Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Detector Response”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

SNM neutron detection using a time-gated synthetic aperture hybrid approach

This work focuses on using forward and adjoint transport in a hybrid application of 3-D deterministic (PENTRAN) and Monte Carlo (MCNP5) codes to model a series of neutron detector blocks. These blocks, or 'channels, ' contain a unique set of moderators with 4 atm He-3 detectors tuned to detect and profile a gross energy spectrum of a passing neutron (SNM) source. Ganging the units together as a large area system enables one to apply time gating the source-detector response to maximize signal to noise responses from a passing source with minimal background; multiple units may be positioned as a collective synthetic aperture detector array to be used as a way of performing real time neutron spectroscopy for detecting special nuclear materials in moving vehicles. The initial design, detector response coupling, confirmation of initial design functionality using adjoint transport calculations, and realistic simulation using PENTRAN and MCNP5 are presented. Future work will include optimization and application to realistic scenarios and additional sources. (authors)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

Pileup Calculations for GADRAS

This report describes how random pileup calculations are performed by the Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) Version 19.1. The computational approach and examples are presented for gamma-ray detectors with and without pileup rejectors. This pileup algorithm executes more quickly and the results are more accurate than previous versions of GADRAS. The detector response function can be refined to characterize distortions in peak shapes that occur at high-count rates. The empirical refinement can also be applied to describe the response of partially-effective pileup rejectors. Implications are discussed for the analysis of both static measurements and dynamic collections of the type acquired with radiation portals. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) office.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2015

Validation and uncertainty of DRF's for a 1"×2" NaI collimated detector for radioisotope holdup measurements

Detector response functions (DRFs) have become the subject of increasing scientific interest for the last thirty years in several industrial applications of radiation detection. These applications include gamma-ray, prompt gamma-ray, and X-ray spectrometry for elemental analysis and location as applied to mining, radio-tracing in medicine, and holdup source characterization. However, it is difficult to create a rigorous mathematical formulation of the DRF. Therefore, semi-empirical and stochastic approaches have been developed instead to construct detector and application specific DRFs. A DRF can be considered to be a function that converts the energy-dependent incidence of incoming source particles onto a detector into a detector response spectrum that simulates the experimental response. The DRF can also be used in the reverse sense in an inverse problem setting, as a step in the process of predicting the physical characteristics of an unknown source (e.g. the holdup problem and library spectra). Much of the recent work on DRFs has been performed by Gardner. He has developed accurate DRF models through semi-empirical curve fitting and Monte Carlo simulation. His DRFs for 3" X 3" NaI detectors have been developed with the experimental measurements taken by Heath and for 6"x6" bare (unshielded) NaI(Tl) detector data with single-energy sources centered on the detector face at a distance of 10 cm. There was agreement with the Heath benchmark detector measurements within two Poisson standard deviations of the measured data. DRFs have also been developed for other detectors such as high purity Germanium detectors and Si(Li) for the same geometries as NaI. Other than a few artifacts such as backscatter peaks, there was good agreement between simulated responses and the experimental data.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simulation of Isotopic Concentrations and Gamma Spectra from Dynamic Fission Sources

A tool was developed to rapidly generate synthetic gamma-ray spectra to evaluate safeguards material control and accounting methods for liquid-fueled molten salt reactors. Molten salt reactor operations pose unique challenges to nuclear safeguards methods and protocols compared to deployed reactors designs (e.g., light water reactors). This research evaluates the use of gamma-ray spectroscopy to monitor fission product isotopic flow through a reactor model to understand expected operations and investigate changes to the spectra with material diversion scenarios. The large design space of molten salt reactors (e.g., liquid-fueled, liquid-cooled, online separations) could potentially lead to many measurement points within the reactor system. The developed analytical tool generates and evaluates synthetic gamma-ray spectra from dynamic reactor simulations by extracting isotopic inventory to generate source terms. An implementation in the Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) Application Program Interface (API) uses the source terms, a model of the reactor component, a detector response function, and measurement plan to quickly generate and analyze spectra. Prospective measurements are then evaluated in the more accurate but slower Geant4 simulations. Utilization of the developed modeling tool and analysis of the subsequent spectra enables optimization of collimation, shielding requirements, and expected count rates that are used to determine key measurement points in the modeled reactor design.

