Determination of the time resolution for neutron scintillation detectors by multi-coincidence measurement

Based on the multi-coincidence measurement, the time resolution of three liquid scintillation detectors (BC501A) were determined strictly by solving the coincidence equations, where the influence from electronics estimated by self coincidence measurement as well as the background had been considered. The result of this work agreed well with the result that was deduced from the traditional method, and it will be helpful to analyze the energy resolution of neutron time of flight spectra measured by using such detectors at CIAE (China Institute of Atomic Energy).     

低偶然符合效应的高脉冲分辨能力数字化X荧光能谱仪研制

在X荧光能谱测量中,当两个事例发生间隔较短时,存在脉冲前沿或后沿堆积的情况。如果能谱仪的脉冲分辨能力不足,在事例发生间隔小于能谱仪脉冲分辨能力时,发生了偶然符合效应。当堆积发生在信号的上升沿时,后端电子学无法识别堆积脉冲,并将堆积脉冲当成1个脉冲,从而在测量能谱中会产生虚假能峰;当堆积出现在下降沿时,堆积信号间隔小于通道成形时间时,堆积信号会被丢弃,导致所测量谱线的有效计数减小,对精确放射性测量带来了不利影响。从提高能谱仪模拟电路信噪比、降低误触发、缩短快成形通道成形时间、提高能谱仪的脉冲分辨能力,从而减小符合效应等角度入手,研制了一种低偶然符合效应的快慢双成形通道的数字化能谱仪。该能谱仪设计了具有高脉冲分辨能力的快通道,采用对称零面积梯形成形算法,有效消除快通道时间变窄带来的不足,结合对梯形平顶的判断,实现对低频噪声抑制与降低误触发概率;同时设计高信噪比、低噪声的模拟电路以减小快通道对噪声误触发的概率,降低偶然符合概率。文中先利用仿真验证了提升快通道时间可以提升脉冲分辨能力, 接着利用MOXTEK的X光管激发被测样品Cu获得特征X射线,由KETEK的高分辨率SDD探测器检测信号,通过调节X光管的管流得到计数率范围为13～103 kcps的X荧光能谱,从而得到偶然符合概率与计数率的关系,并且通过改变快通道成形时间分析其对偶然符合的影响。实验表明,更低的快通道成形时间拥有更高的脉冲分辨率能力,更低的偶然符合效应;在103 kcps计数率下,150 ns快通道成形时间条件下,Cu的Kα峰、Kβ及Kα+Kβ的偶然符合概率分别为1.568%,0.265%和0.403%;设计的对比实验结果表明：在相同快通道成形时间条件下,所研制的数字化能谱仪相比于Amptek的DP-5型号数字化能谱仪偶然符合概率低了60%。     

Super-High Resolution Time Interval Measurement Method Based on Time-Space Relationships

Based on the principle of quantized delay-time, a super-high resolution time interval measurement method is proposed based on time-space relationships. Using the delay-time stability that time and frequency signal travel in a specific medium, the measured time interval can be quantized. Combined with the phase coincidence detection technique, the measurement of time can be changed into the measurement of space length. The resolution and the stability of the measurement system are easily improved. Experimental results show that the measurement resolution of the measured time interval depends on the length difference of the double delay-time unit. When the length difference is set up on millimeter level or sub-millimeter level, super-high measurement resolution from hundreds of picosecond to tens of picosecond can be obtained.     

主动中子多重性铀质量测量模拟研究

中子多重性技术常用于测量和核查核材料,尤其针对具有较厚屏蔽的对象具有不可替代的优势。钚的自发裂变率较高,可以采用被动测量方法,目前已有多款不同的测量装置。然而铀材料的自发裂变率较低只能采用主动测量方法。现有的主动井型符合计数器（AWCC）能够进行主动中子多重性测量铀材料质量,但依然存在探测效率较低,Am-Li中子源产生偶然符合大等缺点。为提高铀材料测量的效率和精度,对主动中子多重性测量方法开展深入研究非常必要。本文参考AWCC模型,利用Geant4软件对探测器和粒子的输运过程进行建模。研究了多重性移位寄存器的不同符合门宽、不同延迟时间对铀测量结果相对偏差的影响规律。计数器的最佳门宽为44 μs,门宽取值范围在计数器衰减时间的1.5倍左右合适;延迟时间大于3倍计数器衰减时间后,相对偏差显著减少。最后讨论了235U富集度变化对主动中子多重性测量结果的影响。为后续主动中子多重性铀质量测量仪器的设计提供了参考。     

A method to enhance coincidence time resolution with applications for medical imaging systems (TOF/PET)

A coincidence timing spectrometer was assembled using NaI(Tl) inorganic and BC418 type organic (plastic) scintillation detectors. The constant fraction timing method was used. Coincidence time resolution values of the detectors, which have great importance in TOF/PET measurements, were obtained separately. The resolutions were enhanced using a different method in a start-stop coincidence spectrometer: the signals from the start detectors were delayed. The results from the FLUKA Monte Carlo simulation code agreed well with the experimental results.     

