Monte-Carlo simulation of a compact gamma-ray detector using wavelength-shifting fibers coupled to a YAP scintillation crystal

The production and transportation of fluorescent light produced in wavelength-shifting fibers (WSFs) coupled to YAP scintillation crystal is simulated using the GEANT4 codes.An advantage of the wavelength-shifting fiber readout technique over a direct readout with a position-sensitive photo-sensor is the reduced requirement for position sensitive photomultiplier tube photocathode area.With this gamma-ray detector,the gamma camera is small and flexible and has larger effective field of view and low cost.Simulation results show that a) a mean 12 of photons per 59.5 keV gamma ray interaction is produced in the WSF located nearest to the incident gamma ray,and a spatial resolution of 3.6 mm FWHM is obtained,b)a mean 27 of photons per 140 keV gamma ray interaction is produced and a spatial resolution of 3.1 mm FWHM is obtained.Results demonstrate the feasibility of this concept of a compact gamma-ray detector based on wavelength-shifting fibers readout.However,since the very low photoelectron levels,it is very important to use a photon counting device with good single photo-electron response to readout the WSFs.     

采用光纤和YAP晶体的小型γ相机的蒙特卡罗模拟

基于波长位移光纤(WSF)耦合YAP晶体中的光子传输特性,用GEANT4软件包建立了一个蒙特卡罗模拟程序.对采用波长位移光纤耦合平板式YAP晶体的小型单管γ相机的性能进行了计算机模拟.采用波长位移光纤耦合光电倍增管光阴极面的读出方式,和晶体直接耦合光电倍增管光阴极面相比,在相同的晶体面积大小条件下,PSPMT光阴极面积可大大缩小,使费用降低.模拟结果表明：γ射线与晶体发生作用的地方所对应的光纤输出的平均光子数最少为15个,位置灵敏光电倍增管完全可以探测到.说明采用闪烁晶体－WSF－位置灵敏光电倍增管的读出方式是可行的;在用硅油耦合波长位移光纤和YAP晶体的情况下,获得的空间分辨率为1.28 mm(FWHM).模拟结果也说明了增加平均光子数对提高空间分辨率的重要性.     

NSECT的锗酸铋阵列相邻信号叠加算法模拟研究

由于受激元素所辐射的光子能量范围主要集中在100 keV~6 MeV之间,因此通过基于此能量范围的射线源模拟实验研究了采用锗酸铋（BGO）阵列相邻信号叠加实现能量高分辨率的新方法并分析比较了其性能。结果显示:对于较高能的光子,若仅使用单根BGO晶体产生的信号时不可能得到较好的能量分辨率;而当使用BGO阵列将该单晶体产生的信号与相邻晶体产生信号相加,则能谱质量会变得更佳。对于能量分辨率为90 keV的能量窗,通过模拟得到平均固有空间分辨率为3.938 mm (FWHM)。     

利用ICCD定位宇宙线来测量探测器时间分辨的方法研究

本研究采用双层150 mm×150 mm闪烁条阵列定位宇宙线的入射和出射位置. 阵列信号光使用波移光纤吸收传输,在ICCD相机前插入前置像增强器,使信号光延迟大于200 ns, 使ICCD可以由外部高速触发信号控制,有效记录随机触发事例.该宇宙线定位系统可以同时多点密集测量 通用探测器测试平台的时间分辨和闪烁光的渡越时间.该新方法与传统时间分辨测量方法相比提高了30倍以上 的效率.实验结果显示:时间探测器的时间分辨好于200 ps,满足通用探测器测试平台的设计要求.     

A TOF-PET prototype with position sensitive PMT readout

A prototype of time-of-flight positron emission computed tomography(TOF-PET)has been developed for acquiring the coincident detection of 511 keV γ-rays produced from positron annihilation.It consists of two 80.5 mm×80.5 mm LYSO scintillator arrays(composed of 35 ×35 pixel finger crystals)with the position sensitive photomultiplier tubes R2487 as the readout.Each array is composed of 2 mm ×2 mm× 15 mm finger crystals and the average pixel pitch is 2.30 mm.The measured results indicate that the TOF information has the potential to significantly enhance the image quality by improving the noise variance in the image reconstruction.The best spatial resolution(FWHM)of the prototype for the pairs of 511 keV γ-rays is 1.98 mm and 2.16 mm in the x and y directions,respectively,which are smaller than the average pixel pitch of 2.30 mm.     

