Towards a microchannel‐based X‐ray detector with two‐dimensional spatial and time resolution and high dynamic range

X‐ray detectors that combine two‐dimensional spatial resolution with a high time resolution are needed in numerous applications of synchrotron radiation. Most detectors with this combination of capabilities are based on semiconductor technology and are therefore limited in size. Furthermore, the time resolution is often realised through rapid time‐gating of the acquisition, followed by a slower readout. Here, a detector technology is realised based on relatively inexpensive microchannel plates that uses GHz waveform sampling for a millimeter‐scale spatial resolution and better than 100 ps time resolution. The technology is capable of continuous streaming of time‐ and location‐tagged events at rates greater than 10⁷ events per cm². Time‐gating can be used for improved dynamic range.     

Detection efficiency evaluation for a large area neutron sensitive microchannel plate detector

In this paper, the detection efficiency of a large area neutron sensitive microchannel plate detector has been evaluated. A ~6LiF/ZnS scintillator detector 65 mm in diameter and 0.32 mm in thickness, with product code,EJ426HD2, produced by Eljen Technology, was employed as the benchmark detector. The TOF spectra of these two detectors were simultaneously measured and the energy spectra were then deduced to calculate the detection efficiency curve of thenMCP detector. Tests show the detection efficiency@25.3 me V thermal neutrons is 34% for this ~nMCP detector.     

基于微通道板的中子探测器γ射线灵敏度

研制了一种基于微通道板的超快脉冲中子探测器,对其γ射线灵敏度进行了理论和实验研究。建立了探测器的γ射线灵敏度理论计算模型,利用蒙特卡罗方法模拟计算了不同能量γ射线在不同厚度聚乙烯靶中产生的出射电子能谱和出射角度分布,并结合经验公式计算了单个电子在微通道板(MCP)孔道中产生的二次电子产额,最后得到了探测器的γ射线灵敏度,结果表明当聚乙烯靶厚度大于某一值时,γ射线灵敏度基本相同。利用西北核技术研究所的标准γ射线放射源对探测器的γ射线灵敏度进行了实验标定,实验结果与理论计算结果一致。     

Development of a laser-based fluorescence microscope with subnanosecond time resolution

This report describes the development of a fluorescence microscope based on a standard inverted optical microscope which incorporates a pulsed picosecond dye laser excitation source and a detector consisting of a gated image intensifier coupled to a CCD camera. Fluorescence images have been obtained using gate durations of 0.5 ns from this apparatus, representing a reduction in gate duration of an order of magnitude compared with similar instruments reported by others recently. Subnanosecond gated fluorescence images of V79-4 Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts stained with a phthalocyanine photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy are presented. The results of these measurements are discussed in terms of the intracellular distribution of the sensitizer. Other potential applications and limitations of this technique are also outlined.     

Design and performances of electromagnetic particle detector for LHAASO-KM2A

In the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) project, the one kilometer square extensive air shower array (KM2A) is the the largest detector array in terms of effective area. It consists of 5635 electromagnetic particle detectors (EDs) and 1221 muon detectors (MDs). Each ED is composed of 16 scintillator tiles readout by wavelength-shifting fibers that are bundled and attached by a 25 mm PMT. The design of the unit and its performances, such as photoelectron yield, time resolution and uniformity, are discussed in detail. An assembling scheme for the whole ED is established to guarantee the uniformity throughout all 16 tiles in a single ED and all EDs in mass production.     

Investigation of the energy resolution with a RETGEM detector

A novel Micro-pattern gaseous detector (MPGD), thick GEM with electrodes made of a resistive material (RETGEM) is presented. In this paper we mainly investigate the energy resolution of a RETGEM in Ar+CO_2 with different gas mixtures. The results indicate that an energy resolution 30% in single and double mode can be obtained. The existence of an optimum energy resolution is discussed.     

Investigation of the energy resolution with a RETGEM detector

A novel Micro-pattern gaseous detector （MPGD）, thick GEM with electrodes made of a resistive material （RETGEM） is presented. In this paper we mainly investigate the energy resolution of a RETGEM in Ar＋CO2 with different gas mixtures. The results indicate that an energy resolution 30% in single and double mode can be obtained. The existence of an optimum energy resolution is discussed.     

