A compact positron annihilation lifetime spectrometer

Using LYSO scintillator coupled on HAMAMATSU R9800(a fast photomultiplier)to form the small size γ-ray detectors,a compact lifetime spectrometer has been built for the positron annihilation experiments.The system time resolution FWHM=193 ps and the coincidence counting rate -8 cps/μCi were achieved.A lifetime value of 219±1 ps of positron annihilation in well annealed Si was tested,which is in agreement with the typical values published in the previous lectures.     

溴化镧闪烁体探测器性能及应用研究

LaBr3(Ce)探测器是一种新型闪烁体探测器,具有高光产额,高探测效率,高时间和空间分辨率,高能量分辨率,温度特性良好,抗辐射性能良好,操作简便等优点.从2001年以来,该探测器得到了迅速的研究和应用.LaBr3(Ce)探测器在核共振荧光检测、瞬发γ中子活化分析、爆炸物检测、核医学成像、环境辐射监测、空间辐射探测等方面的应用研究中取得了非常良好的效果.该探测器表现出优于以往用于这些领域的探测器的性能(例如NaI(Tl)探测器、BGO探测器、HPGe探测器等).介绍了LaBr3(Ce)探测器的性能及其应用研究进展,对代表性文献进行了简析和综述,阐明了其良好的应用前景.     

基于SiPM读出的塑料闪烁体探测器时间性能研究

研究了基于硅光电倍增管(SiPM)双端读出的面积为10 cm ×10 cm的薄塑料闪烁体探测器的时间性能。239Pu放射源测试结果显示:(1)在多支SiPM串连读出方式下,随着SiPM数量的增加,探测器时间分辨逐渐变好;(2)在固定12支SiPM数量不变的情况下,并联支路越多,探测器时间分辨越差;(3)采用快时间塑料闪烁体并增加其厚度,可有效提高探测器时间分辨;(4)采用比束斑尺寸更大的塑料闪烁体,可有效提高探测器时间分辨的位置均匀性;(5)对于1 mm厚的EJ232塑料闪烁体探测器,在单端12支SiPM串行连接的情况下,可获得好于131 ps的时间分辨。这一研究对RIBLL2起始时间探测器的升级改造具有重要的指导意义。     

闪烁体衰减常数对辐射源边界测量影响数值模拟

在辐射成像系统测量辐射源边界中,有闪烁体时间弥散效应得到的边界值与没有闪烁体时的真实边界值存在差别,影响辐射源尺寸变化计算。研究构建了一类辐射源强时间宽度、半径扩散速率与边界相对强度不同的辐射源,应用卷积和图像强度梯度法,对选用BC408,LaBr3和LSO闪烁体得到的边界与真实边界的偏差进行了数值模拟计算。结果表明,拍摄时间为20 ns时,由BC408闪烁体得到的边界值偏差最小;若偏差小于1 mm认为闪烁体适合测量,BC408,LaBr3和LSO测量的强度时间宽度最小值分别为33 ns,133 ns和266 ns; 拍摄全积分图像时偏差大小不受闪烁体不同的影响;最终得出的偏差计算公式较好地反映了真实偏差的变化趋势。     

溴化镧高剂量率线性响应范围的测定北大核心CSCD

研究了溴化镧晶体在高剂量率照射下的线性响应特性,采用李萨如图形法测量得到溴化镧晶体对γ高剂量脉冲的线性响应上限。实验结果表明:溴化镧晶体在能注量率小于2.0×1018 MeV/(cm2·s)时输出仍为线性,当能注量率高于此值时,晶体的响应出现非线性现象。     

基于DRS4测试板的数字波形分析方法（英文）

使用不同的方法来确定La Br3晶体信号的到达时间。在文中信号经过光电倍增管的放大之后由DSR4测试板进行数字采集,其中DRS4是由瑞士PSI研究所生产的高带宽、低功耗以及快读出时间的开关电容阵列。这些优势使得DRS4很具有吸引力,很多实验将传统的ADC与TDC替换为DRS4。采集的波形可以通过不同的方法进行后续处理。其中包括:(1)恒分甄别、(2)波形拟合、(3)PMT脉冲模型法以及(4)均值过滤法。文中实现的恒分甄别的时间分辨与使用模拟电路获取的平均时间分辨相比没有提高。高斯波形拟合法虽然与数字CFD的结果相当,但是却更加耗时。均值滤波法虽然容易实现,但是通过这个方法得到的时间分辨与采样时间在一个量级。而PMT脉冲模型法得到的平均时间分辨为195.4 ps,优于模拟信号的恒分甄别的时间分辨254.7 ps。     

SmFeAsO材料的正电子寿命研究

首次用正电子湮灭寿命谱仪（PALS）测量SmFeAsO多晶样品常温下的寿命谱,得到两个寿命成分1516 ps和2903 ps,根据捕获模型得到正电子在SmFeAsO中湮灭的体寿命为1870 ps,与理论计算（广义梯度近似）得到的SmFeAsO单晶中的正电子体寿命173 ps符合较好.基于中性原子叠加模型-有限差分方法(SNA-FD)的理论计算得到正电子与单晶SmFeAsO中各个原子价电子的总湮灭率是其与各个原子核心内层电子总湮灭率的106倍,正电子与Fe,As,Sm,O原子的电子湮灭的概率之比是1∶13∶12∶1. 关键词： 高温超导 正电子寿命     