Study of a multi-wire proportional chamber with a cathode strip and delay-line readout

The design principle for a multi-wire proportional chamber with a cathode strip and delay-line readout is described. A prototype chamber of a size of 10 cm ～ l0 cm was made together with the readout electronics circuit. A very clean signal with very low background noise was obtained by applying a transformer between the delay-line and the pre-amplifier in order to match the resistance. Along the anode wire direction a position resolution of less than 0.5 mm was achieved with a 55Fe-5.9 keV X ray source. The simple structure, large effective area and high position resolution allow the application of a gas chamber of this kind to many purposes.     

基于阻性阳极读出方法的气体电子倍增器二维成像性能

新型微结构气体探测器,如气体电子倍增器(gas electron multiplier,GEM)等,具有非常好的位置分辨率潜力(σ100μm),但是需要匹配大规模高密度的读出电子学,给探测器的建设、造价、功耗、空间利用等带来极大压力.阻性阳极读出方法可以在保持较高位置分辨率的前提下,大幅节省电子学.基于厚膜电阻工艺,一种新的阻性单元阵列结构被成功开发和应用于三级级联GEM探测器的读出阳极.该阻性阳极包括6×6个6 mm×6 mm的基本阻性单元,仅需匹配49路读出电子学.~(55)Fe放射源(5.9 keV)和X光机(8 keV)实验的结果显示探测器的位置分辨率(σ)可好于80μm,位置非线性好于1.5%.同时,探测器还获得了很好的实物成像效果.探测器的优良性能表明这种阻性阳极读出方法适用于大面积二维成像气体探测器的读出,并可用于其他探测器的读出.     

Novel high‐resolution silicon drift detectors

Silicon drift detectors (SDDs) are used as energy‐dispersive detectors for x‐ray fluorescence analysis in commercial systems. Because of the low capacitance of the readout anode, achieved by the device topology and by the integration of the first FET on the chip, noise contributions are very small, allowing good energy resolution at low shaping times and high count rates. Typical energy resolution is better than 147 eV FWHM at 5.9 keV (Mn Kα), at ?10°C. This allows the chips to be cooled with a thermoelectric element, avoiding the use of liquid nitrogen. SDD chips are produced at MPI‐Halbleiterlabor in Munich with different geometries and areas. Recently, a new SDD has been developed which places the anode and the integrated JFET at the margin of the chip where it can easily be shielded from direct irradiation with the use of a collimator. The new layout allows the design of a readout anode with smaller area and therefore reduces the capacitance to values of about 120 fF compared with 200–250 fF with standard SDDs. The result is an improvement in energy resolution down to 128 eV at ?15°C. A second effect is the enhancement of the peak‐to‐background values to 6000 homogeneously across the active area of the detector. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and performance of a 2-D multi-wire position sensitive X-ray detector

A 2-D multi-wire position sensitive detector for X-ray diffraction and small angle X-ray scattering studies is described. The detector has an active area of 100 mm × 100 mm and consists of an anode plane with 10 μm SS wires at 3 mm spacing and a pair of orthogonal cathode readout planes with 25 μm SS wires placed at 1.5 mm spacing. The position information is obtained using charge division method and recorded using a laboratory built data acquisition system. The resolution and gas gain was measured for 5.9 keV X-rays (⁵⁵Fe-source) as a function of the anode wire voltage and gas pressure. It was observed that the proportional region of the PSD at 100 kPa pressure extended up to a high voltage value of around 1.5 kV and it shifted to high values up to 2 kV for gas pressure of 300 kPa. The energy resolution improved from 18% (FWHM) to 12% with increase in pressure. The spatial resolution of the PSD also showed improvement, with a value of 1.2 mm × 1.4 mm at 300 kPa gas pressure. A maximum gain of 5 × 10⁴ is obtained.     

