Marcus; Tortschanoff, Andreas

2013-05-01

A tilt mirror's deflection angle tracking setup is examined from a theoretical point of view. The proposed setup is based on a simple optical approach and easily scalable. Thus, the principle is especially of interest for small and fast oscillating MEMS/MOEMS based tilt mirrors. An experimentally established optical scheme is used as a starting point for accurate and fast mirror angle-position detection. This approach uses an additional layer, positioned under the MOEMS mirror's backside, consisting of a light source in the center and two photodetectors positioned symmetrical around the center. The mirror's back surface is illuminated by the light source and the intensity change due to mirror tilting is tracked via the photodiodes. The challenge of this method is to get a linear relation between the measured intensity and the current mirror tilt angle even for larger angles. State-of-the-art MOEMS mirrors achieve angles up to ±30°, which exceeds the linear angle approximations. The use of an LED, small laser diode or VCSEL as a lightsource is appropriate due to their small size and inexpensive price. Those light sources typically emit light with a Gaussian intensity distribution. This makes an analytical prediction of the expected detector signal quite complicated. In this publication an analytical simulation model is developed to evaluate the influence of the main parameters for this optical mirror tilt-sensor design. An easy and fast to calculate value directly linked to the mirror's tilt-angle is the "relative differential intensity" (RDI = (I1 - I2) / (I1 + I2)). Evaluation of its slope and nonlinear error highlights dependencies between the identified parameters for best SNR and linearity. Also the energy amount covering the detector area is taken into account. Design optimizing rules are proposed and discussed based on theoretical considerations.

Optimization of hybrid-type instrumentation for Pu accountancy of U/TRU ingot in pyroprocessing.

PubMed

Seo, Hee; Won, Byung-Hee; Ahn, Seong-Kyu; Lee, Seung Kyu; Park, Se-Hwan; Park, Geun-Il; Menlove, Spencer H

2016-02-01

One of the final products of pyroprocessing for spent nuclear fuel recycling is a U/TRU ingot consisting of rare earth (RE), uranium (U), and transuranic (TRU) elements. The amounts of nuclear materials in a U/TRU ingot must be measured as precisely as possible in order to secure the safeguardability of a pyroprocessing facility, as it contains the most amount of Pu among spent nuclear fuels. In this paper, we propose a new nuclear material accountancy method for measurement of Pu mass in a U/TRU ingot. This is a hybrid system combining two techniques, based on measurement of neutrons from both (1) fast- and (2) thermal-neutron-induced fission events. In technique #1, the change in the average neutron energy is a signature that is determined using the so-called ring ratio method, according to which two detector rings are positioned close to and far from the sample, respectively, to measure the increase of the average neutron energy due to the increased number of fast-neutron-induced fission events and, in turn, the Pu mass in the ingot. We call this technique, fast-neutron energy multiplication (FNEM). In technique #2, which is well known as Passive Neutron Albedo Reactivity (PNAR), a neutron population's changes resulting from thermal-neutron-induced fission events due to the presence or absence of a cadmium (Cd) liner in the sample's cavity wall, and reflected in the Cd ratio, is the signature that is measured. In the present study, it was considered that the use of a hybrid, FNEM×PNAR technique would significantly enhance the signature of a Pu mass. Therefore, the performance of such a system was investigated for different detector parameters in order to determine the optimal geometry. The performance was additionally evaluated by MCNP6 Monte Carlo simulations for different U/TRU compositions reflecting different burnups (BU), initial enrichments (IE), and cooling times (CT) to estimate its performance in real situations. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantitative comparison of simulated and measured signals in the STEM mode of a SEM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, C. G. H.; Konvalina, I.; Mika, F.; Frank, L.; Müllerová, I.

2018-01-01

The transmission of electrons with energies 15 keV and 30 keV through Si and Au films of 100 nm thickness each have been studied in a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope. The electrons that were transmitted through the films were detected using a multi-annular photo-detector consisting of a central Bright Field (BF) and several Dark Field (DF) detectors. For the experiment the detector was gradually offset from the axis and the signal from the central BF detector was studied as a function of the offset distance and compared with MC simulations. The experiment showed better agreement between experiment and several different MC simulations as compared to previous results, but differences were still found particularly for low angle scattering from Si. Data from Au suggest that high energy secondary electrons contribute to the signal on the central BF detector for low primary beam energies, when the STEM detector is in its usual central position.

Simulations of radiation-damaged 3D detectors for the Super-LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pennicard, D.; Pellegrini, G.; Fleta, C.; Bates, R.; O'Shea, V.; Parkes, C.; Tartoni, N.

2008-07-01

Future high-luminosity colliders, such as the Super-LHC at CERN, will require pixel detectors capable of withstanding extremely high radiation damage. In this article, the performances of various 3D detector structures are simulated with up to 1×1016 1 MeV- neq/cm2 radiation damage. The simulations show that 3D detectors have higher collection efficiency and lower depletion voltages than planar detectors due to their small electrode spacing. When designing a 3D detector with a large pixel size, such as an ATLAS sensor, different electrode column layouts are possible. Using a small number of n+ readout electrodes per pixel leads to higher depletion voltages and lower collection efficiency, due to the larger electrode spacing. Conversely, using more electrodes increases both the insensitive volume occupied by the electrode columns and the capacitive noise. Overall, the best performance after 1×1016 1 MeV- neq/cm2 damage is achieved by using 4-6 n+ electrodes per pixel.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Graf, Norman A.; /SLAC

Maximizing the physics performance of detectors being designed for the International Linear Collider, while remaining sensitive to cost constraints, requires a powerful, efficient, and flexible simulation, reconstruction and analysis environment to study the capabilities of a large number of different detector designs. The preparation of Letters Of Intent for the International Linear Collider involved the detailed study of dozens of detector options, layouts and readout technologies; the final physics benchmarking studies required the reconstruction and analysis of hundreds of millions of events. We describe the Java-based software toolkit (org.lcsim) which was used for full event reconstruction and analysis. The componentsmore » are fully modular and are available for tasks from digitization of tracking detector signals through to cluster finding, pattern recognition, track-fitting, calorimeter clustering, individual particle reconstruction, jet-finding, and analysis. The detector is defined by the same xml input files used for the detector response simulation, ensuring the simulation and reconstruction geometries are always commensurate by construction. We discuss the architecture as well as the performance.« less

The AAO fiber instrument data simulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodwin, Michael; Farrell, Tony; Smedley, Scott; Heald, Ron; Heijmans, Jeroen; De Silva, Gayandhi; Carollo, Daniela

2012-09-01

The fiber instrument data simulator is an in-house software tool that simulates detector images of fiber-fed spectrographs developed by the Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO). In addition to helping validate the instrument designs, the resulting simulated images are used to develop the required data reduction software. Example applications that have benefited from the tool usage are the HERMES and SAMI instrumental projects for the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT). Given the sophistication of these projects an end-to-end data simulator that accurately models the predicted detector images is required. The data simulator encompasses all aspects of the transmission and optical aberrations of the light path: from the science object, through the atmosphere, telescope, fibers, spectrograph and finally the camera detectors. The simulator runs under a Linux environment that uses pre-calculated information derived from ZEMAX models and processed data from MATLAB. In this paper, we discuss the aspects of the model, software, example simulations and verification.

Error tolerance analysis of wave diagnostic based on coherent modulation imaging in high power laser system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Xingchen; Liu, Cheng; Zhu, Jianqiang

2018-02-01

Coherent modulation imaging providing fast convergence speed and high resolution with single diffraction pattern is a promising technique to satisfy the urgent demands for on-line multiple parameter diagnostics with single setup in high power laser facilities (HPLF). However, the influence of noise on the final calculated parameters concerned has not been investigated yet. According to a series of simulations with twenty different sampling beams generated based on the practical parameters and performance of HPLF, the quantitative analysis based on statistical results was first investigated after considering five different error sources. We found the background noise of detector and high quantization error will seriously affect the final accuracy and different parameters have different sensitivity to different noise sources. The simulation results and the corresponding analysis provide the potential directions to further improve the final accuracy of parameter diagnostics which is critically important to its formal applications in the daily routines of HPLF.

High-resolution remotely sensed small target detection by imitating fly visual perception mechanism.

PubMed

Huang, Fengchen; Xu, Lizhong; Li, Min; Tang, Min

2012-01-01

The difficulty and limitation of small target detection methods for high-resolution remote sensing data have been a recent research hot spot. Inspired by the information capture and processing theory of fly visual system, this paper endeavors to construct a characterized model of information perception and make use of the advantages of fast and accurate small target detection under complex varied nature environment. The proposed model forms a theoretical basis of small target detection for high-resolution remote sensing data. After the comparison of prevailing simulation mechanism behind fly visual systems, we propose a fly-imitated visual system method of information processing for high-resolution remote sensing data. A small target detector and corresponding detection algorithm are designed by simulating the mechanism of information acquisition, compression, and fusion of fly visual system and the function of pool cell and the character of nonlinear self-adaption. Experiments verify the feasibility and rationality of the proposed small target detection model and fly-imitated visual perception method.

CAFNA{reg{underscore}sign}, coded aperture fast neutron analysis for contraband detection: Preliminary results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, L.; Lanza, R.C.