Time resolution of the bunch-shape detector with a thin-wire emission target

The time resolution of a new bunch-length detector based on the radio frequency (RF) scanning of the produced secondary electrons is calculated. A dedicated Monte-Carlo code by means of SIMION software is developed for accurate simulation of spread in the investigated secondary electrons transit times and image width. In calculation the initial energy distribution of electrons and the actual structure of accelerating and focusing electric fields were considered. It is shown that by using a thin-wire emission target a femtosecond time precision could be achieved using moderate applied voltages.     

A curved image‐plate detector system for high‐resolution synchrotron X‐ray diffraction

The developed curved image plate (CIP) is a one‐dimensional detector which simultaneously records high‐resolution X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns over a 38.7° 2θ range. In addition, an on‐site reader enables rapid extraction, transfer and storage of X‐ray intensity information in ≤30 s, and further qualifies this detector to study kinetic processes in materials science. The CIP detector can detect and store X‐ray intensity information linearly proportional to the incident photon flux over a dynamical range of about five orders of magnitude. The linearity and uniformity of the CIP detector response is not compromised in the unsaturated regions of the image plate, regardless of saturation in another region. The speed of XRD data acquisition together with excellent resolution afforded by the CIP detector is unique and opens up wide possibilities in materials research accessible through X‐ray diffraction. This article presents details of the basic features, operation and performance of the CIP detector along with some examples of applications, including high‐temperature XRD.     

高时间分辨的聚变反应峰值时刻测量

聚变反应峰值时刻是表征惯性约束聚变热核反应的重要参数。在神光Ⅲ原型装置上利用新研制的具有高时间分辨的聚变反应历程测量系统对聚变反应时间过程进行了测量,通过引入时标光获得了对应不同碳氢（CH）烧蚀层厚度的聚变反应峰值时刻数据,测量结果表明:在当前的实验条件下,聚变反应峰值时刻落后入射激光0.7~1.0 ns,增加烧蚀层厚度或氘氚（DT）燃料气压均会导致聚变反应峰值时刻与入射激光间的相对延时增加。     

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.     

伽玛成像探测器空间分辨与相对发光效率

激光尾波场加速伽玛射线源有望成为新一代小型强伽玛射线源。这种射线源具有高能量、高亮度、小焦斑、超短脉冲输出等特点。利用Geant4蒙特卡罗软件包,计算了高能尾波场加速电子在高原子序数靶上的轫致辐射谱,同时在轫致辐射谱的范围内,计算了几种常用伽玛探测晶体相对发光效率和点扩展函数,分析了它们与晶体厚度、材料及入射伽玛能量之间的关系,为将来伽玛探测器的设计提供了理论参考。     

高时间分辨的聚变反应峰值时刻测量

聚变反应峰值时刻是表征惯性约束聚变热核反应的重要参数。在神光Ⅲ原型装置上利用新研制的具有高时间分辨的聚变反应历程测量系统对聚变反应时间过程进行了测量,通过引入时标光获得了对应不同碳氢（CH）烧蚀层厚度的聚变反应峰值时刻数据,测量结果表明：在当前的实验条件下,聚变反应峰值时刻落后入射激光0.7~1.0 ns,增加烧蚀层厚度或氘氚（DT）燃料气压均会导致聚变反应峰值时刻与入射激光间的相对延时增加。     

A stopping layer concept to improve the spatial resolution of gas-electron-multiplier neutron detector

In recent years, gas electron multiplier (GEM) neutron detectors have been developing towards high spatial resolution and high dynamic counting range. We propose a novel concept of an Al stopping layer to enable the detector to achieve sub-millimeter (sub-mm) spatial resolution. The neutron conversion layer is coated with the Al stopping layer to limit the emission angle of ions into the drift region. The short track projection of ions is obtained on the signal readout board, and the detector would get good spatial resolution. The spatial resolutions of the GEM neutron detector with the Al stopping layer are simulated and optimized based on Geant4GarfieldInterface. The spatial resolution of the detector is 0.76 mm and the thermal neutron detection efficiency is about 0.01% when the Al stopping layer is 3.0 μ m thick, the drift region is 2 mm thick, the strip pitch is 600 μ m, and the digital readout is employed. Thus, the GEM neutron detector with a simple detector structure and a fast readout mode is developed to obtain a high spatial resolution and high dynamic counting range. It could be used for the direct measurement of a high-flux neutron beam, such as Bragg transmission imaging, very small-angle scattering neutron detection and neutron beam diagnostic.     

