Low temperature light yield measurements in NaI and NaI(Tl)

The scintillation light output of a pure and a Thallium doped Sodium Iodide (NaI) crystal under irradiation with 5.486?MeV ?? particles has been measured over a temperature range from 1.7?K to 300?K. Estimates of the decay time constant at three selected temperatures are given. For pure NaI an increase in light yield towards low temperatures could be confirmed and measured at higher precision. For NaI(Tl) below 60?K an increase in light output has been found.     

Optical and Scintillation Properties of NaI(Tl) Crystals

Using absorption spectroscopy and luminescent methods, we have investigated qualitatively dissimilar NaI and NaI(Tl) crystals. It is established that in NaI(Tl) crystals grown under conditions of melt hydrolysis and interaction with the air components, centers of additional luminescence of nonactivation nature are formed that decrease the transparency in the activator-radiation region. Data on the hole nature of these centers are obtained. It is shown that high-temperature annealing can alter the number of centers responsible for the decrease in the transparency of the NaI(Tl) crystals.     

A preliminary search for Q-balls by delayed coincidences in NaI(Tl)

A preliminary search for Q-balls, stable non-topological solitons allowed by supersymmetric models, with highly radiopure NaI(Tl) detectors is discussed.     

Digital pulse deconvolution method for current tails of NaI(Tl) detectors

To overcome the problem of pulse pile-up at high count rates, a digital deconvolution algorithm is used to remove the exponential current tails of NaI(Tl) detectors, so as to obtain a current unit impulse. Then a narrow pulse can be obtained through pulse shaping. The pulse deconvolution technique can thoroughly eliminate the influences of ballistic deficit and improve traditional pulse shaping systems in both pulse throughput and energy resolution. To demonstrate this method, the energy spectrum of a ~(137)Cs radioactive source was measured. When the shaping time constant is 1.5 μs, traditional pulse shaping systems yielded a 6.99% energy resolution and 68 kcps count rate, while the new pulse deconvolution technique, used to improve traditional pulse shaping systems, yielded a 6.37% energy resolution and 102 kcps count rate.     

碘化钠NaI(Tl)单晶闪烁探测器的应用

碘化钠NaI(Tl)单晶闪烁探测器由射线探测器、计算机多道、高压电源及线性放大器、计算机多道脉冲幅度分析器等部分组成。当放射源发出的γ射线进入闪烁体时,γ光子即与闪烁体中的原子、分子及晶体系统发生相互作用(如光电效应,康普顿散射和电子对效应等)。     

单光子计数闪烁探测器灵敏度标定方法

根据NaI(Tl)闪烁探测器可用于单光子计数的特性,探索了一种测量放射源入射下闪烁探测器脉冲电荷谱来实现其绝对灵敏度标定的方法。实验对标定系统的电荷数字转换记录器进行了绝对标定,得到了用于ICF实验中重要诊断设备滤波-荧光谱仪的NaI(Tl)闪烁探测器的绝对灵敏度。灵敏度标定数据不确定度小于10%,较传统的放射源标定方法(15%)显著提高,同时标定能量范围扩大到100keV以上。最后,实验结果与Geant4模拟程序计算的结果进行了比对,符合得较好。     

Non-paulian Nuclear Processes in Highly Radiopure NaI(Tl): Status and Perspectives

Searches for non-paulian nuclear processes, i.e. processes normally forbidden by the Pauli–Exclusion–Principle (PEP) with highly radiopure NaI(Tl) scintillators allow the test of this fundamental principle with high sensitivity. Status and perspectives are addressed.     

单光子计数闪烁探测器灵敏度标定方法

根据NaI(Tl)闪烁探测器可用于单光子计数的特性,探索了一种测量放射源入射下闪烁探测器脉冲电荷谱来实现其绝对灵敏度标定的方法。实验对标定系统的电荷数字转换记录器进行了绝对标定,得到了用于ICF实验中重要诊断设备滤波-荧光谱仪的NaI(Tl)闪烁探测器的绝对灵敏度。灵敏度标定数据不确定度小于10%,较传统的放射源标定方法(15%)显著提高,同时标定能量范围扩大到100 keV以上。最后,实验结果与Geant4模拟程序计算的结果进行了比对,符合得较好。     

Full-Energy peak efficiency of an NaI(Tl) detector with coincidence summing correction showing the effect of the source-to-detector distance

