SiPM-based veto detector for the pion beam at FOPI

Conversion electron M?ssbauer Spectroscopy measurements have been made on ZnO single crystals implanted with 60?keV ⁵⁷Fe to 4 and 8 at.% peak concentrations, and annealed up to 800°C. The spectra show quite strong changes with annealing, but no evidence of magnetic components, thus precluding the formation of large sized precipitates or secondary phases. Above an annealing temperature of 650°C, the dominant spectral component is a doublet with hyperfine parameters typical of Fe^3?+?, which is attributed to Fe^3?+? ions in nano-precipitates ～5?nm in size.     

近红外探测器数据采集系统的设计

根据高精度近红外数据采集系统的要求,设计了 3 套数据采集系统.前两套数据采集系统是针对不同的近红外探测器的特性而设计的,能满足近红外数据采集的高精度要求.最后一套数据采集系统采用直接电流模数转换的方法,不仅简化了采集系统的电路结构,也可以为近红外光谱测量系统的设计提供参考.为近红外探测器数据采集系统提供了 3 种不同的设计方案,并搭建了模块进行了测试分析,在实践中得出了各种电路的优缺点和应用环境,对工程人员具有一定的参考价值.     

Surface plasmon resonance device with imaging processing detector for refractive index measurements

This work presents a new surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument based on Kretschmann configuration. This device acquires and processes the reflected SPR image of the sample by using a webcam together with an image processing algorithm that transforms the RGB image in numeric values and correlates the integrated intensity with the refractive index of the solution. Experimental signals were compared with theoretical values and it was found an excellent agreement. In addition, the applicability of the instrument was tested by measuring the refractive index of solutions in a continuous flow mode. Excellent stability and sensitivity of the signal were found in the presence of small changes of the refractive index.     

Aortoiliac imaging by projective phase sensitive MR angiography: effects of triggering and timing of data acquisition on image quality

To assess the ability of projective phase sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to visualize the aortoiliac vascular segment, and to determine the effects of triggering and timing of data acquisition om image quality, we studied 18 healthy volunteers, mean age 33.3 +/- 11 years, by color Doppler imaging and by MR angiography. MR angiography was performed at 1.5 T using a flow-adjustable gradient-echo (FLAG) sequence operated in both ECG-triggered and non-triggered acquisition modes. The images were graded in a blinded fashion by two independent observers. The data were analyzed using Pearson's chi-square analysis. Eighteen triggered time-resolved and 17 non-triggered, time-averaged MR angiograms consisting of 252 and 17 angiographic images, (AI) respectively, were analyzed. In the triggered mode 69 (27.4%) AI and in the non-triggered mode 2 (11.8%) AI were diagnostic. At least one triggered diagnostic AI was obtained in each subject. The image grades were not statistically different between observers (kappa = 0.6686). In the triggered mode diagnostic images were acquired within +/- 90 msec of the peak systolic flow velocity determined by Doppler. The proportion of diagnostic images in the triggered mode was highest (73.3%) within a 30-msec interval before the peak flow. In healthy subjects the aortoiliac segment is reliably visualized by FLAG MR angiography. The optimum results are achieved using the triggered acquisition mode and timing acquisition to the initial 180 msec of the abdominal aortic systolic flow pulse.     

HL-2M 装置时序控制与数据采集系统设计

基于 FPGA 和 IEEE1588PTPv2 协议设计了 HL-2M 装置时序控制系统,用于在精准时刻为测控系统 提供触发。数据采集系统采用客户端/服务端双模式管理。在 HL-2M 装置初始等离子体放电实验中测试结果表明, 时序控制和采集系统具有纳秒级精度触发,实时性强,数据传输速度快,稳定可靠,方便部署和管理的特点,满 足 HL-2M 等离子体放电实验的应用需求。     

Qubit measurements with a double-dot detector

We propose to monitor a qubit with a double-dot (DD) resonant-tunneling detector, which can operate at higher temperatures than a single-dot detector. In order to assess the effectiveness of this device, we derive rate equations for the density matrix of the entire system. We show that the signal-to-noise ratio can be greatly improved by a proper choice of the parameters and location of the detector. We demonstrate that quantum interference effects within the DD detector play an important role in the measurement. Surprisingly, these effects produce a systematic measurement error, even when the entire system is in a stationary state.     

Preliminary thoughts on the data acquisition for the next generation of silicon tracking systems

Preliminary thoughts about the data acquisition system to be developed for the next generation of large area silicon tracker are presented in this paper. This paper describes the set of data delivered by these tracking systems, and the various stages of processing and data flow transmission from the front-end chip sitting on the detector to the latest stage in the data processing. How to best profit from the status of the art technologies is a major goal.      