1999-12-01

The authors have developed a near field coded aperture imaging system for use with fast neutron techniques as a tool for the detection of contraband and hidden explosives through nuclear elemental analysis. The technique relies on the prompt gamma rays produced by fast neutron interactions with the object being examined. The position of the nuclear elements is determined by the location of the gamma emitters. For existing fast neutron techniques, in Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA), neutrons are used with very low efficiency; in Fast Neutron Analysis (FNS), the sensitivity for detection of the signature gamma rays is very low.more » For the Coded Aperture Fast Neutron Analysis (CAFNA{reg{underscore}sign}) the authors have developed, the efficiency for both using the probing fast neutrons and detecting the prompt gamma rays is high. For a probed volume of n{sup 3} volume elements (voxels) in a cube of n resolution elements on a side, they can compare the sensitivity with other neutron probing techniques. As compared to PFNA, the improvement for neutron utilization is n{sup 2}, where the total number of voxels in the object being examined is n{sup 3}. Compared to FNA, the improvement for gamma-ray imaging is proportional to the total open area of the coded aperture plane; a typical value is n{sup 2}/2, where n{sup 2} is the number of total detector resolution elements or the number of pixels in an object layer. It should be noted that the actual signal to noise ratio of a system depends also on the nature and distribution of background events and this comparison may reduce somewhat the effective sensitivity of CAFNA. They have performed analysis, Monte Carlo simulations, and preliminary experiments using low and high energy gamma-ray sources. The results show that a high sensitivity 3-D contraband imaging and detection system can be realized by using CAFNA.« less

Sensitive and transportable gadolinium-core plastic scintillator sphere for neutron detection and counting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumazert, Jonathan; Coulon, Romain; Carrel, Frédérick; Corre, Gwenolé; Normand, Stéphane; Méchin, Laurence; Hamel, Matthieu

2016-08-01

Neutron detection forms a critical branch of nuclear-related issues, currently driven by the search for competitive alternative technologies to neutron counters based on the helium-3 isotope. The deployment of plastic scintillators shows a high potential for efficient detectors, safer and more reliable than liquids, more easily scalable and cost-effective than inorganic. In the meantime, natural gadolinium, through its 155 and mostly 157 isotopes, presents an exceptionally high interaction probability with thermal neutrons. This paper introduces a dual system including a metal gadolinium core inserted at the center of a high-scale plastic scintillator sphere. Incident fast neutrons are thermalized by the scintillator shell and then may be captured with a significant probability by gadolinium 155 and 157 nuclei in the core. The deposition of a sufficient fraction of the capture high-energy prompt gamma signature inside the scintillator shell will then allow discrimination from background radiations by energy threshold, and therefore neutron detection. The scaling of the system with the Monte Carlo MCNPX2.7 code was carried out according to a tradeoff between the moderation of incident fast neutrons and the probability of slow neutron capture by a moderate-cost metal gadolinium core. Based on the parameters extracted from simulation, a first laboratory prototype for the assessment of the detection method principle has been synthetized. The robustness and sensitivity of the neutron detection principle are then assessed by counting measurement experiments. Experimental results confirm the potential for a stable, highly sensitive, transportable and cost-efficient neutron detector and orientate future investigation toward promising axes.

SU-C-201-02: Quantitative Small-Animal SPECT Without Scatter Correction Using High-Purity Germanium Detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gearhart, A; Peterson, T; Johnson, L

2015-06-15

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the exceptional energy resolution of germanium detectors for preclinical SPECT in comparison to conventional detectors. Methods: A cylindrical water phantom was created in GATE with a spherical Tc-99m source in the center. Sixty-four projections over 360 degrees using a pinhole collimator were simulated. The same phantom was simulated using air instead of water to establish the true reconstructed voxel intensity without attenuation. Attenuation correction based on the Chang method was performed on MLEM reconstructed images from the water phantom to determine a quantitative measure of the effectiveness of the attenuation correction. Similarly, a NEMAmore » phantom was simulated, and the effectiveness of the attenuation correction was evaluated. Both simulations were carried out using both NaI detectors with an energy resolution of 10% FWHM and Ge detectors with an energy resolution of 1%. Results: Analysis shows that attenuation correction without scatter correction using germanium detectors can reconstruct a small spherical source to within 3.5%. Scatter analysis showed that for standard sized objects in a preclinical scanner, a NaI detector has a scatter-to-primary ratio between 7% and 12.5% compared to between 0.8% and 1.5% for a Ge detector. Preliminary results from line profiles through the NEMA phantom suggest that applying attenuation correction without scatter correction provides acceptable results for the Ge detectors but overestimates the phantom activity using NaI detectors. Due to the decreased scatter, we believe that the spillover ratio for the air and water cylinders in the NEMA phantom will be lower using germanium detectors compared to NaI detectors. Conclusion: This work indicates that the superior energy resolution of germanium detectors allows for less scattered photons to be included within the energy window compared to traditional SPECT detectors. This may allow for quantitative SPECT without implementing scatter correction, reducing uncertainties introduced by scatter correction algorithms. Funding provided by NIH/NIBIB grant R01EB013677; Todd Peterson, Ph.D., has had a research contract with PHDs Co., Knoxville, TN.« less

Study of a new design of p-N semiconductor detector array for nuclear medicine imaging by monte carlo simulation codes.

PubMed

Hajizadeh-Safar, M; Ghorbani, M; Khoshkharam, S; Ashrafi, Z

2014-07-01

Gamma camera is an important apparatus in nuclear medicine imaging. Its detection part is consists of a scintillation detector with a heavy collimator. Substitution of semiconductor detectors instead of scintillator in these cameras has been effectively studied. In this study, it is aimed to introduce a new design of P-N semiconductor detector array for nuclear medicine imaging. A P-N semiconductor detector composed of N-SnO2 :F, and P-NiO:Li, has been introduced through simulating with MCNPX monte carlo codes. Its sensitivity with different factors such as thickness, dimension, and direction of emission photons were investigated. It is then used to configure a new design of an array in one-dimension and study its spatial resolution for nuclear medicine imaging. One-dimension array with 39 detectors was simulated to measure a predefined linear distribution of Tc(99_m) activity and its spatial resolution. The activity distribution was calculated from detector responses through mathematical linear optimization using LINPROG code on MATLAB software. Three different configurations of one-dimension detector array, horizontal, vertical one sided, and vertical double-sided were simulated. In all of these configurations, the energy windows of the photopeak were ± 1%. The results show that the detector response increases with an increase of dimension and thickness of the detector with the highest sensitivity for emission photons 15-30° above the surface. Horizontal configuration array of detectors is not suitable for imaging of line activity sources. The measured activity distribution with vertical configuration array, double-side detectors, has no similarity with emission sources and hence is not suitable for imaging purposes. Measured activity distribution using vertical configuration array, single side detectors has a good similarity with sources. Therefore, it could be introduced as a suitable configuration for nuclear medicine imaging. It has been shown that using semiconductor P-N detectors such as P-NiO:Li, N-SnO2 :F for gamma detection could be possibly applicable for design of a one dimension array configuration with suitable spatial resolution of 2.7 mm for nuclear medicine imaging.

Recent developments in track reconstruction and hadron identification at MPD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mudrokh, A.; Zinchenko, A.

2017-03-01

A Monte Carlo simulation of real detector effects with as many details as possible has been carried out instead of a simplified Geant point smearing approach during the study of the detector performance. Some results of realistic simulation of the MPD TPC (Time Projection Chamber) including digitization in central Au+Au collisions have been obtained. Particle identification (PID) has been tuned to account for modifications in the track reconstruction. Some results on hadron identification in the TPC and TOF (Time Of Flight) detectors with realistically simulated response have been also obtained.

Organic Scintillator Detector Response Simulations with DRiFT

DOE PAGES

Andrews, Madison Theresa; Bates, Cameron Russell; Mckigney, Edward Allen; ...

2016-06-11

Here, this work presents the organic scintillation simulation capabilities of DRiFT, a post-processing Detector Response Function Toolkit for MCNPR output. DRiFT is used to create realistic scintillation detector response functions to incident neutron and gamma mixed- field radiation. As a post-processing tool, DRiFT leverages the extensively validated radiation transport capabilities of MCNPR ®6, which also provides the ability to simulate complex sources and geometries. DRiFT is designed to be flexible, it allows the user to specify scintillator material, PMT type, applied PMT voltage, and quenching data used in simulations. The toolkit's capabilities, which include the generation of pulse shape discriminationmore » plots and full-energy detector spectra, are demonstrated in a comparison of measured and simulated neutron contributions from 252Cf and PuBe, and photon spectra from 22Na and 228Th sources. DRiFT reproduced energy resolution effects observed in EJ-301 measurements through the inclusion of scintillation yield variances, photon transport noise, and PMT photocathode and multiplication noise.« less

Monte-Carlo background simulations of present and future detectors in x-ray astronomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tenzer, C.; Kendziorra, E.; Santangelo, A.

2008-07-01

Reaching a low-level and well understood internal instrumental background is crucial for the scientific performance of an X-ray detector and, therefore, a main objective of the instrument designers. Monte-Carlo simulations of the physics processes and interactions taking place in a space-based X-ray detector as a result of its orbital environment can be applied to explain the measured background of existing missions. They are thus an excellent tool to predict and optimize the background of future observatories. Weak points of a design and the main sources of the background can be identified and methods to reduce them can be implemented and studied within the simulations. Using the Geant4 Monte-Carlo toolkit, we have created a simulation environment for space-based detectors and we present results of such background simulations for XMM-Newton's EPIC pn-CCD camera. The environment is also currently used to estimate and optimize the background of the future instruments Simbol-X and eRosita.

Organic scintillator detector response simulations with DRiFT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrews, M. T.; Bates, C. R.; McKigney, E. A.; Solomon, C. J.; Sood, A.

2016-09-01

This work presents the organic scintillation simulation capabilities of DRiFT, a post-processing Detector Response Function Toolkit for MCNP® output. DRiFT is used to create realistic scintillation detector response functions to incident neutron and gamma mixed-field radiation. As a post-processing tool, DRiFT leverages the extensively validated radiation transport capabilities of MCNP® 6 , which also provides the ability to simulate complex sources and geometries. DRiFT is designed to be flexible, it allows the user to specify scintillator material, PMT type, applied PMT voltage, and quenching data used in simulations. The toolkit's capabilities, which include the generation of pulse shape discrimination plots and full-energy detector spectra, are demonstrated in a comparison of measured and simulated neutron contributions from 252Cf and PuBe, and photon spectra from 22Na and 228Th sources. DRiFT reproduced energy resolution effects observed in EJ-301 measurements through the inclusion of scintillation yield variances, photon transport noise, and PMT photocathode and multiplication noise.

Prompt fission gamma-ray emission spectral data for 239Pu(n,f) using fast directional neutrons from the LICORNE neutron source

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, L.; Wilson, J. N.; Lebois, M.; Al-Adili, A.; Chatillon, A.; Choudhury, D.; Gatera, A.; Georgiev, G.; Göök, A.; Laurent, B.; Maj, A.; Matea, I.; Oberstedt, A.; Oberstedt, S.; Rose, S. J.; Schmitt, C.; Wasilewska, B.; Zeiser, F.