分辨率对大气中痕量污染气体的DOAS测量性能影响研究

在差分吸收光谱(DOAS)测量过程中,光谱分辨率的选择直接决定了污染气体浓度的测量准确度.主要研究了光谱分辨率对污染气体被榆测到的特征吸收结构形状的影响,以及差分吸收截面随分辨率的变化趋势,从而确定了光谱分辨率对污染气体最低可检测浓度的影响,通过研究分辨率与光强的关系,确定了分辨率与信噪比(S/N)的函数关系式,得出了DOAS测量NO2,O3,和SO2的最佳信噪比范围,对多种污染物标准气体进行了同时监测,计算出标准气体在不同光谱分辨率下的测量误差,确定了对NO2,O3和SO2监测的最适用的分辨率范围.在此分辨率范围既能够实现对痕量气体的准确定性定量测量,又能达到测量所需要的高灵敏度,强选择性和适用的时间分辨率.通过在北京丰台区的实际监测得到了与点式仪器测量结果很好的一致性.     

Time-resolved single-photon detection by femtosecond upconversion

We demonstrate a time-resolved single-photon detection technique based on ultrafast sum-frequency generation, providing femtosecond measurement capability for single photons in photonic quantum information processing. Noncollinear broadband upconversion in periodically poled MgO-doped stoichiometric lithium tantalate with an ultrafast pump and detection with a Si single-photon counter enable efficient detection of IR photons and temporal resolution of ~150 fs. We utilize the timing resolution to map the generation efficiency profile along the propagation axis of a periodically poled KTiOPO(4) crystal, revealing its local grating quality with millimeter resolution. We also apply the technique to two-photon coincidence measurements and directly demonstrate time anticorrelation between coincident-frequency entangled photons that are parametrically generated under extended phase-matching conditions.     

门控下InGaAs/InP单光子探测器用于符合测量的时域滤波特性研究

基于砷化镓/磷化铟雪崩光电二极管(InGaAs/InP APD)的半导体单光子探测器因工作在通信波段,且具有体积小、成本低、操作方便等优势,在实用化量子通信技术中发挥了重要作用.为尽可能避免暗计数和后脉冲对单光子探测的影响,InGaAs/InP单光子探测器广泛采用门控技术来快速触发和淬灭雪崩效应,有效门宽通常在纳秒量级.本文研究揭示了门控下单光子探测器可测量的最大符合时间宽度受限于门控脉冲的宽度,理论分析与实验结果良好拟合.该研究表明,门控下InGaAs/InP单光子探测器用于双光子符合测量具有显著的时域滤波特性,限制了其在基于双光子时间关联测量的量子信息技术中的应用.     

Analysis of the Factors that Influence the Time Resolution of TOF in BESⅢ Detector

In TOF measurement, the factors that can increase the time resolution include noise, amplitude measurement error, and the difference of pulse amplitudes and shapes. This article discusses how these factors affect time resolution, and performs quantitative analysis based on the GEANT4 simulation result of the BESⅢ's TOF detector. The result shows that the discriminator level must be selected carefully. To get better time resolution, pulse waveform digitizing is necessary.     

~(252)Cf自发裂变中子发射率符合测量的回归分析

~(252)Cf同位素源具有标准的自发裂变中子能谱,但由于其半衰期较短,应用中常需要对源强进行标定修正.随着源年龄增加,来自源中~(250)Cf和~(248)Cm自发裂变的影响愈加凸显,不能简单按~(252)Cf的衰变规律计算源中子发射率,而通过锰浴活化的间接测量方法周期较长,且在源强低于10~4 n/s时误差较大.最近,基于中子多重性计数的源强绝对测量算法已得到验证.本文进一步从点模型假设的测量方程出发,在将符合计数率与总中子计数率关联的基础上,分别对符合计数率随源位置、符合门宽的变化关系进行回归分析,提取变化过程的特征系数,建立了两种避规效率变化的~(252)Cf中子发射率测量方法,并基于JCC-51型中子符合测量装置开展实验验证.结果表明:两种回归分析方法的测量值均与标称值的修正结果在2%的偏差范围内一致;反推求得装置中轴线上的探测效率也与基于MCNPX程序的蒙特卡罗模拟计算值相符.研究结果可为活度信息不明的~(252)Cf源强标定及符合测量装置的效率刻度提供便携准确的实验方法.     