掺铈、钆、铽的三磷酸镧的合成及其光谱

本文首次采用溶液沉淀法合成了一系列LaP3O9:Ce、Gd、Tb磷光体.经X射线结构分析表明、它们是较纯的LaP3O9相,系环状结构,属于正交晶系,其晶胞参数为a=11.19(Å),b=8.54(Å),c=7.28(Å).测定了这些化合物的激发和发射光谱、相对亮度及Ce3+的荧光寿命,观察到在此基质中Ce3+与Gd3+光谱重叠,它们之间存在着一定的相互作用,Ce3+能有效地敏化Tb3+,从而大大地增强Tb3+的发射,LaP3O9:Ce、Tb可能成为一种新的高效绿色发光材料.在Ce-Tb共掺的体系中加入少量Gd却使发光亮度稍有下降,这可能是由于Gd3+的竞争吸收和独立发射所致.从Ce3+的荧光寿命变化可知,Ce3+对Gd3+的能量传递较弱,而Ce3+对Tb3+则很有效.     

新型国产LaCl3∶Ce晶体γ/n甄别能力研究

对国内最新研制的高光产额(～50000 photons/MeV)、 快响应(～25 ns)无机晶体LaCl3∶Ce的γ/n甄别能力进行了研究。利用MC模拟程序进行建模计算, 得出LaCl3∶Ce晶体的γ/n为19.56; 利用DPF中子源DD靶进行实验测量, 结果表明该晶体的γ/n高于19。理论计算结果与实验结果相符合。该晶体可以应用于中子、 γ混合辐射场中γ脉冲的测量。In this paper, the γ/n discriminability of LaCl3∶Ce scintillator is studied. This scintillator has high output(50000 photons/MeV) and fast principal decay time constant(～25 ns). γ/n discriminability of LaCl3∶Ce is 19.56 with MCNP calculation and larger than 19 in the experimental measurement with Dense Plasma Focus facility. The calculation is in agreement with the experiment result. This crystal may be applied to measuring the gamma pulse in the neutron and gamma mixed radiation field.     

模块化程控各向异性聚焦条纹相机

通过采用各向异性聚焦及电四极透镜技术,设计出物理弥散达到0.38 ps,边缘空间分辨力达到56 lp/mm的新型条纹变像管。研制出对条纹相机高压输出、环境监测、扫描档位切换和相机工作方式选择的模块化程控系统。利用Nd:YLF（脉冲宽度8 ps、波长263 nm）脉冲激光器对相机的性能指标进行了标定,测得静态和动态空间分辨力分别为35 lp/mm和25 lp/mm,动态范围达到950∶1,时间分辨力达到8 ps,在扫描和狭缝方向可实现独立变倍和KB显微镜耦合,便于对目标的空间分辨力进行灵活配置。     

Detection of hydrogen in neutron-irradiated nickel using positron lifetime spectroscopy

Hydrogen in nano-voids in neutron-irradiated nickel has been detected using positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). As positron lifetime is greatly affected by nano-voids bound with hydrogen, special attention was paid to the analysis. The positron lifetime of neutron-irradiated nickel at higher irradiation doses increased with the dose, which is an indicator for vacancy cluster (nano-void) formation in the lattice. The introduction of hydrogen in well-annealed nickel by electrical charging also resulted in an increase in positron lifetime due to vacancy formation. In neutron-irradiated nickel specimens, hydrogen charging shortened the positron lifetime from 456 to 334 ps (irradiation dose: 3 × 10^?3 dpa). Isochronal annealing behaviour of hydrogen-charged nickel and neutron-irradiated nickel was also studied. Positron trapping rate was calculated using a simple trapping model. Thermal desorption spectroscopy was used for the investigation of hydrogen behaviour in non-irradiated hydrogen-charged nickel.     

Studies of timing properties for a TOF counter at an external target facility

Timing and amplitude properties of a prototype scintillator TOF counter at an external target facility are studied with a cosmic rays test. The dependence of signal pulse height and time resolution on the coordinate along the scintillator TOF counter is investigated with two different discriminators. A time resolution of 165 ps can be achieved at the center of the counter with a constant fraction discriminator. Time resolution better than 150 ps is obtained at the center with a leading edge discriminator after time walk correction is applied for off-line analysis.     

Digital positron lifetime spectroscopy at EPOS

As the digital equipment to measure positron lifetimes gets cheaper and more widely used, it is decided that EPOS, the ELBE positron source will sample the signals from the photomultipliers directly and evaluate it online or offline by digital means.Still using isotope sources, the EPOS lifetime spectrometer results in a timing resolution of around 170 ps (with ⁶⁰Co), which compares good to analog equipment. A distinct improvement is expected when a coincidence setup will be used at ELBE. However, also the software needs further improvement: while one of the goals is of course to achieve the best time resolution, there is also the aspect of runtime and expandability. Results of evaluations will be presented and compared with results from other groups.     