Energy splitting of the ground-state doublet in the nucleus 229Th

The energy splitting of the 229Th ground-state doublet is measured to be 7.6+/-0.5 eV, significantly greater than earlier measurements. Gamma rays produced following the alpha decay of 233U (105 muCi) were counted in the NASA/electron beam ion trap x-ray microcalorimeter spectrometer with an experimental energy resolution of 26 eV (FWHM). A difference technique was applied to the gamma-ray decay of the 71.82 keV level that populates both members of the doublet. A positive correction amounting to 0.6 eV was made for the unobserved interband decay of the 29.19 keV state (29.19-->0 keV).     

Internal conversion of the 6.2 keV transition in181Ta

The total conversion coefficient of the 6.2 keV Mössbauer transition in¹⁸¹Ta was measured by X- and gamma-ray spectroscopy. The result of 86 ± 20 disagrees with the literature value of 46, but agrees with theory if a nuclear penetration parameter deduced from relative conversion electron intensities is taken into account. The weak 6.2 keV gamma ray has intensity per decay that is less than the previous value by a factor of 8.5.     

Internal conversion of the 6.2 keV transition in181Ta

The total conversion coefficient of the 6.2 keV Mössbauer transition in¹⁸¹Ta was measured by X- and gamma-ray spectroscopy. The result of 86 ± 20 disagrees with the literature value of 46, but agrees with theory if a nuclear penetration parameter deduced from relative conversion electron intensities is taken into account. The weak 6.2 keV gamma ray has intensity per decay that is less than the previous value by a factor of 8.5.     

Implementation of the direct demodulation method for natural gamma ray spectral logging

Spectrum analysis of natural gamma ray spectral logging (SGR) data is a critical part of surface information processing systems. Due to the low resolution, which is an inherent weakness of SGR, and the low signal-to-noise ratio problem of logging measurements, SGR is usually treated with a low confidence level. The Direct Demodulation (DD) method is an advanced technique to solve modulation equations interactively under physical constraints. It has higher sensitivity and spatial resolution than the traditional methods and can effectively suppress the logging noise. Based on standard count rate spectral data obtained from the China Offshore Oil Logging Company SGR Calibration Facility, this paper presents the application of the DD method to gamma-ray logging. The results are compared with four traditional algorithmic methods, showing that the DD method is a credible choice, with higher sensitivity and higher spatial resolution in gamma-ray log interpretation. The Point-Spread-Function of the Shengli Oil Logging Company's natural gamma ray spectroscopy instrument is obtained for the first time. The quantities of various radionuclides in their calibration pits are also obtained. The DD method was applied successfully to gamma-ray logging, offering a new option for SGR logging algorithm selection.     

Implementation of ultrafast X‐ray diffraction at the 1W2B wiggler beamline of Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility

The implementation of a laser pump/X‐ray probe scheme for performing picosecond‐resolution X‐ray diffraction at the 1W2B wiggler beamline at Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility is reported. With the hybrid fill pattern in top‐up mode, a pixel array X‐ray detector was optimized to gate out the signal from the singlet bunch with interval 85 ns from the bunch train. The singlet pulse intensity is ～2.5 × 10⁶ photons pulse^?1 at 10 keV. The laser pulse is synchronized to this singlet bunch at a 1 kHz repetition rate. A polycapillary X‐ray lens was used for secondary focusing to obtain a 72 µm (FWHM) X‐ray spot. Transient photo‐induced strain in BiFeO₃ film was observed at a ～150 ps time resolution for demonstration.     

Design and experimental study of a two-dimensional position sensitive X-ray detector

A prototype of a two-dimensional position sensitive X-ray detector was designed and constructed for small angle X-ray scattering experiments at BSFR (Beijing Synchrotron Radiation Facility). The detector is based on MWPC with cathode strip readout, and has a sensitive area of 200 mmx200 mm. The spatial resolution (FWHM) of about 210 μm along the anode wire direction was obtained from the 55Fe X-ray test of the detector.     

Design and performances of electromagnetic particle detector for LHAASO-KM2A

In the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) project, the one kilometer square extensive air shower array (KM2A) is the the largest detector array in terms of effective area. It consists of 5635 electromagnetic particle detectors (EDs) and 1221 muon detectors (MDs). Each ED is composed of 16 scintillator tiles readout by wavelength-shifting fibers that are bundled and attached by a 25 mm PMT. The design of the unit and its performances, such as photoelectron yield, time resolution and uniformity, are discussed in detail. An assembling scheme for the whole ED is established to guarantee the uniformity throughout all 16 tiles in a single ED and all EDs in mass production.     