2018-03-01

Prompt fission gamma-ray spectra (PFGS) have been measured for the 239Pu(n,f) reaction using fast neutrons at Ēn=1.81 MeV produced by the LICORNE directional neutron source. The setup makes use of LaBr3 scintillation detectors and PARIS phoswich detectors to measure the emitted prompt fission gamma rays (PFG). The mean multiplicity, average total energy release per fission and average energy of photons are extracted from the unfolded PFGS. These new measurements provide complementary information to other recent work on thermal neutron induced fission of 239Pu and spontaneous fission of 252Cf.

Energy-resolved fast neutron resonance radiography at CSNS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Zhixin; Tang, Jingyu; Jing, Hantao; Fan, Ruirui; Li, Qiang; Ning, Changjun; Bao, Jie; Ruan, Xichao; Luan, Guangyuan; Feng, Changqin; Zhang, Xianpeng

2018-05-01

The white neutron beamline at the China Spallation Neutron Source will be used mainly for nuclear data measurements. It will be characterized by high flux and broad energy spectra. To exploit the beamline as a neutron imaging source, we propose a liquid scintillator fiber array for fast neutron resonance radiography. The fiber detector unit has a small exposed area, which will limit the event counts and separate the events in time, thus satisfying the requirements for single-event time-of-flight (SEToF) measurement. The current study addresses the physical design criteria for ToF measurement, including flux estimation and detector response. Future development and potential application of the technology are also discussed.

Absolute measurements of fast neutrons using yttrium.

PubMed

Roshan, M V; Springham, S V; Rawat, R S; Lee, P; Krishnan, M

2010-08-01

Yttrium is presented as an absolute neutron detector for pulsed neutron sources. It has high sensitivity for detecting fast neutrons. Yttrium has the property of generating a monoenergetic secondary radiation in the form of a 909 keV gamma-ray caused by inelastic neutron interaction. It was calibrated numerically using MCNPX and does not need periodic recalibration. The total yttrium efficiency for detecting 2.45 MeV neutrons was determined to be f(n) approximately 4.1x10(-4) with an uncertainty of about 0.27%. The yttrium detector was employed in the NX2 plasma focus experiments and showed the neutron yield of the order of 10(8) neutrons per discharge.

Impact of detector simulation in particle physics collider experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Elvira, V. Daniel

Through the last three decades, precise simulation of the interactions of particles with matter and modeling of detector geometries has proven to be of critical importance to the success of the international high-energy physics experimental programs. For example, the detailed detector modeling and accurate physics of the Geant4-based simulation software of the CMS and ATLAS particle physics experiments at the European Center of Nuclear Research (CERN) Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was a determinant factor for these collaborations to deliver physics results of outstanding quality faster than any hadron collider experiment ever before. This review article highlights the impact of detectormore » simulation on particle physics collider experiments. It presents numerous examples of the use of simulation, from detector design and optimization, through software and computing development and testing, to cases where the use of simulation samples made a difference in the accuracy of the physics results and publication turnaround, from data-taking to submission. It also presents the economic impact and cost of simulation in the CMS experiment. Future experiments will collect orders of magnitude more data, taxing heavily the performance of simulation and reconstruction software for increasingly complex detectors. Consequently, it becomes urgent to find solutions to speed up simulation software in order to cope with the increased demand in a time of flat budgets. The study ends with a short discussion on the potential solutions that are being explored, by leveraging core count growth in multicore machines, using new generation coprocessors, and re-engineering of HEP code for concurrency and parallel computing.« less

Impact of detector simulation in particle physics collider experiments

DOE PAGES

Elvira, V. Daniel

2017-06-01

Through the last three decades, precise simulation of the interactions of particles with matter and modeling of detector geometries has proven to be of critical importance to the success of the international high-energy physics experimental programs. For example, the detailed detector modeling and accurate physics of the Geant4-based simulation software of the CMS and ATLAS particle physics experiments at the European Center of Nuclear Research (CERN) Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was a determinant factor for these collaborations to deliver physics results of outstanding quality faster than any hadron collider experiment ever before. This review article highlights the impact of detectormore » simulation on particle physics collider experiments. It presents numerous examples of the use of simulation, from detector design and optimization, through software and computing development and testing, to cases where the use of simulation samples made a difference in the accuracy of the physics results and publication turnaround, from data-taking to submission. It also presents the economic impact and cost of simulation in the CMS experiment. Future experiments will collect orders of magnitude more data, taxing heavily the performance of simulation and reconstruction software for increasingly complex detectors. Consequently, it becomes urgent to find solutions to speed up simulation software in order to cope with the increased demand in a time of flat budgets. The study ends with a short discussion on the potential solutions that are being explored, by leveraging core count growth in multicore machines, using new generation coprocessors, and re-engineering of HEP code for concurrency and parallel computing.« less

A novel fast-neutron tomography system based on a plastic scintillator array and a compact D-D neutron generator.

PubMed

Adams, Robert; Zboray, Robert; Prasser, Horst-Michael

2016-01-01

Very few experimental imaging studies using a compact neutron generator have been published, and to the knowledge of the authors none have included tomography results using multiple projection angles. Radiography results with a neutron generator, scintillator screen, and camera can be seen in Bogolubov et al. (2005), Cremer et al. (2012), and Li et al. (2014). Comparable results with a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube can be seen in Popov et al. (2011). One study using an array of individual fast neutron detectors in the context of cargo scanning for security purposes is detailed in Eberhardt et al. (2005). In that case, however, the emphasis was on very large objects with a resolution on the order of 1cm, whereas this study focuses on less massive objects and a finer spatial resolution. In Andersson et al. (2014) three fast neutron counters and a D-T generator were used to perform attenuation measurements of test phantoms. Based on the axisymmetry of the test phantoms, the single-projection information was used to calculate radial attenuation distributions of the object, which was compared with the known geometry. In this paper a fast-neutron tomography system based on an array of individual detectors and a purpose-designed compact D-D neutron generator is presented. Each of the 88 detectors consists of a plastic scintillator read out by two Silicon photomultipliers and a dedicated pulse-processing board. Data acquisition for all channels was handled by four single-board microcontrollers. Details of the individual detector design and testing are elaborated upon. Using the complete array, several fast-neutron images of test phantoms were reconstructed, one of which was compared with results using a Co-60 gamma source. The system was shown to be capable of 2mm resolution, with exposure times on the order of several hours per reconstructed tomogram. Details about these measurements and the analysis of the reconstructed images are given, along with a discussion of the capabilities of the system and its outlook. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of electron transport properties on unipolar CdZnTe radiation detectors: LUND, SpectrumPlus, and Coplanar Grid

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ralph B. James

2000-01-07

Device simulations of (1) the laterally-contacted-unipolar-nuclear detector (LUND), (2) the SpectrumPlus, (3) and the coplanar grid made of Cd{sub 0.9}Zn{sub 0.1}Te (CZT) were performed for {sup 137}Cs irradiation by 662.15 keV gamma-rays. Realistic and controlled simulations of the gamma-ray interactions with the CZT material were done using the MCNP4B2 Monte Carlo program, and the detector responses were simulated using the Sandia three-dimensional multielectrode simulation program (SandTMSP). The simulations were done for the best and the worst expected carrier nobilities and lifetimes of currently commercially available CZT materials for radiation detector applications. For the simulated unipolar devices, the active device volumesmore » were relatively large and the energy resolutions were fairly good, but these performance characteristics were found to be very sensitive to the materials properties. The internal electric fields, the weighting potentials, and the charge induced efficiency maps were calculated to give insights into the operation of these devices.« less

Experimental studies with two novel silicon detectors for the development of time-of-flight spectrometry of laser-accelerated proton beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Würl, M.; Reinhardt, S.; Rosenfeld, A.; Petasecca, M.; Lerch, M.; Tran, L.; Karsch, S.; Assmann, W.; Schreiber, J.; Parodi, K.

2017-01-01

Laser-accelerated proton beams exhibit remarkably different beam characteristics as compared to conventionally accelerated ion beams. About 105 to 107 particles per MeV and msr are accelerated quasi-instantaneously within about 1 ps. The resulting energy spectrum typically shows an exponentially decaying distribution. Our planned approach to determine the energy spectrum of the particles generated in each pulse is to exploit the time-of-flight (TOF) difference of protons with different kinetic energies at 1 m distance from the laser-target interaction. This requires fast and sensitive detectors. We therefore tested two prototype silicon detectors, developed at the Centre for Medical Radiation Physics at the University of Wollongong with a current amplifier, regarding their suitability for TOF-spectrometry in terms of sensitivity and timing properties. For the latter, we illuminated the detectors with short laser pulses, measured the signal current and compared it to the signal of a fast photodiode. The comparison revealed that the timing properties of both prototypes are not yet sufficient for our purpose. In contrast, our results regarding the detectors’ sensitivity are promising. The lowest detectable proton flux at 10 MeV was found to be 25 protons per ns on the detector. With this sensitivity and with a smaller pixelation of the detectors, the timing properties can be improved for new prototypes, making them potential candidates for TOF-spectrometry of laser-accelerated particle beams.

Simulating the Response of a New Beta Delayed Proton Detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roosa, Michael; Friedman, Moshe; Wrede, Christopher

2017-09-01

To better understand reactions of astrophysical importance, such as 15O(α, γ)19Ne and 30P(p, γ)31S, a new gas filled detector of β-delayed charged particles has been designed and built for use at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory. The detector has separate drift and proportional amplification regions provided by a flex-board field cage and a Micromegas structure, respectively. We have developed a simulation to model the response of this detector using Magboltz and Garfield++ which calculate the electron transport and amplification through the two regions. The simulation provides information that is useful for understanding the microscopic function of the detector and will help optimize its operation. This work is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation under Award Nos. PHY-1102511 and PHY- 1565546 and the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, under Award No. DE-SC0016052.