An X-ray imaging detector based on pixel structured scintillator

An X-ray imaging detector consisting of a silicon charge coupled device (CCD) and pixel structured scintillator was developed to improve spatial resolution. The pixelated structure reduces spreading of scintillation light through the scintillator by providing air gap between scintillator pixels, and increased spatial resolution by reducing the cross-talk between CCD pixels. The modulation transfer functions (MTF) of the non-pixelated and pixilated scintillator detector were compared. The improvement in spatial resolution was evaluated by both computational simulation and experimental measurement of MTF; both results showed coincidence.     

A beam divergence correction mirror for neutron resonance spin echo

Neutron resonance spin echo (NRSE) enables us to measure neutron quasi-elastic scattering with high energy resolution. Its energy resolution is limited by a path length variation due to the beam divergence. Neutron focusing technique using a neutron supermirror can be used to overcome this problem. To investigate the effect of a cylindrical mirror on the path length variation due to the beam divergence, MIEZE (modulation of intensity by zero effort) spin echo measurement was performed. The result demonstrated that the cylindrical mirror effectively corrects the path length variation and leads to high energy resolution as well as high intensity in NRSE and MIEZE measurement.     

纠缠光子法绝对定标光电探测器量子效率的研究

为了应对国际上“坎德拉”新定义的动向,开展了利用纠缠光子法测量光电探测器量子效率的研究,并建立了测量装置。装置采用351.1 nm连续激光抽运BBO晶体产生纠缠光子场,然后通过双通道门控计数器组成的符合测量系统在702.2 nm和788.7 nm两个波长点对光电倍增管的量子效率进行了测量。同时对单光子脉冲信号获取、噪声抑制及提取、符合时间特性、偶然符合、暗背景计数和器件透过率等影响测量结果的关键因素进行了实验分析并给出了修正分量,最终在两个波长点量子效率测量不确定度小于0.7%。     

Single-shot measurement of THz pulses

Terahertz(THz) waves have shown a broad prospect in the analysis of some dielectric materials because of their special properties. For the ultrafast irreversible processes, the THz single-shot measurement is a good choice. In this paper,a single-shot system is investigated, where a pump beam is used to generate THz pulses with high electrical field by optical rectification in LiNbO_3, the probe beam with wavefront tilted by a blazed grating is used for single-shot measurement. The time window is up to 90 ps, the signal to noise ratio is 2000 : 1, the spectrum covers from 0.1 THz to about 2.0 THz, and the spectral resolution is 0.011 THz. The single-shot measurement result agrees well with that of a traditional electrical-optic sampling method.     

Non-contact sound speed measurement by optical probing of beam deflection due to sound wave

We report a non-contact and non-invasive method of sound speed measurement by optical probing of deflected laser beam due to normally incident degenerated shock wave. In this study the shock wave from an exploding wire was degenerated to an ordinary sound wave at the distance exceeding 0.23 m. Temporal resolution of the deflected beam signal was improved by passing through an adequate electronic high-pass filter, as a result we obtained a better temporal resolution than that of the acoustic pressure detection by PZT transducer in terms of rising time. The spatial resolution was improved by passing the refracted beam signal into the edge of focusing lens to make a larger deflection angle. Sound speed was calculated by monitoring the time of flight of transient deflected signal at the predetermined position. Sound speed has been measured in air, distilled water and acryl, agreed well with the published values. The sound speed measured in the solution of glycerin, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), and dimethylformamide with various mole fractions also agrees within 3% of relative error with those measured in the present work by ultrasonic pulse echo method. The results suggest that the method proposed is to be reliable and reproducible.     

Observing quantum correlation of photons in Laguerre-Gauss modes using the Gouy phase

The effect of the Gouy phase, which is one of the geometrical phases of photons, is observed through quantum correlation in Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) modes. In an experiment, the relative phase of two different LG modes of measurement basis states is manipulated via the Gouy phase, and the observed coincidence count rates agree well with theoretical predictions. This result suggests that the Gouy phase can be used as a new tool to manipulate multidimensional photonic quantum states.     