QEPAS detector for rapid spectral measurements

A quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor designed for fast response was used in combination with a pulsed external cavity quantum cascade laser to rapidly acquire gas absorption data over the 1196–1281 cm⁻¹ spectral range. The system was used to measure concentrations of water vapor, pentafluoroethane (freon-125), acetone, and ethanol both individually and in combined mixtures. The precision achieved for freon-125 concentration in a single 1.1 s long spectral scan is 13 ppbv.     

Applications of a silicon photodiode detector for radon progeny measurements

An application of our developed silicon photodiode detector for radon progeny measurements is presented in this paper. It was determined the deposition velocity for free (3.6 ± 0.7) × 10⁻³ m s⁻¹ and attached (1.0 ± 0.5) × 10⁻⁵ m s⁻¹ fraction of short living radon progeny.     

Single-shot dual-energy x-ray imaging with a flat-panel sandwich detector for preclinical imaging

We describe a multi-layer (“sandwich”) configuration detector consisting of two x-ray imaging flat-panel detectors for single-shot (single-kV) dual-energy imaging. An intermediate copper filter is used to increase spectral separation between the two detectors to improve contrast at the expense of image noise. Monte Carlo and cascaded-systems analyses of the signal and noise performance are described that quantify performance characteristics. Image quality of dual-energy images obtained from a prototype sandwich-detector system is evaluated using a figure of merit (FOM), defined as the squared contrast-to-noise ratio normalized by x-ray exposure for a mouse phantom for preclinical imaging. Demonstration dual-energy bone and soft-tissues images of a postmortem mouse are obtained using the prototype system. While the FOM with the single-shot detector is lower than that achieved using a conventional dual-shot (dual-kV) method, the single-shot approach may be preferable when imaging speed or insensitivity to motion artifacts is a primary concern.     

Simple data acquisition method for multi-dimensional EPR spectral-spatial imaging using a combination of constant-time and projection-reconstruction modalities

A combination of the constant-time spectral-spatial imaging (CTSSI) modality and projection-reconstruction modality was tested to simplify data acquisition for multi-dimensional CW EPR spectral-spatial imaging. In this method, 3D spectral-spatial image data were obtained by simple repetition of conventional 2D CW imaging process, except that the field gradient amplitude was incremented in constant steps in each repetition. The data collection scheme was no different from the conventional CW imaging system for spectral-spatial data acquisition. No special equipment and/or rewriting of existing software were required. The data acquisition process for multi-dimensional spectral-spatial imaging is consequently simplified. There is also no “missing-angle” issue because the CTSSI modality was employed to reconstruct 2D spectral-spatial images. Extra reconstruction processes to obtain higher spatial dimensions were performed using a conventional projection-reconstruction modality. This data acquisition technique can be applied to any conventional CW EPR (spatial) imaging system for multi-dimensional spectral-spatial imaging.     

Feasibility of diffusional kurtosis tensor imaging in prostate MRI for the assessment of prostate cancer: Preliminary results

Purpose

To assess the feasibility of full diffusional kurtosis tensor imaging (DKI) in prostate MRI in clinical routine. Histopathological correlation was achieved by targeted biopsy.

Materials and Methods

Thirty-one men were prospectively included in the study. Twenty-one were referred to our hospital with increased prostate specific antigen (PSA) values (> 4 ng/ml) and suspicion of prostate cancer. The other 10 men were volunteers without any history of prostate disease. DKI applying diffusion gradients in 20 different spatial directions with four b-values (0, 300, 600, 1000 s/mm²) was performed additionally to standard functional prostate MRI. Region of interest (ROI)-based measurements were performed in all histopathologically verified lesions of every patient, as well as in the peripheral zone, and the central gland of each volunteer.

Results

DKI showed a substantially better fit to the diffusion-weighted signal than the monoexponential apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Altogether, 29 lesions were biopsied in 14 different patients with the following results: Gleason score 3 + 3 = 6 (n = 1), 3 + 4 = 7 (n = 7), 4 + 3 = 7 (n = 6), 4 + 4 = 8 (n = 1), and 4 + 5 = 9 (n = 2), and prostatitis (n = 12). Values of axial (K_ax) and mean kurtosis (K_mean) were significantly different in the tumor (K_ax 1.78 ± 0.39, K_mean 1.84 ± 0.43) compared with the normal peripheral zone (K_ax 1.09 ± 0.12, K_mean 1.16 ± 0.13; p < 0.001) or the central gland (K_ax 1.40 ± 0.12, K_mean 1.44 ± 0.17; p = 0.01 respectively). There was a minor correlation between axial kurtosis (r = 0.19) and the Gleason score.