O'Brien, Sean↗
DOE OSTI2024

A guide on modeling electrostatics of semiconductor detectors in COMSOL Multiphysics ® for DRiFT

Adding a new semiconductor detector into the detector response function toolkit (DRiFT) requires a model of the electric potential and the electric field. To get an accurate electrostatics model, the geometry of the detector should be modeled as closely to the real geometry as feasible, including the semiconductor materials, doping layers and concentrations, and contacts. Since the electric field and potential are used to calculate the induced signal, the results of the detector response functions are largely influenced by the electrostatics models. Initial electrostatics models were completed using Silvaco, however, this document provides guidance on using COMSOL Mulitphysics ® (COMSOL) to model the detectors to give users additional flexibility. Guidance on using COMSOL and its user interface are mostly left out of this document, but best practices for geometry, modeling methods, and data format/exporting are included to help users generate models that are compatible with DRiFT, prevents bugs, issues, and inaccuracies during charge collection calculations. The following summary provides an overview of the document.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2011

Assessment of MODIS Thermal Emissive Band On-Orbit Calibration

Sixteen Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer thermal emissive bands (TEBs) cover the wavelength from 3.75 to 14.24 m. TEB calibration uses data collected from the detector responses to the onboard blackbody (BB) and space view. The BB was designed to operate either at a constant temperature for detector linear gain calibration or at temperatures varying from ambient ( 270 K) to 315 K for on-orbit characterization of nonlinear coefficients. In this paper, we assess TEB on-orbit calibration performance in two aspects: One is to review the calibration trending on the orbital, daily, and multiyear timescales, and the other is to analyze the on-orbit calibration radiance uncertainty and its impact on the calibration. The calibration trending confirms the detector response dependence on the instrument temperature. The temperature trending and prelaunch characterization provide the basis for determining the calibration radiance source temperature range and uncertainties. An analytical approach was used to assess the impacts of onboard radiance uncertainties. The BB emission uncertainty, resulting from the temperature measurement error and emissivity uncertainty, causes a calibration uncertainty up to 0.3%, a value decreasing with the band wavelength. The BB nonblackness effect is analyzed and found to be insignificant. For the band with the lowest BB emissivity, the nonblackness affects the calibration radiance by less than 0.08%. The cavity emission uncertainty and the scan-mirror emission uncertainty both cause a less than 0.1% calibration uncertainty. The analysis of the nonlinear calibration coefficient uncertainty shows that its effect on the low Earth-view brightness-temperature range varies by band and is generally insignificant.

Chang, Tiejun↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-C-304-07: Are Small Field Detector Correction Factors Strongly Dependent On Machine-Specific Characteristics?

Purpose: The current small field dosimetry formalism utilizes quality correction factors to compensate for the difference in detector response relative to dose deposited in water. The correction factors are defined on a machine-specific basis for each beam quality and detector combination. Some research has suggested that the correction factors may only be weakly dependent on machine-to-machine variations, allowing for determinations of class-specific correction factors for various accelerator models. This research examines the differences in small field correction factors for three detectors across two Varian Truebeam accelerators to determine the correction factor dependence on machine-specific characteristics. Methods: Output factors were measured on two Varian Truebeam accelerators for equivalently tuned 6 MV and 6 FFF beams. Measurements were obtained using a commercial plastic scintillation detector (PSD), two ion chambers, and a diode detector. Measurements were made at a depth of 10 cm with an SSD of 100 cm for jaw-defined field sizes ranging from 3×3 cm{sup 2} to 0.6×0.6 cm{sup 2}, normalized to values at 5×5cm{sup 2}. Correction factors for each field on each machine were calculated as the ratio of the detector response to the PSD response. Percent change of correction factors for the chambers are presented relative to the primary machine. Results: The Exradin A26 demonstrates a difference of 9% for 6×6mm{sup 2} fields in both the 6FFF and 6MV beams. The A16 chamber demonstrates a 5%, and 3% difference in 6FFF and 6MV fields at the same field size respectively. The Edge diode exhibits less than 1.5% difference across both evaluated energies. Field sizes larger than 1.4×1.4cm2 demonstrated less than 1% difference for all detectors. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that class-specific correction may not be appropriate for micro-ionization chamber. For diode systems, the correction factor was substantially similar and may be useful for class-specific reference conditions.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Calibration of calorimetric measurement in a liquid argon time projection chamber

The liquid argon time projection chamber provides high-resolution event images and excellent calorimetric resolution for studying neutrino physics and searching for beyond-standard-model physics. In this article, we review the main physics processes that affect detector response, including the electronics and field responses, space charge effects, electron attachment to impurities, diffusion, and recombination. We describe methods to measure those effects, which are used to calibrate the detector response and convert the measured raw analog-to-digital converter (ADC) counts into the original energy deposition.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-390: Characterization of the PTW Synthetic Diamond Detector for Radiation Therapy Measurements