Pulse shape discrimination based on fast signals from silicon photomultipliers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Junhao; Wei, Zhiyong; Fang, Meihua; Zhang, Zixia; Cheng, Can; Wang, Yi; Su, Huiwen; Ran, Youquan; Zhu, Qingwei; Zhang, He; Duan, Kai; Chen, Ming; Liu, Meng

2018-06-01

Recent developments in organic plastic scintillators capable of pulse shape discrimination (PSD) enable a breakthrough in discrimination between neutrons and gammas. Plastic scintillator detectors coupled with silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) offer many advantages, such as lower power consumption, smaller volume, and especially insensitivity to magnetic fields, compared with conventional photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). A SensL SiPM has two outputs: a standard output and a fast output. It is known that the charge injected into the fast output electrode is typically approximately 2% of the total charge generated during the avalanche, whereas the charge injected into the standard output electrode is nearly 98% of the total. Fast signals from SiPMs exhibit better performance in terms of timing and time-correlated measurements compared with standard signals. The pulse duration of a standard signal is on the order of hundreds of nanoseconds, whereas the pulse duration of the main monopole waveform of a fast signal is a few tens of nanoseconds. Fast signals are traditionally thought to be suitable for photon counting at very high speeds but unsuitable for PSD due to the partial charge collection. Meanwhile, the standard outputs of SiPMs coupled with discriminating scintillators have yielded nice PSD performances, but there have been no reports on PSD using fast signals. Our analysis shows that fast signals can also provide discrimination if the rate of charge injection into the fast output electrode is fixed for each event, even though only a portion of the charge is collected. In this work, we achieved successful PSD using fast signals; meanwhile, using a coincidence timing window of less 3 nanoseconds between the readouts from both ends of the detector reduced the influence of the high SiPM dark current. We experimentally achieved good timing performance and PSD capability simultaneously.

Plural-wavelength flame detector that discriminates between direct and reflected radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Gregory H. (Inventor); Barnes, Heidi L. (Inventor); Medelius, Pedro J. (Inventor); Simpson, Howard J. (Inventor); Smith, Harvey S. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

A flame detector employs a plurality of wavelength selective radiation detectors and a digital signal processor programmed to analyze each of the detector signals, and determine whether radiation is received directly from a small flame source that warrants generation of an alarm. The processor's algorithm employs a normalized cross-correlation analysis of the detector signals to discriminate between radiation received directly from a flame and radiation received from a reflection of a flame to insure that reflections will not trigger an alarm. In addition, the algorithm employs a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) frequency spectrum analysis of one of the detector signals to discriminate between flames of different sizes. In a specific application, the detector incorporates two infrared (IR) detectors and one ultraviolet (UV) detector for discriminating between a directly sensed small hydrogen flame, and reflections from a large hydrogen flame. The signals generated by each of the detectors are sampled and digitized for analysis by the digital signal processor, preferably 250 times a second. A sliding time window of approximately 30 seconds of detector data is created using FIFO memories.

Design and characterization of free-running InGaAsP single-photon detector with active-quenching technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Junliang; Zhang, Tingfa; Li, Yongfu; Ding, Lei; Tao, Junchao; Wang, Ying; Wang, Qingpu; Fang, Jiaxiong

2017-07-01

A free-running single-photon detector for 1.06 μm wavelength based on an InGaAsP/InP single-photon avalanche diode is presented. The detector incorporates an ultra-fast active-quenching technique to greatly lessen the afterpulsing effects. An improved method for avalanche characterization using electroluminescence is proposed, and the performance of the detector is evaluated. The number of avalanche carriers is as low as 1.68 ×106 , resulting in a low total afterpulse probability of 4% at 233 K, 10% detection efficiency, and 1 μs hold-off time.

Characterization of the ETEL D784UKFLB 11 in. photomultiplier tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barros, N.; Kaptanoglu, T.; Kimelman, B.; Klein, J. R.; Moore, E.; Nguyen, J.; Stavreva, K.; Svoboda, R.

2017-04-01

Water Cherenkov and scintillator detectors are a critical tool for neutrino physics. Their large size, low threshold, and low operational cost make them excellent detectors for long baseline neutrino oscillations, proton decay, supernova and solar neutrinos, double beta decay, and ultra-high energy astrophysical neutrinos. Proposals for a new generation of large detectors rely on the availability of large format, fast, cost-effective photomultiplier tubes. The Electron Tubes Enterprises, Ltd (ETEL) D784KFLB 11 in. Photomultiplier Tube has been developed for large neutrino detectors. We have measured the timing characteristics, relative efficiency, and magnetic field sensitivity of the first fifteen prototypes.

Editorial

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruzzi, Mara; Cartiglia, Nicolo; Pace, Emanuele; Talamonti, Cinzia

2015-10-01

The 10th edition of the International Conference on Radiation Effects on Semiconductor Materials, Detectors and Devices (RESMDD) was held in Florence, at Dipartimento di Fisica ed Astronomia on October 8-10, 2014. It has been aimed at discussing frontier research activities in several application fields as nuclear and particle physics, astrophysics, medical and solid-state physics. Main topics discussed in this conference concern performance of heavily irradiated silicon detectors, developments required for the luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC), ultra-fast silicon detectors design and manufacturing, high-band gap semiconductor detectors, novel semiconductor-based devices for medical applications, radiation damage issues in semiconductors and related radiation-hardening technologies.

Digital pulse processing and electronic noise analysis for improving energy resolutions in planar TlBr detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tada, Tsutomu; Hitomi, Keitaro; Tanaka, Tomonobu; Wu, Yan; Kim, Seong-Yun; Yamazaki, Hiromichi; Ishii, Keizo

2011-05-01

Digital pulse processing and electronic noise analysis are proposed for improving energy resolution in planar thallium bromide (TlBr) detectors. An energy resolution of 5.8% FWHM at 662 keV was obtained from a 0.5 mm thick planar TlBr detector at room temperature using a digitizer with a sampling rate of 100 MS/s and 8 bit resolution. The electronic noise in the detector-preamplifier system was measured as a function of pulse shaping time in order to investigate the optimum shaping time for the detector. The depth of interaction (DOI) in TlBr detectors for incident gamma-rays was determined by taking the ratio of pulse heights for fast-shaped to slow-shaped signals. FWHM energy resolution of the detector was improved from 5.8% to 4.2% by implementing depth correction and by using the obtained optimum shaping time.

The timing resolution of scintillation-detector systems: Monte Carlo analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choong, Woon-Seng

2009-11-01

Recent advancements in fast scintillating materials and fast photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) have stimulated renewed interest in time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET). It is well known that the improvement in the timing resolution in PET can significantly reduce the noise variance in the reconstructed image resulting in improved image quality. In order to evaluate the timing performance of scintillation detectors used in TOF PET, we use Monte Carlo analysis to model the physical processes (crystal geometry, crystal surface finish, scintillator rise time, scintillator decay time, photoelectron yield, PMT transit time spread, PMT single-electron response, amplifier response and time pick-off method) that can contribute to the timing resolution of scintillation-detector systems. In the Monte Carlo analysis, the photoelectron emissions are modeled by a rate function, which is used to generate the photoelectron time points. The rate function, which is simulated using Geant4, represents the combined intrinsic light emissions of the scintillator and the subsequent light transport through the crystal. The PMT output signal is determined by the superposition of the PMT single-electron response resulting from the photoelectron emissions. The transit time spread and the single-electron gain variation of the PMT are modeled in the analysis. Three practical time pick-off methods are considered in the analysis. Statistically, the best timing resolution is achieved with the first photoelectron timing. The calculated timing resolution suggests that a leading edge discriminator gives better timing performance than a constant fraction discriminator and produces comparable results when a two-threshold or three-threshold discriminator is used. For a typical PMT, the effect of detector noise on the timing resolution is negligible. The calculated timing resolution is found to improve with increasing mean photoelectron yield, decreasing scintillator decay time and decreasing transit time spread. However, only substantial improvement in the timing resolution is obtained with improved transit time spread if the first photoelectron timing is less than the transit time spread. While the calculated timing performance does not seem to be affected by the pixel size of the crystal, it improves for an etched crystal compared to a polished crystal. In addition, the calculated timing resolution degrades with increasing crystal length. These observations can be explained by studying the initial photoelectron rate. Experimental measurements provide reasonably good agreement with the calculated timing resolution. The Monte Carlo analysis developed in this work will allow us to optimize the scintillation detectors for timing and to understand the physical factors limiting their performance.

The timing resolution of scintillation-detector systems: Monte Carlo analysis.

PubMed

Choong, Woon-Seng

2009-11-07

Recent advancements in fast scintillating materials and fast photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) have stimulated renewed interest in time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET). It is well known that the improvement in the timing resolution in PET can significantly reduce the noise variance in the reconstructed image resulting in improved image quality. In order to evaluate the timing performance of scintillation detectors used in TOF PET, we use Monte Carlo analysis to model the physical processes (crystal geometry, crystal surface finish, scintillator rise time, scintillator decay time, photoelectron yield, PMT transit time spread, PMT single-electron response, amplifier response and time pick-off method) that can contribute to the timing resolution of scintillation-detector systems. In the Monte Carlo analysis, the photoelectron emissions are modeled by a rate function, which is used to generate the photoelectron time points. The rate function, which is simulated using Geant4, represents the combined intrinsic light emissions of the scintillator and the subsequent light transport through the crystal. The PMT output signal is determined by the superposition of the PMT single-electron response resulting from the photoelectron emissions. The transit time spread and the single-electron gain variation of the PMT are modeled in the analysis. Three practical time pick-off methods are considered in the analysis. Statistically, the best timing resolution is achieved with the first photoelectron timing. The calculated timing resolution suggests that a leading edge discriminator gives better timing performance than a constant fraction discriminator and produces comparable results when a two-threshold or three-threshold discriminator is used. For a typical PMT, the effect of detector noise on the timing resolution is negligible. The calculated timing resolution is found to improve with increasing mean photoelectron yield, decreasing scintillator decay time and decreasing transit time spread. However, only substantial improvement in the timing resolution is obtained with improved transit time spread if the first photoelectron timing is less than the transit time spread. While the calculated timing performance does not seem to be affected by the pixel size of the crystal, it improves for an etched crystal compared to a polished crystal. In addition, the calculated timing resolution degrades with increasing crystal length. These observations can be explained by studying the initial photoelectron rate. Experimental measurements provide reasonably good agreement with the calculated timing resolution. The Monte Carlo analysis developed in this work will allow us to optimize the scintillation detectors for timing and to understand the physical factors limiting their performance.

Detector Development for the abBA Experiment.

PubMed

Seo, P-N; Bowman, J D; Mitchell, G S; Penttila, S I; Wilburn, W S

2005-01-01

We have developed a new type of field-expansion spectrometer to measure the neutron beta decay correlations (a, b, B, and A). A precision measurement of these correlations places stringent requirements on charged particle detectors. The design employs large area segmented silicon detectors to detect both protons and electrons in coincidence. Other requirements include good energy resolution (< 5 keV), a thin dead layer to allow observation of 30-keV protons, fast timing resolution (~1 ns) to reconstruct electron-backscattering events, and nearly unity efficiency. We report results of testing commercially available surface-barrier silicon detectors for energy resolution and timing performance, and measurement of the dead-layer thickness of ion-implanted silicon detectors with a 3.2 MeV alpha source.

