Gamma and neutron dose measurements with solid state nuclear track detectors

An attempt has been made to explore the possibility of using solid state nuclear track detectors for the estimation of gamma and neutron doses based on the use of changes in activation energy of degradation of these detectors, due to irradiation (gamma-neutron), as a means of dosimetry. Thermogravimetry (TG) has been applied as a tool for these studies carried out on Lexan and CR-39 track detectors. A linear relationship observed between the decrease in activation energy and the dose (gamma-neutron) received by the detectors suggests the possibility of the use of these detectors as gamma and neutron dosimeters.      

High energy heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors

Bubble detectors which are commonly used as neutron detectors have been demonstrated through this study to be good detectors for registration of high energy heavy ion tracks. Large size bubble detectors made in China Institute of Atomic Energy were irradiated to heavy ions Ar and C up to 650 MeV/u and 400 MeV/u, respectively. Very clear features of stringy tracks of high energy heavy ions and their fragmentations are manifested and distinguishable. A single track created by a specific high energy heavy ion is composed of a line of bubbles, which is visible by naked eyes and retained for months wihhout reduction in size. The creation of heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors is governed by a threshold whose essence is approximately a critical value of energy loss rate (dE/dX)_c similar to that of etch track detectors. Ranges of heavy ions in bubble detectors are apparent and predictable by existing formulas. Identification of high energy heavy ions and the applications to heavy ion physics, cosmic rays, exotic particles and cancer therapy monitoring are obviously promising. The experimental and theoretical aspects of high energy heavy ion tracks in bubble detectors as well as the expectable applications are presented and discussed.     

Comparison of the performance of uncooled CdHgTe PC and PEM 10.6 μm detectors

The ultimate performance of uncooled CdHgTe photon detectors for 10.6 μm radiation has been analysed. PC and PEM detectors based on CdHgTe homogeneous epitaxial layers or graded-gap structures are considered. The performance has been calculated numerically using a generalized model of PC and PEM effects in heterogeneous structures. Relatively high ultimate voltage responsivity and normalized detectivity for the detectors mentioned have been predicted. It has been shown that these detectors are better than other types of uncooled detectors as far as high-frequency modulation and the 10.6 μm wavelength range are concerned.     

Microplasma-Based Detectors for Gas Chromatography: Current Status and Future Trends

Abstract: Microplasma is a useful detector for analyzing the effluent of gas chromato-graphy due to its remarkable capacity for portability, high sensitivity, and excellent multielement selectivity. Compared to classical detectors, microplasma detectors have the advantages of small size, low cost, and low energy consumption in design and operation. We aim to provide an overview of microplasma detectors and show their applications in various chemical analyses. The operational characteristics and analytical performance of different microplasma detectors, such as capacitively coupled microplasma, glow discharge microplasma, and microhollow-cathode microplasma, are presented in detail to reveal the current status of microplasma detectors for gas chromatography. In addition, several approaches for the design of microplasma are discussed and the future trends in the development of microplasma detectors are highlighted at the end of this review. Various applications of microplasma detectors for gas chromatography systems are also presented in this review.     

HOT infrared photodetectors

At present, uncooled thermal detector focal plane arrays are successfully used in staring thermal imagers. However, the performance of thermal detectors is modest, they suffer from slow response and they are not very useful in applications requiring multispectral detection. Infrared (IR) photon detectors are typically operated at cryogenic temperatures to decrease the noise of the detector arising from various mechanisms associated with the narrow band gap. There are considerable efforts to decrease system cost, size, weight, and power consumption to increase the operating temperature in so-called high-operating-temperature (HOT) detectors. Initial efforts were concentrated on photoconductors and photoelectromagnetic detectors. Next, several ways to achieve HOT detector operation have been elaborated including non-equilibrium detector design with Auger suppression and optical immersion. Recently, a new strategies used to achieve HOT detectors include barrier structures such as nBn, material improvement to lower generation-recombination leakage mechanisms, alternate materials such as superlattices and cascade infrared devices. Another method to reduce detector’s dark current is reducing volume of detector material via a concept of photon trapping detector. In this paper, a number of concepts to improve performance of photon detectors operating at near room temperature are presented. Mostly three types of detector materials are considered — HgCdTe and InAsSb ternary alloys, and type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice. Recently, advanced heterojunction photovoltaic detectors have been developed. Novel HOT detector designs, so called interband cascade infrared detectors, have emerged as competitors of HgCdTe photodetectors.     