Studies of timing properties for a TOF counter at an external target facility

Timing and amplitude properties of a prototype scintillator TOF counter at an external target facility are studied with a cosmic rays test. The dependence of signal pulse height and time resolution on the coordinate along the scintillator TOF counter is investigated with two different discriminators. A time resolution of 165 ps can be achieved at the center of the counter with a constant fraction discriminator. Time resolution better than 150 ps is obtained at the center with a leading edge discriminator after time wall（ correction is applied for off-line analysis.     

Performance of the Beijing pulsed variable-energy positron beam

In order to study the depth-dependent characteristics of open-volume defects in thin surface layers, the variable-energy positron lifetime spectroscopy (VEPLS) has been enabled by pulsing a continuous positron beam. The buncher is a quarter-wave coaxial resonator and the RF-signal is fed in by a coupling loop with a frequency of 149.89 MHz and the reflection factor of 0.05 measured by a Network Analyzer. Three synchronic signals with their phases and amplitudes adjusted independently are supplied for start signal of the positron lifetime measurement and the power signal by an electronic system. The stop signal is derived from a detector, a BaF₂ scintillator coupled to a photomultiplier-tube (Hamamatsu). The time resolution of 295 ps (FWHM) was achieved for a Kapton film and a Ti sample at positron energies in the range between 1 keV and 30 keV.     

Design of a direction-dependent neutron dosimeter

A theoretical design for a neutron dosimeter has been investigated to determine whether it is capable of estimating effective dose. The design is essentially simple: a 10.16 cm radius sphere of borated scintillator that is interrogated by a tetrahedral arrangement of photomultipliers. A sigmoid artificial neural network was used to analyse MCNP calculations of the neutron capture distribution within the sphere for energies from thermal to 16 MeV, incident from 26 separate directions. Results to date are sufficiently encouraging that a prototype device is now under consideration.     

Imaging performance and light emission efficiency of Lu<Subscript>2</Subscript> SiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>:Ce (LSO:Ce) powder scintillator under X-ray mammographic conditions

The aim of the present study was to measure the imaging transfer characteristics and the luminescence efficiency (XLE) of a Lu₂SiO₅:Ce (LSO:Ce) powder scintillator for use in X-ray mammography detectors. An LSO:Ce powder scintillating screen, with a coating thickness of 25 mg/cm², was prepared in our laboratory. The imaging performance of the screen was assessed by experimental determination of the modulation transfer function (MTF) and the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) as well as single index image quality parameters such as noise equivalent pass band (Ne) and informational efficiency (n _I). A theoretical model, describing radiation and light transfer, was fitted to experimental MTF values in order to estimate optical properties of the scintillator. Screen irradiation was performed under exposure conditions employed in mammographic applications (27 kVp, 63 mAs). MTF was determined by the square wave response function (SWRF) method. Results showed that LSO:Ce exhibits high MTF and DQE values, which are comparable to those of the commercially used Gd₂O₂S:Tb. Considering our image quality parameters and luminescence efficiency results as well as the fast response of the LSO:Ce scintillator screen (40 ns), this material can be considered for use in X-ray mammographic detectors.     

Preliminary studies on a variable energy positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy system

There are many advantages in being able to perform positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) using a variable energy positron beam, the most obvious being the easy identification of different defect types at different depths. The difficulty in conducting variable energy (VE) PALS studies lies in the fact that a “start” signal is required to signal the entry of the positron into the target. Two methods have been used to overcome this problem, namely the bunching technique, which employs radio frequency (RF) cavities and choppers, and secondly the use of secondary electrons emitted from the target. The latter technique is in terms of experimental complexity much simpler, but has in the past suffered from poor time resolution (typically ∼500 ps). In this work, we present a series of computer simulations of a design based on the secondary electron emission from thin C-foils in transmission mode which shows that significant improvements in time resolution can be made with resolutions ∼200 ps being in principle possible.     

An alpha particle detector based on a GPS mosaic scintillator plate for continuous air monitoring in plutonium handling facilities

An alpha particle detector was developed for continuous air monitoring of radioactive contamination in working chambers at plutonium handling facilities. A 5-cm-square Gd₂Si₂O₇:Ce (cerium-doped gadolinium pyro-silicate, GPS:Ce) mosaic scintillator plate for alpha particle measurements was fabricated from GPS single-crystal grains of around 550 μm diameter; the GPS grains were made of a GPS polycrystalline body grown using a top seeded solution method. The scintillator layer thickness was approximately 100 μm. The surface filling rate of the GPS grains was ca. 62%. To suppress the influence of non-uniformity of pulse heights of a photomultiplier tube, a central part of ∅ 40 mm of a 76-mm-diameter photomultiplier tube was used. In addition, 3 mm thick high-transmission glass was used as a substrate of the scintillator plate. The detector achieved energy resolution of 13% for 5.5 MeV alpha particles, detection efficiency of 61% and a radon progeny nuclide reduction ratio of 64.5%. A new alpha particle detector was developed to achieve a high radon progeny nuclide reduction ratio approaching that of a silicon semiconductor detector, with high resistance to electromagnetic noise and corrosion.