A new fast detection system at the KWS-2 high-intensity SANS diffractometer of the JCNS at MLZ - prototype test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radulescu, A.; Arend, N.; Drochner, M.; Ioffe, A.; Kemmerling, G.; Ossovyi, V.; Staringer, S.; Vehres, G.; McKinny, K.; Olechnowicz, B.; Yen, D.

2016-09-01

A new detection system based on an array of 3He tubes and innovative fast detection electronics was designed and produced by GE Reuter Stokes for the high-intensity small-angle neutron scattering diffractometer KWS-2, operated by the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) at the Heinz Meier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ). The new detector consists of a panel array of 144 3He tubes and a new fast read-out electronics. The electronics is mounted in a closed case in the backside of the 3He tubes panel array and will operate at ambient atmosphere under cooling air stream. The new detection system is composed of eighteen 8-pack modules of 3He-tubes that work independently of one another (each unit has its own processor and electronics). Knowing beforehand the performance of one detector unit and of one single tube detector is prerequisite for tuning and maximizing the performance of the complete detection system. In this paper we present the results of the tests of the prototyped 8-pack of 3He-tubes and corresponding electronics, which have been carried out at the JCNS instruments KWS-2 (in high flux conditions) and TREFF.

Beam test results of a 16 ps timing system based on ultra-fast silicon detectors

DOE PAGES

Cartiglia, N.; Staiano, A.; Sola, V.; ...

2017-04-01

In this paper we report on the timing resolution obtained in a beam test with pions of 180 GeV/c momentum at CERN for the first production of 45 μm thick Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD). UFSD are based on the Low- Gain Avalanche Detector (LGAD) design, employing n-on-p silicon sensors with internal charge multiplication due to the presence of a thin, low-resistivity diffusion layer below the junction. The UFSD used in this test had a pad area of 1.7 mm 2. The gain was measured to vary between 5 and 70 depending on the sensor bias voltage. The experimental setup includedmore » three UFSD and a fast trigger consisting of a quartz bar readout by a SiPM. The timing resolution was determined by doing Gaussian fits to the time-of-flight of the particles between one or more UFSD and the trigger counter. For a single UFSD the resolution was measured to be 34 ps for a bias voltage of 200 V, and 27 ps for a bias voltage of 230 V. For the combination of 3 UFSD the timing resolution was 20 ps for a bias voltage of 200 V, and 16 ps for a bias voltage of 230 V.« less

Time-resolved fast-neutron radiography of air-water two-phase flows in a rectangular channel by an improved detection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zboray, Robert; Dangendorf, Volker; Mor, Ilan; Bromberger, Benjamin; Tittelmeier, Kai

2015-07-01

In a previous work, we have demonstrated the feasibility of high-frame-rate, fast-neutron radiography of generic air-water two-phase flows in a 1.5 cm thick, rectangular flow channel. The experiments have been carried out at the high-intensity, white-beam facility of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Germany, using an multi-frame, time-resolved detector developed for fast neutron resonance radiography. The results were however not fully optimal and therefore we have decided to modify the detector and optimize it for the given application, which is described in the present work. Furthermore, we managed to improve the image post-processing methodology and the noise suppression. Using the tailored detector and the improved post-processing, significant increase in the image quality and an order of magnitude lower exposure times, down to 3.33 ms, have been achieved with minimized motion artifacts. Similar to the previous study, different two-phase flow regimes such as bubbly slug and churn flows have been examined. The enhanced imaging quality enables an improved prediction of two-phase flow parameters like the instantaneous volumetric gas fraction, bubble size, and bubble velocities. Instantaneous velocity fields around the gas enclosures can also be more robustly predicted using optical flow methods as previously.

Beam test results of a 16 ps timing system based on ultra-fast silicon detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cartiglia, N.; Staiano, A.; Sola, V.; Arcidiacono, R.; Cirio, R.; Cenna, F.; Ferrero, M.; Monaco, V.; Mulargia, R.; Obertino, M.; Ravera, F.; Sacchi, R.; Bellora, A.; Durando, S.; Mandurrino, M.; Minafra, N.; Fadeyev, V.; Freeman, P.; Galloway, Z.; Gkougkousis, E.; Grabas, H.; Gruey, B.; Labitan, C. A.; Losakul, R.; Luce, Z.; McKinney-Martinez, F.; Sadrozinski, H. F.-W.; Seiden, A.; Spencer, E.; Wilder, M.; Woods, N.; Zatserklyaniy, A.; Pellegrini, G.; Hidalgo, S.; Carulla, M.; Flores, D.; Merlos, A.; Quirion, D.; Cindro, V.; Kramberger, G.; Mandić, I.; Mikuž, M.; Zavrtanik, M.

2017-04-01

In this paper we report on the timing resolution obtained in a beam test with pions of 180 GeV/c momentum at CERN for the first production of 45 μm thick Ultra-Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD). UFSD are based on the Low-Gain Avalanche Detector (LGAD) design, employing n-on-p silicon sensors with internal charge multiplication due to the presence of a thin, low-resistivity diffusion layer below the junction. The UFSD used in this test had a pad area of 1.7 mm2. The gain was measured to vary between 5 and 70 depending on the sensor bias voltage. The experimental setup included three UFSD and a fast trigger consisting of a quartz bar readout by a SiPM. The timing resolution was determined by doing Gaussian fits to the time-of-flight of the particles between one or more UFSD and the trigger counter. For a single UFSD the resolution was measured to be 34 ps for a bias voltage of 200 V, and 27 ps for a bias voltage of 230 V. For the combination of 3 UFSD the timing resolution was 20 ps for a bias voltage of 200 V, and 16 ps for a bias voltage of 230 V.

Novel directed search strategy to detect continuous gravitational waves from neutron stars in low- and high-eccentricity binary systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leaci, Paola; Astone, Pia; D'Antonio, Sabrina; Frasca, Sergio; Palomba, Cristiano; Piccinni, Ornella; Mastrogiovanni, Simone

2017-06-01

We describe a novel, very fast and robust, directed search incoherent method (which means that the phase information is lost) for periodic gravitational waves from neutron stars in binary systems. As a directed search, we assume the source sky position to be known with enough accuracy, but all other parameters (including orbital ones) are supposed to be unknown. We exploit the frequency modulation due to source orbital motion to unveil the signal signature by commencing from a collection of time and frequency peaks (the so-called "peakmap"). We validate our algorithm (pipeline), adding 131 artificial continuous-wave signals from pulsars in binary systems to simulated detector Gaussian noise, characterized by a power spectral density Sh=4 ×10-24 Hz-1 /2 in the frequency interval [70, 200] Hz, which is overall commensurate with the advanced detector design sensitivities. The pipeline detected 128 signals, and the weakest signal injected (added) and detected has a gravitational-wave strain amplitude of ˜10-24, assuming one month of gapless data collected by a single advanced detector. We also provide sensitivity estimations, which show that, for a single-detector data covering one month of observation time, depending on the source orbital Doppler modulation, we can detect signals with an amplitude of ˜7 ×10-25. By using three detectors, and one year of data, we would easily gain a factor 3 in sensitivity, translating into being able to detect weaker signals. We also discuss the parameter estimate proficiency of our method, as well as computational budget: sifting one month of single-detector data and 131 Hz-wide frequency range takes roughly 2.4 CPU hours. Hence, the current procedure can be readily applied in ally-sky schemes, sieving in parallel as many sky positions as permitted by the available computational power. Finally, we introduce (ongoing and future) approaches to attain sensitivity improvements and better accuracy on parameter estimates in view of the use on real advanced detector data.

Optimization of a fast optical CT scanner for nPAG gel dosimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vandecasteele, Jan; DeDeene, Yves

2009-05-01

A fast laser scanning optical CT scanner was constructed and optimized at the Ghent university. The first images acquired were contaminated with several imaging artifacts. The origins of the artifacts were investigated. Performance characteristics of different components were measured such as the laser spot size, light attenuation by the lenses and the dynamic range of the photo-detector. The need for a differential measurement using a second photo-detector was investigated. Post processing strategies to compensate for hardware related errors were developed. Drift of the laser and of the detector was negligible. Incorrectly refractive index matching was dealt with by developing an automated matching process. When scratches on the water bath and phantom container are present, these pose a post processing challenge to eliminate the resulting artifacts from the reconstructed images Secondary laser spots due to multiple reflections need to be further investigated. The time delay in the control of the galvanometer and detector was dealt with using black strips that serve as markers of the projection position. Still some residual ringing artifacts are present. Several small volumetric test phantoms were constructed to obtain an overall picture of the accuracy.

Neutron detection using a water Cherenkov detector with pure water and a single PMT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sidelnik, Iván; Asorey, Hernán; Blostein, Juan Jerónimo; Gómez Berisso, Mariano

2017-12-01

We present the performance of a novel neutron detector based on a water Cherenkov detector (WCD) employing pure water and a single photomultiplier tube (PMT). The experiments presented in this work were performed using 241AmBe and 252Cf neutron sources in different neutron moderator and shielding configurations. We show that fast neutrons from the 241AmBe and 241Cf sources, as well as thermal neutrons from a neutron moderator, despite having different spectral characteristics, produce essentially the same pulse histogram shape. This characteristic pulse-height histogram shapes are recorded as a clear signature of neutrons with energies lower than ≃ 11 MeV . This is verified in different experimental conditions. Our estimation of the neutron detection efficiency is at the level of (15±5)%, for fast neutrons. Since water is the material employed as active volume, the results of this study are of interest for the construction of low cost and large active volume neutron detectors for various applications. Of special importance are those related with space weather phenomena monitoring as well as those for the detection of fissile special nuclear material, including uranium or plutonium.

Flow injection gas chromatography with sulfur chemiluminescence detection for the analysis of total sulfur in complex hydrocarbon matrixes.