Purpose: To investigate the dosimetric properties of new commercially available synthetic single crystal diamond detector under irradiation with therapeutic photon beams from linear accelerators. Methods: A single crystal diamond detector was tested using 6MV photon beam. The detector performance was evaluated for reproducibility, linearity with dose, dose rate dependence, angular dependence, collection efficiency, and measurement of output factors. Lateral field profiles, and percentage depth dose profiles were measured and compared against commercially available detectors. Results: Reproducibility of the detector measurement has a standard deviation of 0.1%. A good linear behavior of the detector response as a function of the delivered dose is observed with deviations below ±0.03% in the dose range from 0.1 to 5Gy. In addition, the detector response is dose rate independent, with deviations below 0.1% in the investigated dose rate range from 1 to 10Gy per min. Charge collection efficiency deviations were within 0.07% from 1 to 10Gy. No angular dependence along the radial direction while up to 1.3% angular dependence was observed in the axial direction. Percentage depth dose curves obtained from the diamond detector are in good agreement with the ones from the reference dosimeters. Lateral beam profile measurements show an overall good agreement among detectors, taking into account their respective geometrical features. The spatial resolution of solid state detectors is confirmed to be better than that of ionization chambers, being the one from the diamond detector comparable to that of the silicon diode. Conclusions: The observed dosimetric properties indicate that the tested diamond detector is a suitable candidate for clinical photon beam dosimetry. The agreement with reference dosimeters show that the detector is suitable for measurements for large fields as well as small fields as the ones used for stereotactic radiotherapy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Radiation Anomaly Detection Algorithms for Field-Acquired Gamma Energy Spectra

The Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) is developing a tactical, networked radiation detection system that will be agile, reconfigurable, and capable of rapid threat assessment with a high degree of fidelity and certainty. Our design is driven by the needs of users such as law enforcement personnel who must make decisions by evaluating threat signatures in urban settings. The most efficient tool available to identify the nature of the threat object is real-time gamma spectroscopic analysis, as it is fast and has a very low probability of producing false positive alarm conditions. Urban radiological searches are inherently challenged by the rapid and large spatial variation of background gamma radiation, the presence of benign radioactive materials in terms of the normally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), and shielded and/or masked threat sources. Multiple spectral anomaly detection algorithms have been developed by national laboratories and commercial vendors. For example, the Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS) a one-dimensional deterministic radiation transport software capable of calculating gamma ray spectra using physics-based detector response functions, was developed at Sandia National Laboratories. The nuisance-rejection spectral comparison ratio anomaly detection algorithm (or N-SCRAD), developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, uses spectral comparison ratios to detect deviation from benign medical and NORM radiation source and can work in spite of strong presence of NORM and or medical sources. RSL has developed its own wavelet-based gamma energy spectral anomaly detection algorithm called WAVRAD. Test results and relative merits of these different algorithms will be discussed and demonstrated.

networked sensor, gamma spectroscopy, false alarm ↗
NASA NTRS1978

Effect of gaseous additives on the response of the helium ionization detector

Changes in the response of the helium ionization detector which occur when varying amounts of gases are added to the helium carrier gas at different applied voltages have been investigated. The addition of hydrogen, argon, oxygen, or nitrogen to the helium carrier gas causes an increase in the detector response when the voltage applied to the detector is more than 350 V, and a decrease in the detector response when the applied voltage is less than 350 V. It was also found that the detector responds positively and linearly to neon when high concentrations of gaseous additives were added to the helium.

Andrawes, F. F.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A full-ring variable-aperture cadmium zinc telluride system for whole-body single photon emission computed tomography: realistic simulations with phantoms

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is an imaging modality that has demonstrated its utility in a number of clinical indications. Despite this progress, a high sensitivity, high spatial resolution, multi-tracer SPECT with a large field of view suitable for whole-body imaging of a broad range of radiotracers for theranostics is not available. Purpose We have designed a cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) variable-aperture full-ring SPECT scanner instrumented with a broad-energy tungsten collimator intended to fill this technological gap. The final purpose is to provide a multi-tracer solution for brain and whole-body imaging. Our static SPECT scanner breaks the paradigm of the standard dual- and triple-head rotational SPECT systems, utilizing a larger detector area in each scan increasing the sensitivity. We provide a demonstration of the performance of our design using a realistic model of our detector with simulated body-sized 99mTc phantoms. Methods We developed a realistic model of our detector by using a combination of a Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation and a CZT detector response model based on a finite element model. Our approach models the characteristic low-energy tail effect in CZT that noticeably affects the sensitivity and the quality of the scatter correction in CZT detectors. We implement a modified dual energy window scatter correction adapted to include the CZT low-energy tail effect. A dedicated correction is also developed to eliminate the undesirable truncation observed in images given the presence of detector edges and gaps between detectors, due to the non-rotational nature of our device. Corrections for the attenuation, detector response and the presence of collimators are also included. The images are reconstructed using the maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization algorithm implemented in the reconstruction open software STIR. Detector and reconstruction performance are characterized with a Derenzo phantom and a body-sized National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Image Quality (IQ) phantom containing 99mTc. Results Our SPECT design can resolve 6.4mm rods in a Derenzo phantom and obtain a good image contrast with the IQ phantom. Explicit testing of the gap and edge correction is provided, showing an excellent performance in eliminating the image truncation artifacts. Our modified scatter correction shows no overestimation of the contrast-recovery ratio for our realistic CZT detector model, as opposed to the cases without correction and with a standard dual-energy window scatter correction. Conclusions In this paper, we further demonstrate the performance of our design for whole-body imaging purposes. This adds to our previous demonstration of improved qualitative and quantitative 99mTc imaging for brain perfusion and 123I imaging for dopamine transport with respect to state-of-the-art NaI dual-head cameras. We show that our design performs similarly to the VERITON SPECT from Spectrum Dynamics, a commercial full-ring CZT SPECT camera, with the potential advantage of the broader energy range of application given by our custom-design tungsten collimators. Here, our device combines high sensitivity and image resolution with a broad-energy imaging application for the purpose of clinical imaging and theranostics of emerging radionuclides.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Deuterated Xylene-Based Neutron Spectrometry