Conclusion

Full DKI is feasible to utilize in a routine clinical setting. Although there is some overlap some DKI parameters can significantly distinguish prostate cancer from the central gland or the normal peripheral zone. Nevertheless, the additional value of DKI compared with conventional monoexponential ADC calculation remains questionable and requires further research.     

Preliminary study of depth of interaction measurement for a PET detector

In this work we studied the feasibility of detecting the depth of interaction (DOI) with two layers of crystal arrays of LYSO and BGO scintillators coupled to a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube (PS-PMT) R8900-C12. A front-end electronics was designed, with which we got different pulse shapes for different crystals to obtain depth information. With the double integration method, we got the DOI histogram of a divided integration ratio of two crystals as the standard to determine the layer-of-interaction. The DOI accuracy, measured by scanning a ²²Na slit source along the side of the module, was 98% for the LYSO layer and 95% for the BGO layer. The energy resolution at 511keV was 13.1% for LYSO and 17.1% for BGO. We obtained good crystal separation in 2D position histograms of both layers. These results could be useful in the manufacture of PET scanners with high spatial resolutions.     

Characteristics of a plasma detector for tea CO2 laser pulse measurements

Measurement of the e.m.f. generated by the electron emission from laser-produced solid target plasmas shows the evolution of the laser pulse. Using this phenomenon, a “plasma detector” is constructed. The feasibility of the plasma detector is demonstrated for a long TEA CO₂ laser pulse (100 mJ, 60ns). Good time resolution is obtained by using an anode coated with ceramics. The linearity of response with the incident laser intensity for the 10⁹–10¹⁰ W/cm² range is confirmed. The relation of the output voltage to the incident laser intensity is analyzed according to the isothermal rarefaction model. This theoretical analysis and experimental results suggest that there exists an optimum separation between the anode and the cathode.     

Evaluation of a PbTe detector for infrared imaging purposes

Summary An infra-red detector produced by the Elettronica SPA Company for the European Space Agency to be used in the Earth surface mapping from aircraft has been tested in our laboratory. We present the characteristics of the detector working in the spectral range (1÷2.5) μm. The acquisition system and the electronics are discussed and a detailed study of all the noise sources is presented; the measured NEP is 3.2·10⁻¹⁴W Hz^−1/2 at a temperature of 108 K. Paper presented at the V Cosmic Physics National Conference, S. Miniato, November 27–30, 1990.     

Characterization of a triple-GEM position sensitive detector for X-ray fluorescence imaging

In this work, we characterized an X-ray position sensitive gaseous detector based in a triple stack of gas electron multipliers. The readout circuit is divided in 256 strips for each dimension and using a resistive chain interconnecting the strips, we are able to reconstruct the radiation interaction points by resistive charge division. The detector achieved gains above 10⁴, energy resolution of 15.28% (full width at half maximum) for 5.9 keV X-rays, and position resolution of 1.2 mm, while operating in Ar/CO₂(90/10) at atmospheric pressure.     

Energy resolved imaging with a stratified phosphor detector

Polycrystalline solid state solutions of Ba_ySr_1 − yCl₂ have been produced; these adopt the cubic fluorite phase for y ≤ 0.30. The cubic structure minimizes optical scattering from grain boundaries, and so for y ≤ 0.30 the materials are transparent, a key advantage for ceramic scintillators and phosphors. The substitution of Sr²⁺ ions with Ba²⁺ ions has the advantage that it substantially increases the x-ray absorption coefficient with respect to pure SrCl₂. Additional doping with rare earth ions such as Sm²⁺ and Eu²⁺ gives bright x-ray phosphor materials. The Sm or Eu-doped materials show a broad 4f⁵5 d¹ → 4f⁶ emission peaked at 685 nm or a broad 4f⁶5 d¹ → 4f⁷ emission peaked at 406 nm respectively. These materials have been tested as x-ray phosphors and the spatial resolution was determined to be at least 6 LP/mm, whilst the x-ray radioluminescence intensity is around 40% that of the commercial x-ray phosphor Gd₂O₂S:Tb. A stratified phoswich structure, comprising Eu and Sm-doped layers of Ba_ySr_1 − yCl₂ was produced in which the relative intensities of the two emissions varies with x-ray beam energy; this can be used for energy discrimination in imaging by way of emission spectra as opposed to the more commonly used pulse shape discrimination. A dual energy imaging technique based on these bi-layered structures and utilizing a semi-professional grade digital SLR camera is described and composition-sensitive imaging has been demonstrated.