The coincidence summing effect is considered to be one of the most important problems in γ-ray spectrometry. It has played an important role in the detector calibration process, especially at low source-to-detector distances, which are the typical conditions when the environmental samples have to be measured. In this work, the γ–γ coincidence summing correction factors (CSCF) for a 3″×?3″ NaI(Tl) γ-ray detector have been calculated at different distances from the detector end cap. These factors with NaI(Tl) γ-ray detectors have rarely been discussed in the previous literature, due to the lack of the separation process of the close gamma energy lines in the scintillation detector spectrum. The γ–γ CSCF were calculated for ⁶⁰Co, ¹³³Ba and ¹⁵²Eu radioactive point sources, which show the simple and the complex decay scheme of several radionuclides. In order to obtain the CSCF, the following parameters must be estimated by the numerical simulation method (NSM): the total efficiency (ε_T), the full-energy peak efficiency (ε_P) and the effective solid angle (Ω_eff). These parameters were calculated numerically depending on the direct mathematical method and efficiency transfer method. The obtained CSCF was used to correct the measured efficiency curves, which were measured at different distances, then compared to the ETNA and EFFTRAN programs, as well as the CSCF. The results show a good agreement, especially at large source-to-detector distances.     

Size-induced effect on cathode luminescence spectra of CsI(Na) and CsI(Tl) crystals

We investigated the cathode luminescence characteristics of CsI(Na)and CsI(Tl)crystals by the spectrum and structure properties at room temperature.We fabricated three different sizes of CsI(Na)and CsI(Tl)crystals and measured their luminescence spectra under cathode rays.We found that CsI(Na)cathode luminescence peaks appear at 420 and 305 nm,and CsI(Tl)cathode luminescence peaks are 540 and 410 nm,the grain size affects CsI(Na)luminescence significantly,and the Na-related420 nm luminescence intensified relatively when the average grain size reaches~20μm,which becomes weak when the grain size is down to nano-scale.But the cathode luminescence spectra of CsI(Tl)crystals with different size have no obvious changes.Our explanations for these phenomena are that the different impurities in the same host material CsI lead to different luminescence mechanisms.These cathode luminescence characteristics indicate the suitability of CsI(Na)and CsI(Tl)crystals to match photomultiplier tube for large area crystal detector development.     

Design and implementation of the NaI(Tl)/CsI(Na) detectors output signal generator

We designed and implemented a signal generator that can simulate the output of the NaI(Tl)/CsI(Na)detectors’pre-amplifier onboard the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope(HXMT).Using the development of the FPGA(Field Programmable Gate Array)with VHDL language and adding a random constituent,we have finally produced the double exponential random pulse signal generator.The statistical distribution of the signal amplitude is programmable.The occurrence time intervals of the adjacent signals contain negative exponential distribution statistically.     

Color centers in heavily irradiated CsI(Tl) crystals

The absorption and luminescence properties of CsI(Tl) crystals colored by irradiation are studied by the method of the time-resolved spectroscopy. The scheme of the electron transitions in CsI(Tl) crystal is suggested to explain the appearance of the color centers under exposure to the near-UV light. It is established that either of the two types activator color centers holds the charge carrier with opposite sign. The model of the hole Tl²⁺v_c⁻ activator color center is suggested. According to the model the positive charge of Tl²⁺ ion is compensated by the negative charge of a close cation vacancy v_c⁻. The color center emission reveals in the cathode-luminescence spectrum of the colored CsI(Tl) crystal. The high-dose irradiation of CsI(Tl) crystal results in the reduction of the decay time of the near-thallium self-trapped excitons (STE) emission. The decay kinetics of Tl²⁺v_c⁻ emission contains the time components typical for the decay kinetics of near-thallium STE emission. The reason of the observed effects is the energy transfer from the near-thallium STE excitons to the color centers via the inductive-resonant mechanism.     