Detection of gravitational waves using a network of detectors

We formulate the data analysis problem for the detection of the Newtonian coalescing-binary signal by a network of laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors that have arbitrary orientations, but are located at the same site. We use the maximum likelihood method for optimizing the detection problem. We show that for networks comprising of up to three detectors, the optimal statistic is just the matched network-filter. Alternatively, it is simply a linear combination of the signal-to-noise ratios of the individual detectors. This statistic, therefore, can be interpreted as the signal-to-noise ratio of the network. The overall sensitivity of the network is shown to increase roughly as the square-root of the number of detectors in the network. We further show that these results continue to hold even for the restricted post-Newtonian filters. Finally, our formalism is general enough to be extended, in a straightforward way, to address the problem of detection of such waves from other sources by some other types of detectors, eg., bars or spheres, or even by networks of spatially well-separated detectors.     

成像深度对光声层析成像的影响

为了研究不同成像深度对光声层析成像质量的影响,利用多元线性阵列探测器在有限方位进行探测成像。由仿真和实验结果表明,吸收体离探测器越近,其成像效果较好,当多元线性阵列探测器的尺寸与成像深度比小于1时,重建图像畸变明显。在这种情况下,采用旋转扫描探测,其成像效果明显提高。该研究结果对光声层析成像扫描轨迹的设计、成像效果评估具有较好的参考价值。     

红外探测器光谱响应度的均匀性及直线性测试研究

红外探测器光谱响应度的均匀性及直线性一直被认为是评价红外探测器性能的关键技术指标。目前，国防科工委光学计量一级站正在进行红外光谱响应度及其均匀性和直线性的测试研究，也包括对大气窗口一系列特性的测试研究。同时，还评价了一系列商用红外探测器，期望得到性能良好的、可用于不同波段量值传递的红外标准探测器。本文着重介绍红外探测器光谱响应度的均匀性及直线性的测试方法及测试结果，并评价一系列用于量值传递的不同波段的红外探测器。     

Miniature array postdetection-encoded MRI

A method for performing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements simultaneously from more than a single radiofrequency (RF) coil is presented. The method employs the detection of magnetic resonance signals in an array of detectors, where each detector is responsible for detecting a unique frequency bandwidth or a magnetic resonance signal from a unique location in a region in a primary, substantially homogeneous, static magnetic field. The detectors may be separated logically into groups, whereby all the detectors in a given group are essentially RF-decoupled from each other to substantially eliminate cross-talk by switching circuits or by being placed from each other sufficiently remotely. Sampling of detected signals from detectors in this array is done simultaneously over groups of noninteracting detectors. The detected signals from all detectors in a given group are simultaneously transmitted to a single preamplifier, thus increasing significantly the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in that preamplifier. Prior to transmitting each detected NMR signal of each detector to the preamplifier, each detected signal is separately and uniquely encoded electronically. This provides a method whereby the signal of each detector is uniquely encoded. Accumulating all these encoded signals, which were simultaneously received in a number of RF detectors into a single amplifier, results in the total signal having a high SNR ratio. This total amplified signal is later decoded into each detector's original signal by a decoding circuitry. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques may be thereafter applied to obtain an image. Or else, conventional NMR techniques may be thereafter applied to obtain an improved SNR from a sample, using a single preamplifier with a multitude of detectors. Applying this method to a large number of miniature and closely packed RF detectors placed in an array-like configuration results in an MRI technique with a very fast acquisition time, an increased SNR and a high spatial resolution equivalent to the number of detectors per unit of length. Deblurring and decoupling algorithms allow for images from layers as deep as 6 mm to be acquired.     

UV detectors based on nanocrystalline ZnO films

Nanocrystalline films of zinc oxide deposited by rf magnetron sputtering are used as a working material of UV detectors. The photoelectric performance of UV detectors versus ZnO deposition conditions is studied. The influence of the surface topology of the UV detectors on their efficiency is examined with an atomic force microscope.     

Photodetectors,their performance and their limitations

With the human eye as a reference, a short survey of man-made photodetectors is given. The smallest number of detectable photons and the “detectivity” of present-day detectors, both as a function of the wavelength, are discussed in more detail. Finally, some special comments on the performance of photoconductive detectors are made since they are at present the most sensitive detectors for middle and far infrared radiation.     