PubMed

Hua, Yujuan; Hawryluk, Myron; Gras, Ronda; Shearer, Randall; Luong, Jim

2018-01-01

A fast and reliable analytical technique for the determination of total sulfur levels in complex hydrocarbon matrices is introduced. The method employed flow injection technique using a gas chromatograph as a sample introduction device and a gas phase dual-plasma sulfur chemiluminescence detector for sulfur quantification. Using the technique described, total sulfur measurement in challenging hydrocarbon matrices can be achieved in less than 10 s with sample-to-sample time <2 min. The high degree of selectivity and sensitivity toward sulfur compounds of the detector offers the ability to measure low sulfur levels with a detection limit in the range of 20 ppb w/w S. The equimolar response characteristic of the detector allows the quantitation of unknown sulfur compounds and simplifies the calibration process. Response is linear over a concentration range of five orders of magnitude, with a high degree of repeatability. The detector's lack of response to hydrocarbons enables direct analysis without the need for time-consuming sample preparation and chromatographic separation processes. This flow injection-based sulfur chemiluminescence detection technique is ideal for fast analysis or trace sulfur analysis. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Improved image quality using monolithic scintillator detectors with dual-sided readout in a whole-body TOF-PET ring: a simulation study.

PubMed

Tabacchini, Valerio; Surti, Suleman; Borghi, Giacomo; Karp, Joel S; Schaart, Dennis R

2017-02-13

We have recently built and characterized the performance of a monolithic scintillator detector based on a 32 mm  ×  32 mm  ×  22 mm LYSO:Ce crystal read out by digital silicon photomultiplier (dSiPM) arrays coupled to the crystal front and back surfaces in a dual-sided readout (DSR) configuration. The detector spatial resolution appeared to be markedly better than that of a detector consisting of the same crystal with conventional back-sided readout (BSR). Here, we aim to evaluate the influence of this difference in the detector spatial response on the quality of reconstructed images, so as to quantify the potential benefit of the DSR approach for high-resolution, whole-body time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) applications. We perform Monte Carlo simulations of clinical PET systems based on BSR and DSR detectors, using the results of our detector characterization experiments to model the detector spatial responses. We subsequently quantify the improvement in image quality obtained with DSR compared to BSR, using clinically relevant metrics such as the contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) and the area under the localized receiver operating characteristic curve (ALROC). Finally, we compare the results with simulated rings of pixelated detectors with DOI capability. Our results show that the DSR detector produces significantly higher CRC and increased ALROC values than the BSR detector. The comparison with pixelated systems indicates that one would need to choose a crystal size of 3.2 mm with three DOI layers to match the performance of the BSR detector, while a pixel size of 1.3 mm with three DOI layers would be required to get on par with the DSR detector.

Improved image quality using monolithic scintillator detectors with dual-sided readout in a whole-body TOF-PET ring: a simulation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabacchini, Valerio; Surti, Suleman; Borghi, Giacomo; Karp, Joel S.; Schaart, Dennis R.

2017-03-01

We have recently built and characterized the performance of a monolithic scintillator detector based on a 32 mm  ×  32 mm  ×  22 mm LYSO:Ce crystal read out by digital silicon photomultiplier (dSiPM) arrays coupled to the crystal front and back surfaces in a dual-sided readout (DSR) configuration. The detector spatial resolution appeared to be markedly better than that of a detector consisting of the same crystal with conventional back-sided readout (BSR). Here, we aim to evaluate the influence of this difference in the detector spatial response on the quality of reconstructed images, so as to quantify the potential benefit of the DSR approach for high-resolution, whole-body time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET) applications. We perform Monte Carlo simulations of clinical PET systems based on BSR and DSR detectors, using the results of our detector characterization experiments to model the detector spatial responses. We subsequently quantify the improvement in image quality obtained with DSR compared to BSR, using clinically relevant metrics such as the contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) and the area under the localized receiver operating characteristic curve (ALROC). Finally, we compare the results with simulated rings of pixelated detectors with DOI capability. Our results show that the DSR detector produces significantly higher CRC and increased ALROC values than the BSR detector. The comparison with pixelated systems indicates that one would need to choose a crystal size of 3.2 mm with three DOI layers to match the performance of the BSR detector, while a pixel size of 1.3 mm with three DOI layers would be required to get on par with the DSR detector.

Detection of gamma-neutron radiation by solid-state scintillation detectors. Detection of gamma-neutron radiation by novel solid-state scintillation detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ryzhikov, V.; Grinyov, B.; Piven, L.

It is known that solid-state scintillators can be used for detection of both gamma radiation and neutron flux. In the past, neutron detection efficiencies of such solid-state scintillators did not exceed 5-7%. At the same time it is known that the detection efficiency of the gamma-neutron radiation characteristic of nuclear fissionable materials is by an order of magnitude higher than the efficiency of detection of neutron fluxes alone. Thus, an important objective is the creation of detection systems that are both highly efficient in gamma-neutron detection and also capable of exhibiting high gamma suppression for use in the role ofmore » detection of neutron radiation. In this work, we present the results of our experimental and theoretical studies on the detection efficiency of fast neutrons from a {sup 239}Pu-Be source by the heavy oxide scintillators BGO, GSO, CWO and ZWO, as well as ZnSe(Te, O). The most probable mechanism of fast neutron interaction with nuclei of heavy oxide scintillators is the inelastic scattering (n, n'γ) reaction. In our work, fast neutron detection efficiencies were determined by the method of internal counting of gamma-quanta that emerge in the scintillator from (n, n''γ) reactions on scintillator nuclei with the resulting gamma energies of ∼20-300 keV. The measured efficiency of neutron detection for the scintillation crystals we considered was ∼40-50 %. The present work included a detailed analysis of detection efficiency as a function of detector and area of the working surface, as well as a search for new ways to create larger-sized detectors of lower cost. As a result of our studies, we have found an unusual dependence of fast neutron detection efficiency upon thickness of the oxide scintillators. An explanation for this anomaly may involve the competition of two factors that accompany inelastic scattering on the heavy atomic nuclei. The transformation of the energy spectrum of neutrons involved in the (n, n'γ) reactions towards lower energies and the isotropic character of scattering of the secondary neutrons may lead to the observed limitation of the length of effective interaction, since a fraction of the secondary neutrons that propagate in the forward direction are not subject to further inelastic scattering because of their substantially lower energy. At these reduced energies, it is the capture cross-section (n, γ) that becomes predominant, resulting in lower detection efficiency. Based on these results, several types of detectors have been envisioned for application in detection systems for nuclear materials. The testing results for one such detector are presented in this work. We have studied the possibility of creation of a composite detector with scintillator granules placed inside a transparent polymer material. Because of the low transparency of such a dispersed scintillator, better light collection conditions are ensured by incorporation of a light guide between the scintillator layers. This guide is made of highly transparent polymer material. The use of a high-transparency hydrogen-containing polymer material for light guides not only ensures optimum conditions of light collection in the detector, but also allows certain deceleration of neutron radiation, increasing its interaction efficiency with the composite scintillation panels; accordingly, the detector signal is increased by 5-8%. When fast neutrons interact with the scintillator material, the resulting inelastic scattering gamma-quanta emerge, having different energies and different delay times with respect to the moment of the neutron interaction with the nucleus of the scintillator material (delay times ranging from 1x10{sup -9} to 1.3x10{sup -6} s). These internally generated gamma-quanta interact with the scintillator, and the resulting scintillation light is recorded by the photo-receiver. Since neutron sources are also strong sources of low-energy gamma-radiation, the use of dispersed ZnSe(Te) scintillator material provides high gamma-radiation detection efficiency in that energy range. This new type of gamma-neutron detector is based on a 'sandwich' structure using a ZnSe composite film and light guide with a fast neutron detection efficiency of about 6%. Its high detection efficiency of low-energy gamma-radiation allows a substantial increase (by an order of magnitude) in the efficiency of detection of neutron sources and transuranic materials by means of simultaneous detection of accompanying gamma-radiation. The design and fabrication technology of this detector allows the creation of gamma-neutron detectors characterized by high sensitivity at relatively low costs (as compared with analogs using oxide scintillators) for portable inspection systems. The sandwich structure can be comprised of any number of plates, with no limitations on thickness or area.« less

Large-area, low-noise, high-speed, photodiode-based fluorescence detectors with fast overdrive recovery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bickman, S.; DeMille, D.

2005-11-15

Two large-area, low-noise, high-speed fluorescence detectors have been built. One detector consists of a photodiode with an area of 28 mmx28 mm and a low-noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has a input light-equivalent spectral noise density of less than 3 pW/{radical}(Hz), can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10 {mu}s, and has a bandwidth of at least 900 kHz. The second detector consists of a 16-mm-diam avalanche photodiode and a low-noise transimpedance amplifier. This detector has an input light-equivalent spectral noise density of 0.08 pW/{radical}(Hz), also can recover from a large scattered light pulse within 10 {mu}s, andmore » has a bandwidth of 1 MHz.« less

Performance-Enhanced Bolometric Terahertz Detectors Based on V2O5 for 15 to 30 THz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumesh, M. A.; Karanth, S. P.; Thomas, Beno; Rao, G. M.; Viswanathan, M.; Chakraborty, P.; Rao, G. N.

2017-02-01

Terahertz (THz) radiation perception using uncooled detectors are gaining importance due to the increasing demands in the areas of military, space, and industrial, medical, and surveillance applications. In spite of the efforts of researchers to fill the THz gap, there exists a need for detectors in the range between 15 THz and 30 THz. In this paper, we discuss the development of bolometric detectors whose performance is enhanced by an optical immersion technique and their characterization in the aforesaid range of frequencies. These detectors are characterized by high specific detectivity ( D*) of 1.28 × 109 cmHz1/2 W-1 and high radiometric resolution (noise-equivalent temperature difference = 26 mK) and are fast enough for bolometric detectors (time constant = 1.7 ms), which make them suitable for spectroscopic and imaging applications.