Effects of gamma irradiation on some chemicals using an NaI (Tl) detector

The present work was carried out to find out the gamma ray shielding properties and to study the effects using an NaI (Tl) detector using radioactive sources ⁵⁷Co, ¹³³Ba, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁵⁴Mn, ⁶⁰Co and ²²Na at energies 122, 356, 511, 662, 840, 1170, 1275 and 1330?keV, for some chemicals, namely, sodium thiosulfate (Na₂S₂O₃), benzoic acid (C₇H₆O₂), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) (C₂H₄O), potassium nitrate (KNO3), naphthalene (C₁₀H₈). Mass attenuation coefficient (µ_m) values obtained from the experiment were used to determine the effective atomic numbers (Z_eff) and effective electron densities (N_eff), atomic cross-sections (σ_t) and electronic cross-sections (σ_e); it will be observed from the present work that the variation in the obtained values is only due to the increase or decrease in the gamma ray energy and the chemical composition of the sample. It was seen that the calculated and obtained values showed good agreement. The investigated data are useful in the electronic industry, plastic industry, building materials and agriculture fields. From the present work it was found that the PVA could be used as a better gamma shielding material.     

A multi NaI(Tl) detector array for medium energyγ-ray spectroscopy

An array of seven hexagonal NaI(Tl) detectors has been set up for measuringγ-ray spectra in the energy region 5 MeV ≤E _γ ≤ 40 MeV with good accuracy. This is in contrast to earlier set ups which mostly used one large sized (about 10 inchesφ × 15 inches long)NaI(Tl) detector. This set up has been made for the study ofγ decay of GDR based on high spin states and ultra-dipole radiations. The array has been provided with the following features: a) TOF discrimination against neutrons, b) pile up detection and elimination, c) active and passive shielding to cut down background and d) an array of trigger counters for multiplicity dependence measurements. The well known program EGS4 has been used to determine the response of the array forγ-rays in the energy region 5–40 MeV and several test measurements have been carried out to confirm the validity of the calculated response functions. Some typicalγ-ray spectra fromα and¹⁶O induced reactions measured at VECC, Calcutta and Pelletron accelerator at TIFR are also shown.     

Investigation of NaI(Tl)-Crystal Having Anomalous Inhomogeneity of Light Yield Spatial Distribution

An experiment with a layer-by-layer irradiation of the large volume NaI(Tl)-crystal has been performed. The inhomogeneity of the light yield spatial distribution along the crystal’s axis was revealed. A new method of accounting for the revealed inhomogeneity in the processing of the gamma-ray spectra registered using a crystal with nonuniform response is proposed. This method is quite universal: the conventional stages of the detector investigation (the calibration with standard gamma-ray sources and the inhomogeneity estimation using a layer-by-layer irradiation) are complemented by another one stage with computing of the absorbed energy distribution using Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, based on the results of these stages, the combined broadening function is formed for calculation of the response function.     

Dependence of NaI(Tl) detector intrinsic efficiency on source-detector distance,energy and off-axis distance: Their implications for radioactivity measurements

In this work the dependence of intrinsic efficiency of a NaI(Tl) detector of radius 3.82 cm and height 7.62 cm on source-detector distance (d), source-off-axis distance (d ₀) and γ-photon energy have been investigated using analytical and Monte Carlo methods. The results showed that, for a given off-axis distance, there exists a value of the ratio of source-detector distance (d) to detector radius (R) where intrinsic efficiency is minimum. This d/R value at which minimum efficiency occurs approaches zero as off-axis distance increases and it is almost constant with increase in energy. In the region where d/R < 0.01, a criteria given by Jehouani et al [1] for good photon detection, intrinsic efficiency decreases with increasing off-axis distance. The implications of the results for radioactivity measurement and radiation protection are discussed. Chacteristics of intrinsic efficiency in the regions d/R < 0.01 and d/R > 10 are also compared.      

Temperature peak-shift correction methods for NaI(Tl) and LaBr3(Ce) gamma-ray spectrum stabilisation

NaI(Tl) and LaBr₃(Ce) detectors are frequently operated under unstable temperature conditions when used in an open environment. These temperature changes result in a peak shift and spectral distortion during measurement. Two methods are proposed to stabilise the measured spectra; they are applied using a software algorithm, without the necessity of adjusting the gain. Both methods are based on the experimental observation that the relative channel displacement due to temperature changes is approximately the same for all channels. The first method corrects the spectrum using experimental data obtained under controlled conditions in the laboratory, and thus it only depends on the detector temperature. The second method uses one known peak in the spectrum to correct all of the channels: the NORM ⁴⁰K peak for the NaI(Tl) detector, the internal contaminant peak of ¹³⁸La for the LaBr₃(Ce), or an external source when these two cannot be easily identified.