HIRFL-CSR外靶终端上硅微条探测器阵列的搭建

硅微条探测器因具有很强的位置分辨率与能量分辨率而在世界各大核物理实验室得到广泛应用。中国科学院近代物理研究所研制了性能优越、位置精度达到0.5 mm×0.5 mm的双面硅微条探测器,用于HIRFL-CSR的外靶实验终端谱仪(ETF)上,用作径迹测量以及△E-E望远镜系统△E的探测。硅微条探测器体积小、集成度高,利用柔性印刷电路板(FPCB)引出信号,配合ASIC芯片的前端电路,能够方便地给出每一条的能量信息和位置信息。在此详细阐述了在HIRFL-CSR的ETF上双面硅微条探测器阵列的搭建,并测量了放射源在真空中探测单元的能量分辨本领。结果表明,该硅条探测器的每个探测单元对5~9 MeV能量的α粒子的能量分辨率在1%左右。     

Verification of Mason and Smythe equations for electrical treeing breakdown at the tip of charged particle tracks in ECE polycarbonate detectors

There are two different equations to describe enhancement of field strength at the track tip in ECE polycarbonate detectors: Mason and Smythe equations. In order to evaluate the equations, PC detectors with different thicknesses were exposed to 1 MeV alpha and/or fast neutron. The response of the detectors was studied as a function of applied voltage and average field strength. The ratio of critical voltages for different detectors was estimated experimentally and compared with calculated values. The experimental results are in good agreement with Smythe's equation. The results show that the track density and mean track diameter in the different detectors have the same behaviour, when the macroscopic field strength increases, and also that the field strength at the tip of tracks is proportional to macroscopic field strength.     

Advantages and disadvantages of luminescence dosimetry

Owing to their excellent dosimetric properties, luminescence detectors of ionizing radiation are now extensively applied in individual dosimetry services. The most frequently used personal dosemeters are based on Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL), radiophotoluminescence (RPL) or thermoluminescence (TL). Luminescence detectors have also found several applications in clinical dosimetry, especially around new radiation modalities in radiotherapy, such as Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) or ion beam radiotherapy. Requirements of luminescence detectors applied in individual and clinical dosimetry and some recent developments in luminescence of detectors and techniques leading to significant improvements of the functionality and accuracy of dosimetry systems are reviewed and discussed.     

Photoluminescence of gamma-, proton- and alpha-irradiated LiF detectors

Lithium fluoride (LiF), one of the most pervasive alkali halides in optical device research, is routinely used in optical data storage and radiation protection. LiF crystals may contain different aggregate defects produced by several types of ionizing radiation, with the number of defects being proportional to the cumulative radiation dose. Stimulation of irradiated LiF detectors by heating or with blue light causes thermoluminescence (TL) or photoluminescence (PL), respectively. We developed a new PL reader equipped with a blue light-emitting diode for stimulation and a Hamamatsu photomultiplier for registering green emissions, dedicated to examining LiF detectors as well as more broadly investigating TL/PL emission from standard LiF detectors irradiated with gamma rays, 60 MeV protons and alpha particles. The results confirmed very high efficiency PL signal from alpha-irradiated LiF detectors corresponding to their low efficiency after gamma irradiation, and vice versa for TL readout. Combining the TL and PL readouts permits us to discriminate between how different kinds of radiation affect efficiency in LiF detectors.     

Evaluation of polarization entanglement generated by pulsed spontaneous parametric down-conversion with multi-pairs using four single-photon detectors for quantum state tomography

Quantum state tomography (QST) is widely used to evaluate entanglement generated by spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Two-fold coincidence counts for 16 different configurations have been measured using single-photon detectors to estimate the fidelity (i.e., the probability overlap between ideal and real states) from the reconstructed density matrix. However, multi-pair emission events degrade the fidelity. Here, we numerically analyze pulse-pumped polarization-entangled photon pairs for single-photon detectors that can or cannot count the number of incident photons to estimate the fidelity given by QST. Threshold single-photon detectors are desirable for QST from a practical point of view. Our analysis suggests that using four threshold single-photon detectors for two-fold coincidence measurements offers almost the same fidelity as that given by four photon-number-resolving single-photon detectors. The fidelity estimated by QST becomes poor and loss independent when two threshold single-photon detectors are used.     