Analytical modeling and numerical simulation of the short-wave infrared electron-injection detectors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Movassaghi, Yashar; Fathipour, Morteza; Fathipour, Vala

2016-03-21

This paper describes comprehensive analytical and simulation models for the design and optimization of the electron-injection based detectors. The electron-injection detectors evaluated here operate in the short-wave infrared range and utilize a type-II band alignment in InP/GaAsSb/InGaAs material system. The unique geometry of detectors along with an inherent negative-feedback mechanism in the device allows for achieving high internal avalanche-free amplifications without any excess noise. Physics-based closed-form analytical models are derived for the detector rise time and dark current. Our optical gain model takes into account the drop in the optical gain at high optical power levels. Furthermore, numerical simulation studiesmore » of the electrical characteristics of the device show good agreement with our analytical models as well experimental data. Performance comparison between devices with different injector sizes shows that enhancement in the gain and speed is anticipated by reducing the injector size. Sensitivity analysis for the key detector parameters shows the relative importance of each parameter. The results of this study may provide useful information and guidelines for development of future electron-injection based detectors as well as other heterojunction photodetectors.« less

New generation of Cherenkov counters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giomataris, Y.; Charpak, G.; Peskov, V.; Sauli, F.

1992-12-01

Experimental results with a parallel plate avalanche chamber (PPAC) having a CsI photocathode and pad array readout are reported. High gains in excess of 10 5 have been obtained with He gas at atmospheric pressure and traces of CH 4 or CF 4 quencher. Such light gas mixtures extend the transparency for the Cherenkov light to the extreme UV region and allow detector operation with very low sensitivity to the ionization produced by minimum ionizing particles. A hadron blind detector (HBD) is discussed which exploits the broad photon energy bandwidth (≈ 10 eV) and the high Cherenkov threshold ( pπ = 15 GeV). This fast detector, since it has a good spatial resolution, can be used at the future Large Hadron Collider (LHC) or the Superconductivity Super Collider (SSC) either as an efficient electron tagger, rejecting hadrons faking electrons in the calorimeter, or as a pretracker giving fast electron and high-energy muon signature and momentum estimation. Other potential applications in the domain of Cherenkov light detection are also discussed.

Laftr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barghi, M. R., Sr.; Sample, J.; Forouzani, A.; Delaney, N.; Wells, E.; Parab, A.; Bowers, G. S.; Smith, D.; Martinez-McKinney, F.

2017-12-01

The Light and Fast TGF Recorder (LAFTR), is a joint institutional NASA balloon borne gamma-ray detector between undergraduates at Montana State University(MSU) and University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) designed to record an extremely bright sub-millisecond burst of gamma-rays observed to originate inside thunderstorms called Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs). The detector employs a fast small plastic scintillator(BC-408) to avoid oversaturation. The Scintillator output is read out by the SensL Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPm) complemented by a custom shaping circuit to narrow long exponential pulses outputted from the SiPm into a semi-gaussian pulse with a 40 ns FWHM to be read into a 6 channel discriminator board for coarse spectroscopy and output a Low Voltage Differential Signal(LVDS). The presentation will primarily focus on the significant experiences and skills acquired from the project by several team members such as the importance of team coordination in joint institutional projects,clear documentation, communication, and planning such detector systems under the NASA Guidelines.

Recent results on CVD diamond radiation sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weilhammer, P.; Adam, W.; Bauer, C.; Berdermann, E.; Bogani, F.; Borchi, E.; Bruzzi, M.; Colledani, C.; Conway, J.; Dabrowski, W.; Delpierre, P.; Deneuville, A.; Dulinski, W.; v. d. Eijk, R.; van Eijk, B.; Fallou, A.; Fish, D.; Fried, M.; Gan, K. K.; Gheeraert, E.; Grigoriev, E.; Hallewell, G.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Han, S.; Hartjes, F.; Hrubec, J.; Husson, D.; Kagan, H.; Kania, D.; Kaplon, J.; Kass, R.; Knopfle, K. T.; Krammer, M.; Manfredi, P. F.; Meier, D.; LeNormand; Pan, L. S.; Pernegger, H.; Pernicka, M.; Plano, R.; Re, V.; Riester, J. L.; Roe, S.; Roff; Rudge, A.; Schieber, M.; Schnetzer, S.; Sciortino, S.; Speziali, V.; Stelzer, H.; Stone, R.; Tapper, R. J.; Tesarek, R.; Thomson, G. B.; Trawick, M.; Trischuk, W.; Turchetta, R.; RD 42 Collaboration

1998-02-01

CVD diamond radiation sensors are being developed for possible use in trackers in the LHC experiments. The diamond promises to be radiation hard well beyond particle fluences that can be tolerated by Si sensors. Recent results from the RD 42 collaboration on charge collection distance and on radiation hardness of CVD diamond samples will be reported. Measurements with diamond tracking devices, both strip detectors and pixel detectors, will be discussed. Results from beam tests using a diamond strip detector which was read out with fast, 25 ns shaping time, radiation-hard pipeline electronics will be presented.

Investigation of a Multi-Anode Microchannel Plate PMT for Time-of-Flight PET

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choong, Woon-Seng

2010-10-01

We report on an investigation of a mulit-anode microchannel plate PMT for time-of-flight PET detector modules. The primary advantages of an MCP lie in its excellent timing properties (fast rise time and low transit time spread), compact size, and reasonably large active area, thus making it a good candidate for TOF applications. In addition, the anode can be segmented into an array of collection electrodes with fine pitch to attain good position sensitivity. In this paper, we investigate using the Photonis Planacon MCP-PMT with a pore size of 10 μm to construct a PET detector module, specifically for time-of-flight applications. We measure the single electron response by exciting the Planacon with pulsed laser diode. We also measure the performance of the Planacon as a PET detector by coupling a 4 mm×4 mm×10 mm LSO crystal to individual pixel to study its gain uniformity, energy resolution, and timing resolution. The rise time of the Planacon is 440 ps with pulse duration of about 1 ns. A transit time spread of 120 ps FWHM is achieved. The gain is fairly uniform across the central region of the Planacon, but drops off by as much as a factor of 2.5 around the edges. The energy resolution is fairly uniform across the Planacon with an average value of 18.6 ± 0.7% FWHM. While the average timing resolution of 252 ± 7 ps FWHM is achieved in the central region of the Planacon, it degrades to 280 ± 9 ps FWHM for edge pixels and 316 ± 15 ps FWHM for corner pixels. We compare the results with measurements performed with a fast timing conventional PMT (Hamamatsu R-9800). We find that the R9800, which has significantly higher PDE, has a better timing resolution than the Planacon. Furthermore, we perform detector simulations to calculate the improvement that can be achieved with a higher PDE Planacon. The calculation shows that the Planacon can achieve significantly better timing resolution if it can attain the same PDE as the R-9800, while only a 30% improvement is needed to yield a similar timing resolution as the R-9800.

Timing Characterization of Helium-4 Fast Neutron Detector with EJ-309 Organic Liquid Scintillator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Yinong; Zhu, Ting; Enqvist, Andreas

2018-01-01

Recently, the Helium-4 gas fast neutron scintillation detectors is being used in time-sensitive measurements, such time-of-flight and multiplicity counting. In this paper, a set of time aligned signals was acquired in a coincidence measurement using the Helium-4 gas detectors and EJ-309 liquid scintillators. The high-speed digitizer system is implanted with a trigger moving average window (MAW) unit combing with its constant fraction discriminator (CFD) feature. It can calculate a "time offset" to the timestamp value to get a higher resolution timestamp (up to 50 ps), which is better than the digitizer's time resolution (4 ns) [1]. The digitized waveforms were saved to the computer hard drive and post processed with digital analysis code to determine the difference of their arrival times. The full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the Gaussian fit was used as to examine the resolution. For the cascade decay of Cobalt-60 (1.17 and 1.33 MeV), the first version of the Helium-4 detector with two Hamamatsu R580 photomultipliers (PMT) installed at either end of the cylindrical gas chamber (20 cm in length and 4.4 cm in diameter) has a time resolution which is about 3.139 ns FWHM. With improved knowledge of the timing performance, the Helium-4 scintillation detectors are excellent for neutron energy spectrometry applications requiring high temporal and energy resolutions.

FALSTAFF: A new tool for fission studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dore, D.; Farget, F.; Lecolley, F.-R.; Lehaut, G.; Materna, T.; Pancin, J.; Panebianco, S.; Papaevangelou, Th.

2013-12-01

The future NFS installation will produce high intensity neutron beams from hundreds of keV up to 40 MeV. Taking advantage of this facility, data of particular interest for the nuclear community in view of the development of the fast reactor technology will be measured. The development of an experimental setup called FALSTAFF for a full characterization of actinide fission fragments has been undertaken. Fission fragment isotopic yields and associated neutron multiplicities will be measured as a function of the neutron energy. Based on time-of-flight and residual energy technique, the setup will allow the simultaneous measurement of the complementary fragments velocity and energy. The performances of TOF detectors of FALSTAFF will be presented and expected resolutions for fragment masses and neutron multiplicities, based on realistic simulations, will be shown.

Torsion limits from t t macr production at the LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Almeida, F. M. L.; de Andrade, F. R.; do Vale, M. A. B.; Nepomuceno, A. A.

2018-04-01

Torsion models constitute a well-known class of extended quantum gravity models. In this work, one investigates the phenomenological consequences of a torsion field interacting with top quarks at the LHC. A torsion field could appear as a new heavy state characterized by its mass and couplings to fermions. This new state would form a resonance decaying into a top antitop pair. The latest ATLAS t t ¯ production results from LHC 13 TeV data are used to set limits on torsion parameters. The integrated luminosity needed to observe torsion resonance at the next LHC upgrades are also evaluated, considering different values for the torsion mass and its couplings to Standard Model fermions. Finally, prospects for torsion exclusion at the future LHC phases II and III are obtained using fast detector simulations.

Raman lidar for hydrogen gas concentration monitoring and future radioactive waste management.

PubMed

Liméry, Anasthase; Cézard, Nicolas; Fleury, Didier; Goular, Didier; Planchat, Christophe; Bertrand, Johan; Hauchecorne, Alain

2017-11-27

A multi-channel Raman lidar has been developed, allowing for the first time simultaneous and high-resolution profiling of hydrogen gas and water vapor. The lidar measures vibrational Raman scattering in the UV (355 nm) domain. It works in a high-bandwidth photon counting regime using fast SiPM detectors and takes into account the spectral overlap between hydrogen and water vapor Raman spectra. Measurement of concentration profiles of H 2 and H 2 O are demonstrated along a 5-meter-long open gas cell with 1-meter resolution at 85 meters. The instrument precision is investigated by numerical simulation to anticipate the potential performance at longer range. This lidar could find applications in the French project Cigéo for monitoring radioactive waste disposal cells.