Deuterated scintillators, such as deuterated xylene (C8D10) have been theorized to offer better pulse shape discrimination (PSD) and neutron spectrometry performance than traditional protiated scintillators due to the anisotropy of neutron scattering on deuterium. However, the light output responses of said deuterated scintillators to monoenergetic has not been characterized in its entirety at both high and low energies. Several time-of-flight experiments were conducted at the Idaho national Laboratory to characterize a pair of EJ-301D deuterated xylene detectors. The low energy detector response to quasi-monoenergetic neutrons was measured using a Cf-252 source, and the high energy detector response was measured using a D-T source and angles of 20, 45, and 60 deg, corresponding to theoretical neutron energies of 13.2, 10.4, and 8.2 MeV. During post-processing, the neutron and gamma bands were clearly able to be separated, even at low light outputs, solidifying the superior PSD capability of deuterated xylene. An exponential of fit of LO=0.63E-2.22*(1-exp(-0.25E)), which has good agreement with previously measured data, was found as the light output response from deuteron recoils. Additionally, measurements of AmBe, D-T, and D-D sources were unfolded using the light output response curve, which resulted in favorable agreement with theoretical values. Further testing of the response matrix by unfolding more sources (such as PuBe) needs to be done, but the unfolding accuracy for currently available sources suggests that deuterated xylene can be used to measure and unfold both fission, monoenergetic, and continuous spectra.

scintillator↗
DOE OSTI2013

Detector density and small field dosimetry: Integral versus point dose measurement schemes

Purpose: TheAlfonso et al. [Med. Phys.35, 5179–5186 (2008)] formalism for small field dosimetry proposes a set of correction factors (k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}) which account for differences between the detector response in nonstandard (clinical) and machine-specific-reference fields. In this study, the Monte Carlo method was used to investigate the viability of such small field correction factors for four different detectors irradiated under a variety of conditions. Because k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} values for single detector position measurements are influenced by several factors, a new theoretical formalism for integrated-detector-position [dose area product (DAP)] measurements is also presented and was tested using Monte Carlo simulations. Methods: A BEAMnrc linac model was built and validated for a Varian Clinac iX accelerator. Using the egs++ geometry package, detailed virtual models were built for four different detectors: a PTW 60012 unshielded diode, a PTW 60003 Diamond detector, a PTW 31006 PinPoint (ionization chamber), and a PTW 31018 MicroLion (liquid-filled ionization chamber). The egs-chamber code was used to investigate the variation ofk{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} with detector type, detector construction, field size, off-axis position, and the azimuthal angle between the detector and beam axis. Simulations were also used to consider the DAP obtained by each detector: virtual detectors and water voxels were scanned through high resolution grids of positions extending far beyond the boundaries of the fields under consideration. Results: For each detector, the correction factor (k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}}) was shown to depend strongly on detector off-axis position and detector azimuthal angle in addition to field size. In line with previous studies, substantial interdetector variation was also observed. However, it was demonstrated that by considering DAPs rather than single-detector-position dose measurements the high level of interdetector variation could be eliminated. Under small field conditions, mass density was found to be the principal determinant of water equivalence. Additionally, the mass densities of components outside the sensitive volumes were found to influence the detector response. Conclusions: k{sub Q{sub c{sub l{sub i{sub n,Q{sub m{sub s{sub r}{sup f{sub c}{sub l}{sub i}{sub n},f{sub m}{sub s}{sub r}}}}}}}}} values for existing detector designs depend on a host of variables and their calculation typically relies on the use of time-intensive Monte Carlo methods. Future moves toward density-compensated detector designs or DAP based protocols may simplify the methodology of small field dosimetry.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