Focusing synchrotron radiation using a polycapillary half‐focusing X‐ray lens for imaging

An imaging system based on a polycapillary half‐focusing X‐ray lens (PHFXRL) and synchrotron radiation source has been designed. The focal spot size and the gain in power density of the PHFXRL were 22 µm (FWHM) and 4648, respectively, at 14.0 keV. The spatial resolution of this new imaging system was better than 5 µm when an X‐ray charge coupled device with a pixel size of 10.9 × 10.9 µm was used. A fossil of an ancient biological specimen was imaged using this system.     

碘化汞材料固有空间分辨的蒙特卡罗模拟研究

采用蒙特卡罗方法模拟了直接转换X射线探测材料HgI2在医用X射线范围的固有空间分辨性能,模拟基于最新版本的EGSnrc模拟软件的用户代码DOSRZnrc,模拟了HgI2材料对无限小锥束入射X射线的调制传递函数(MTF)。考虑到荧光光子和散射光子重吸收,高速电子射程扩展以及离轴X射线入射对空间分辨力的影响,把模拟结果和文献解析方法获得的结果做了对比,两者符合较好。模拟结果表明,初级高速电子射程和入射角度对材料固有空间分辨力影响很大,材料分辨对入射X光子能量很敏感,高能时分辨力特性急剧变差,而对材料厚度很不敏感。相对于非晶硒(α-Se),HgI2材料具有更好的固有空间分辨力,尤其在50 keV能量以上时。在fMTF=0.5时,能量为20 keV,50 keV和100 keV的X射线入射,HgI2和非晶Se固有空间分辨力分别为390 lp/mm,170lp/mm,52 lp/mm和390 lp/mm,80 lp/mm,22 lp/mm。     

PET用新型深度编码探测器设计

平行性问题或作用深度问题影响着正电子放射层析系统(PET)的成象分辨率。本文提出和评价了一种二阶深度编码探测器,这个探测器是由两层LSO晶体和位置灵敏型光电倍增管(PS-PMT)组成,上层的晶体相对于下层的晶体的位置在X和Y方向上都有半个晶体阵列单元的错位,因为每个晶体的输出光的重心位置分布在PS-PMT上不同的位置,所以通过计算其重心位置就可在象平面上区别开每个晶体。根据PET系统的应用要求,我们验证了探测器的性能。伽马射线垂直入射时,上层晶体阵列的固有空间分辨率为1.15mmFWHM,下层晶体列阵为1.34mm FWHM.钠伽马辐射源的511keV能量峰处的平均能量分辨率对于下层晶体为19.7%,上层为23.6%.通过类似的技术亦可实现3阶、4阶深度编码探测器。     

Comparison of Lu3Al5O12:Pr and Bi4Ge3O12 scintillators for gamma-ray detection

The scintillation properties of Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Pr³⁺ (LuAG:Pr) single crystal grown by the Czochralski method with praseodymium concentration of 0.19 mol% were investigated. For a comparison, a good quality Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO) single crystal grown by Bridgman method was also studied. The light yield and energy resolution were measured using photomultiplier tube (XP5200B PMT) readout. Moderate light yield of 15,900 photons per MeV was measured for the LuAG:Pr(0.19%) crystal. For 662 keV gamma rays (¹³⁷Cs source), an energy resolution of 6.5% obtained for LuAG:Pr(0.19%) is much better than that of 9.0% obtained for BGO. The light yield non-proportionality and energy resolution versus energy of gamma rays were measured and the intrinsic resolution of the crystals was determined after correcting the measured energy resolution for PMT statistics. The LuAG:Pr(0.19%) showed a good proportionality of the light yield within 5% over the energy range from 1274.5 keV down to 32 keV, which is much better than that of 14% for BGO. The photofraction was determined at 320 and 662 keV for both crystals and compared with the ratio of the cross-sections for the photoelectric effect to the total one calculated using WinXCOM program.