Self-consistent method for quantifying indium content from X-ray spectra of thick compound semiconductor specimens in a transmission electron microscope.

PubMed

Walther, T; Wang, X

2016-05-01

Based on Monte Carlo simulations of X-ray generation by fast electrons we calculate curves of effective sensitivity factors for analytical transmission electron microscopy based energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy including absorption and fluorescence effects, as a function of Ga K/L ratio for different indium and gallium containing compound semiconductors. For the case of InGaN alloy thin films we show that experimental spectra can thus be quantified without the need to measure specimen thickness or density, yielding self-consistent values for quantification with Ga K and Ga L lines. The effect of uncertainties in the detector efficiency are also shown to be reduced. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.

Optimization of {sup 6}LiF:ZnS(Ag) Scintillator Light Yield Using Geant4

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yehuda-Zada, Y.; Ben-Gurion University; Pritchard, K.

2015-07-01

Neutrons provide an effective tool to probe materials structure. Neutron diffraction is a method to determine the atomic and magnetic structure of a material based on neutron scattering. By this method a collimated incident beam of thermal neutrons heat the examined sample and based on the obtained diffraction pattern information on the structure of the material is provided. Research for developing a novel cold neutron detector for Chromatic Analysis Neutron Diffractometer Or Reflectometer (CANDOR) is underway at the NIST center for neutron research. The system unique design is aimed to provide over ten times fold faster analysis of materials thanmore » conventional system. In order to achieve the fast analysis a large number of neutron detectors is required. A key design constraint for this detector is the thickness of the neutron sensitive element. This is met using {sup 6}LiF:ZnS(Ag) scintillation material with embedded wavelength shifting (WLS) fibers conducting scintillation light to silicon photomultiplier photo-sensors. The detector sensitivity is determined by both the neutron capture probability ({sup 6}Li density) and the detectable light output produced by the ZnS(Ag) ionization, the latter of which is hindered by the fluorescence absorption of the scintillation light by the ZnS. Tradeoffs between the neutron capture probability, stimulated light production and light attenuation for determining the optimal stoichiometry of the {sup 6}LiF and ZnS(Ag) as well as the volume ratio of scintillator and fiber. Simulations performed using the GEANT4 Monte Carlo package were made in order to optimize the detector design. GEANT4 enables the investigation of the neutron interaction with the detector, the ionization process and the light transfer process following the nuclear process. The series of conversions required for this detector were modelled: - A cold neutron enters the sensor and is captured by {sup 6}Li in the scintillator mixture ({sup 6}Li (n,α) {sup 3}H reaction). The study of investigating the capture process probability for neutron energy of 5.1 meV to 2.27 meV (4 - 6 A) is presented. - Alpha particles and tritons travel for a few microns in the scintillation material (α ∼0.007 mm, T ∼0.04 mm) losing energy and ionizing the ZnS. The mean free path of the two particles in each of the component materials and the complete compound was investigated. - The ionization of the ZnS(Ag) scintillation material produces blue light photons with luminescence wavelength of 450 nm. The amount of light output produced for different grain sizes of ZnS is discussed. - A large portion of the scintillation photons are reabsorbed during their passage through the scintillation material. - The blue photons that reach the WLS fibers are absorbed by fluorescent dye and are re-emitted as green photons, conducted by the fiber to the SiPM photo-sensor. This work presents the CANDOR unique design and its design constrains, the results measured by the ultra-thin {sup 6}LiF:ZnS(Ag)-based neutron detector versus the simulation results for several binder concentrations. The light measurement attenuation results along with the measured stopping power were utilized to predict the sensitivity results of configuration with different ZnS grain size, weight ratios and fibers geometry (number and location). The simulations enable to optimize the final sensor design. This design successfully achieved both the high gamma rejection with a sensitive and accurate neutron event detection of 80 percent. (authors)« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cho, H; Ding, H; Ziemer, B

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of energy calibration and energy response characterization of a photon counting detector using x-ray fluorescence. Methods: A comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation study was done to investigate the influence of various geometric components on the x-ray fluorescence measurement. Different materials, sizes, and detection angles were simulated using Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) Monte Carlo package. Simulations were conducted using 100 kVp tungsten-anode spectra with 2 mm Al filter for a single pixel cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector with 3 × 3 mm2 in detection area. The fluorescence material was placed 300 mm away from both themore » x-ray source and the detector. For angular dependence measurement, the distance was decreased to 30 mm to reduce the simulation time. Compound materials, containing silver, barium, gadolinium, hafnium, and gold in cylindrical shape, were simulated. The object size varied from 5 to 100 mm in diameter. The angular dependence of fluorescence and scatter were simulated from 20° to 170° with an incremental step of 10° to optimize the fluorescence to scatter ratio. Furthermore, the angular dependence was also experimentally measured using a spectrometer (X-123CdTe, Amptek Inc., MA) to validate the simulation results. Results: The detection angle between 120° to 160° resulted in more optimal x-ray fluorescence to scatter ratio. At a detection angle of 120°, the object size did not have a significant effect on the fluorescence to scatter ratio. The experimental results of fluorescence angular dependence are in good agreement with the simulation results. The Kα and Kβ peaks of five materials could be identified. Conclusion: The simulation results show that the x-ray fluorescence procedure has the potential to be used for detector energy calibration and detector response characteristics by using the optimal system geometry.« less

Dynamics of direct X-ray detection processes in high-Z Bi2O3 nanoparticles-loaded PFO polymer-based diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ciavatti, A.; Cramer, T.; Carroli, M.; Basiricò, L.; Fuhrer, R.; De Leeuw, D. M.; Fraboni, B.

2017-10-01

Semiconducting polymer based X-ray detectors doped with high-Z nanoparticles hold the promise to combine mechanical flexibility and large-area processing with a high X-ray stopping power and sensitivity. Currently, a lack of understanding of how nanoparticle doping impacts the detector dynamics impedes the optimization of such detectors. Here, we study direct X-ray radiation detectors based on the semiconducting polymer poly(9,9-dioctyfluorene) blended with Bismuth(III)oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles (NPs). Pure polymer diodes show a high mobility of 1.3 × 10-5 cm2/V s, a low leakage current of 200 nA/cm2 at -80 V, and a high rectifying factor up to 3 × 105 that allow us to compare the X-ray response of a polymer detector in charge-injection conditions (forward bias) and in charge-collection conditions (reverse bias), together with the impact of NP-loading in the two operation regimes. When operated in reverse bias, the detectors reach the state of the art sensitivity of 24 μC/Gy cm2, providing a fast photoresponse. In forward operation, a slower detection dynamics but improved sensitivity (up to 450 ± 150 nC/Gy) due to conductive gain is observed. High-Z NP doping increases the X-ray absorption, but higher NP loadings lead to a strong reduction of charge-carrier injection and transport due to a strong impact on the semiconductor morphology. Finally, the time response of optimized detectors showed a cut-off frequency up to 200 Hz. Taking advantage of such a fast dynamic response, we demonstrate an X-ray based velocity tracking system.

FPGA-based GEM detector signal acquisition for SXR spectroscopy system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wojenski, A.; Pozniak, K. T.; Kasprowicz, G.; Kolasinski, P.; Krawczyk, R.; Zabolotny, W.; Chernyshova, M.; Czarski, T.; Malinowski, K.

2016-11-01

The presented work is related to the Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) detector soft X-ray spectroscopy system for tokamak applications. The used GEM detector has one-dimensional, 128 channel readout structure. The channels are connected to the radiation-hard electronics with configurable analog stage and fast ADCs, supporting speeds of 125 MSPS for each channel. The digitalized data is sent directly to the FPGAs using fast serial links. The preprocessing algorithms are implemented in the FPGAs, with the data buffering made in the on-board 2Gb DDR3 memory chips. After the algorithmic stage, the data is sent to the Intel Xeon-based PC for further postprocessing using PCI-Express link Gen 2. For connection of multiple FPGAs, PCI-Express switch 8-to-1 was designed. The whole system can support up to 2048 analog channels. The scope of the work is an FPGA-based implementation of the recorder of the raw signal from GEM detector. Since the system will work in a very challenging environment (neutron radiation, intense electro-magnetic fields), the registered signals from the GEM detector can be corrupted. In the case of the very intense hot plasma radiation (e.g. laser generated plasma), the registered signals can overlap. Therefore, it is valuable to register the raw signals from the GEM detector with high number of events during soft X-ray radiation. The signal analysis will have the direct impact on the implementation of photon energy computation algorithms. As the result, the system will produce energy spectra and topological distribution of soft X-ray radiation. The advanced software was developed in order to perform complex system startup and monitoring of hardware units. Using the array of two one-dimensional GEM detectors it will be possible to perform tomographic reconstruction of plasma impurities radiation in the SXR region.

Representing Misalignments of the STAR Geometry Model using AgML

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webb, Jason C.; Lauret, Jérôme; Perevotchikov, Victor; Smirnov, Dmitri; Van Buren, Gene

2017-10-01

The STAR Heavy Flavor Tracker (HFT) was designed to provide high-precision tracking for the identification of charmed hadron decays in heavy-ion collisions at RHIC. It consists of three independently mounted subsystems, providing four precision measurements along the track trajectory, with the goal of pointing decay daughters back to vertices displaced by less than 100 microns from the primary event vertex. The ultimate efficiency and resolution of the physics analysis will be driven by the quality of the simulation and reconstruction of events in heavy-ion collisions. In particular, it is important that the geometry model properly accounts for the relative misalignments of the HFT subsystems, along with the alignment of the HFT relative to STARs primary tracking detector, the Time Projection Chamber (TPC). The Abstract Geometry Modeling Language (AgML) provides a single description of the STAR geometry, generating both our simulation (GEANT 3) and reconstruction geometries (ROOT). AgML implements an ideal detector model, while misalignments are stored separately in database tables. These have historically been applied at the hit level. Simulated detector hits are projected from their ideal position along the track’s trajectory, until they intersect the misaligned detector volume, where the struck detector element is calculated for hit digitization. This scheme has worked well as hit errors have been negligible compared with the size of sensitive volumes. The precision and complexity of the HFT detector require us to apply misalignments to the detector volumes themselves. In this paper we summarize the extension of the AgML language and support libraries to enable the static misalignment of our reconstruction and simulation geometries, discussing the design goals, limitations and path to full misalignment support in ROOT/VMC-based simulation.