Coherence of radiation as studied by multiple coincidences of photons and particles

Coincidences of photons and particles are measured by counting the number of events occurring simultaneously in two or more detectors. Coherent and incoherent radiation may have different behavior when the number of coincidence counts is studied with different arrangements of the coincidence detectors: the coincidence rate for the coherent radiation field, such as that obtained from a single-mode laser, is independent on the transverse separation between the detectors as long as the intensity of the radiation stays constant. On the other hand, with incoherent thermal radiation, using suitable monochromatization, the coincidence rate can show a significant bunching effect at detector separations smaller than the transverse coherence length. As a third alternative, photon antibunching may be observed if the radiation field is prepared in a number state, such as that available from resonance fluorescence of atoms, ions or molecules. If the time resolution of the detectors is not sufficient to resolve separate counts, corresponding effects can be observed in experiments, where the analog outputs of the detectors are multiplied to produce an intensity correlation signal. Intensity correlation and coincidence studies of photons and particles are reviewed in this report starting from the early experiments in the 1950’s and including recent work on X-ray coincidences and three-pion correlations. New results are presented for three- and four-photon coincidences at the X-ray wavelengths.     

TOT measurement implemented in FPGA TDC

Time measurement plays a crucial role for the purpose of particle identification in high energy physics experiments. With increasingly demanding physics goals and the development of electronics, modern time measurement systems need to meet the requirement of excellent resolution specification as well as high integrity. Based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), FPGA time-to-digital converters(TDCs) have become one of the most mature and prominent time measurement methods in recent years. For correcting the time-walk effect caused by leading timing, a time-over-threshold(TOT) measurement should be added to the FPGA TDC. TOT can be obtained by measuring the interval between the signal leading and trailing edges. Unfortunately, a traditional TDC can recognize only one kind of signal edge, the leading or the trailing. Generally, to measure the interval, two TDC channels need to be used at the same time, one for leading, the other for trailing. However, this method unavoidably increases the amount of FPGA resources used and reduces the TDC's integrity.This paper presents one method of TOT measurement implemented in a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA. In this method,TOT measurement can be achieved using only one TDC input channel. The consumed resources and time resolution can both be guaranteed. Testing shows that this TDC can achieve resolution better than 15 ps for leading edge measurement and 37 ps for TOT measurement. Furthermore, the TDC measurement dead time is about two clock cycles, which makes it good for applications with higher physics event rates.     

超声阵列的多频脉冲压缩方法研究

脉冲压缩方法通过采用编码信号激励与脉冲压缩接收来提高超声检测的时间分辨率和信噪比。然而,受换能器带宽的限制,编码信号的时间带宽积往往有限,影响脉冲压缩效果。开展了基于超声阵列的多频脉冲压缩方法研究,超声阵列是由具有不同中心频率和带宽的多个阵元组成,从而使得整个阵列具有比单个换能器更宽的带宽。提出了压缩后叠加取包络的脉冲压缩方法,并研究了这种方法在提高时间分辨率和主副瓣比上的技术方案,对多频脉冲压缩的超声阵列进行了设计与优化,发现多频脉冲压缩方法能很大程度地提高时间分辨率,并能有效地抑制各阵元信号叠加产生的周期副瓣。理论和实验结果表明,这种压缩后叠加取包络的方法得到的时间分辨率在性能上受阵元带内不平整度的影响很小,能使阵元压缩包络中的主副瓣比得到明显改善。      

Beiträge zu den Niveauschemata der Ge-Isotope71Ge,73Ge,74Ge und75Ge aus der Untersuchung von (n, γ)-Reaktionen in natürlichem Germanium

Low energy γ-spectra from neutron capture in natural germanium have been studied with several high resolution Ge(Li)-detectors. Measurements have been made with two different target configurations. In the first measurement a normal Ge-target was irradiated with neutrons; no neutrons were allowed to enter the Ge(Li)-detector. In the second measurement the Ge(Li)-detector was used simultaneously as target and as γ- ande ^?-detector. By combination of the results convertion coefficients of several transitions in⁷³Ge have been determined. Several unknown low energy transitions in Ge isotopes have been found with the aid of the second method. The level schemes of⁷¹Ge,⁷³Ge,⁷⁴Ge and⁷⁵Ge have been revised by means of coincidence measurements with a Ge(Li)-Ge(Li)-coincidence system of high efficiency and resolution.