半导体物理效应及其应用讲座第四讲光吸收跃迁效应与半导体红外探测器的应用发展

光吸收跃迁效应是半导体光电探测器的基本物理过程.文章主要介绍光吸收跃迁效应在窄禁带半导体红外探测器应用方面的研究进展.讨论窄禁带半导体带间光吸收跃迁的理论和实验.文章还介绍了本征光吸收系数的表达式及其在材料表征和确定器件截止波长方面的应用,以及它在解释近年来发现的HgCdTe光电二极管电致负荧光现象方面的应用.     

The next detectors for gravitational wave astronomy

This paper focuses on the next detectors for gravitational wave astronomy which will be required after the current ground based detectors have completed their initial observations, and probably achieved the first direct detection of gravitational waves. The next detectors will need to have greater sensitivity, while also enabling the world array of detectors to have improved angular resolution to allow localisation of signal sources. Sect. 1 of this paper begins by reviewing proposals for the next ground based detectors,and presents an analysis of the sensitivity of an 8 km armlength detector, which is proposed as a safe and cost-effective means to attain a 4-fold improvement in sensitivity. The scientific benefits of creating a pair of such detectors in China and Australia is emphasised. Sect. 2 of this paper discusses the high performance suspension systems for test masses that will be an essential component for future detectors, while sect. 3 discusses solutions to the problem of Newtonian noise which arise from fluctuations in gravity gradient forces acting on test masses. Such gravitational perturbations cannot be shielded, and set limits to low frequency sensitivity unless measured and suppressed. Sects. 4 and 5 address critical operational technologies that will be ongoing issues in future detectors. Sect. 4 addresses the design of thermal compensation systems needed in all high optical power interferometers operating at room temperature. Parametric instability control is addressed in sect. 5. Only recently proven to occur in Advanced LIGO, parametric instability phenomenon brings both risks and opportunities for future detectors. The path to future enhancements of detectors will come from quantum measurement technologies. Sect. 6 focuses on the use of optomechanical devices for obtaining enhanced sensitivity, while sect. 7 reviews a range of quantum measurement options.     

Polycrystalline lead selenide: the resurgence of an old infrared detector

The existing technology for uncooled MWIR photon detectors based on polycrystalline lead salts is stigmatized for being a 50-year-old technology. It has been traditionally relegated to single-element detectors and relatively small linear arrays due to the limitations imposed by its standard manufacture process based on a chemical bath deposition technique (CBD) developed more than 40 years ago. Recently, an innovative method for processing detectors, based on a vapour phase deposition (VPD) technique, has allowed manufacturing the first 2D array of polycrystalline PbSe with good electro optical characteristics. The new method of processing PbSe is an all silicon technology and it is compatible with standard CMOS circuitry. In addition to its affordability, VPD PbSe constitutes a perfect candidate to fill the existing gap in the photonic and uncooled IR imaging detectors sensitive to the MWIR photons. The perspectives opened are numerous and very important, converting the old PbSe detector in a serious alternative to others uncooled technologies in the low cost IR detection market. The number of potential applications is huge, some of them with high commercial impact such as personal IR imagers, enhanced vision systems for automotive applications and other not less important in the security/defence domain such as sensors for active protection systems (APS) or low cost seekers. Despite the fact, unanimously accepted, that uncooled will dominate the majority of the future IR detection applications, today, thermal detectors are the unique plausible alternative. There is plenty of room for photonic uncooled and complementary alternatives are needed. This work allocates polycrystalline PbSe in the current panorama of the uncooled IR detectors, underlining its potentiality in two areas of interest, i.e., very low cost imaging IR detectors and MWIR fast uncooled detectors for security and defence applications. The new method of processing again converts PbSe into an emerging technology.     

Nuclear detectors based on n-silicon/copper–phthalocyanine heterojunctions

Nuclear detectors based on n-silicon/copper–phthalocyanine (CuPc) heterojunctions have been fabricated using thermally evaporated CuPc thin films. Two different materials (Au and Al) have been employed to make contact to CuPc. Current–voltage (I–V) characteristics and energy spectra obtained on exposure of the detectors to α-particles have been compared with conventional Au/n-Si surface barrier detector. The results show that the detectors with Au as well as Al contact show characteristics comparable to Au/n-Si detectors. The results have been understood in terms of the band diagram of the junctions formed.