伽玛成像探测器空间分辨与相对发光效率

 激光尾波场加速伽玛射线源有望成为新一代小型强伽玛射线源。这种射线源具有高能量、高亮度、小焦斑、超短脉冲输出等特点。利用Geant4蒙特卡罗软件包,计算了高能尾波场加速电子在高原子序数靶上的轫致辐射谱,同时在轫致辐射谱的范围内,计算了几种常用伽玛探测晶体相对发光效率和点扩展函数,分析了它们与晶体厚度、材料及入射伽玛能量之间的关系,为将来伽玛探测器的设计提供了理论参考。     

使用曲面微通道板和感应电荷位置灵敏阳极的软X射线-极紫外光子计数成像探测器研究

本项目对我国空间探测的极紫外(EUV)波段大视场相机所需求的球面光子计数成像探测器的关键技术进行了研究。首先,建立了光阴极材料次级电子产出模型,利用该模型计算了软X射线-EUV波段常用的光电阴极材料—碱卤化物的次级电子产出,分析了微通道板(MCP)的次级电子产出。建立了测量MCP量子探测效率的装置,并推导出MCP量子探测效率的计算公式,测量了MCP在软X射线-EUV波段的量子效率以及MCP量子效率随掠入射角的变化。其次,建立了球面实芯微通道板的制备装置,利用高温热成型方法制备出曲率半径为150 mm球面MCP,利用光刻技术制备出有效直径为48 mm的楔条形感应电荷位置灵敏阳极,在此基础上集成了一套使用球面MCP和感应电荷位置灵敏阳极的两维光子计数成像探测器。再次,研制出包括快速前端模拟电路与后续数字电路的成像读出电路,编制了能矫正图像畸变的图像实时采集和处理软件。最后,建立了MCP探测器空间分辨率、图像线性的检测装置,对研制出的探测器性能进行了检测,检测结果表明:探测器的各项技术指标完全满足要求。     

新型涂硼热中子MWPC探测器的时间信号读出方法

基于10B薄膜的二维灵敏探测器是新近发展起来的热中子探测器,其灵敏面积大,时间和位置分辨好,n/抑制能力高,抗辐射能力强,可二维读出且具有良好的耐计数能力。针对新型的涂硼灵敏热中子多丝正比（MWPC）探测器,在延迟线时间差方法的基础上,提出一种中子击中位置数字信息的读出方法,并设计NIM读出插件用以验证该方法对于二维中子探测位置信息的读出能力。测试结果表明,本方法能完成4通道探测器信号的实时测量,其时间测量精度好于50 ps。结合FPGA片上系统实时数据控制和处理技术,单插件可支持最高1.3MHz的探测计数率。     

电流型探测器单粒子灵敏度标定的原理及应用

 采用电荷模数转换记录单个脉冲电荷的方法,标定了单能射线在电流型闪烁探测器中产生的平均电流,从而得到其灵敏度。标定结果与传统的电流法在±8%的范围内一致。该标定方法准确度高,扣除本底容易,对标定源的强度要求也大大降低。加上飞行时间法,还可对粒子进行甄别,能在中子-γ射线混合场中将中子和γ射线的电荷贡献分开,得到探测器对每种射线单独的灵敏度。该方法适用于在单个脉冲电荷信噪比较高的场合下标定脉冲电流型探测器。     

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.     

电流型探测器单粒子灵敏度标定的原理及应用

采用电荷模数转换记录单个脉冲电荷的方法,标定了单能射线在电流型闪烁探测器中产生的平均电流,从而得到其灵敏度。标定结果与传统的电流法在±8%的范围内一致。该标定方法准确度高,扣除本底容易,对标定源的强度要求也大大降低。加上飞行时间法,还可对粒子进行甄别,能在中子-γ射线混合场中将中子和γ射线的电荷贡献分开,得到探测器对每种射线单独的灵敏度。该方法适用于在单个脉冲电荷信噪比较高的场合下标定脉冲电流型探测器。