Solar aspect determination system
Sensor containing commercially available solid-state position-sensitive light detector provides complete space-vehicle sun or moon vector information.
Farthing, W. H.↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “Solid-state detectors”
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.
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LST and supporting technology
In order to realize the LST objectives of high angular resolution, extended wavelength coverage and faint object detection, the performance of the instruments must be matched to that of the telescope. To insure that adequate technology is available by 1976, an intensive SR & T program has been initiated which builds on previous work and is coordinated with work in other agencies. The primary areas of concern are detectors, on-board computers, and ultraviolet optical components. In the last area grating work is being emphasized. The on-board computer will be necessary to allow pre-processing of raw data and enable detector operation in a pulse counting mode. For detectors, the SEC Vidicon development will be continued but the use of solid-state arrays in the electron bombarded mode and channel plate detectors are being seriously considered. One challenging problem is to provide 2 K cooling to permit ultra-sensitive IR observations to be made.
Sobieski, S.↗
Calibratable solid-state pressure switch
Pressure switch, incorporating a semiconductor light-detector coupled to an electrically controlled actuating unit, provides accurate and reliable switching over a broad range of pressures and environments.
Source record↗
Event-driven readout development: testing of the EDWARD65P1 chip with integrated event generators
Building on a prototype readout integrated circuit for segmented silicon sensors with the EDWARD event-driven readout architecture, the front-end in each pixel was replaced by a hardware generator to verify readout performance, ensuring no data loss, consistent priority handling, and speed verification. Here, this generator produces Poisson-distributed readout requests with individually tunable rates per pixel via a digitally controlled oscillator. The resulting EDWARD65P1 test ASIC is a 32×32 pixel matrix with a 100 μm pitch, equipped with digital event generators simulating radiation hits at user-defined rates. Test results for this new design are presented.
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
NASA's present and future sensor technology developments
NASA's overall sensing, data acquisition, and instrumentation programs are reviewed. The review shows that the trends in advanced sensor technology involve increased use of solid-state sensors, multiapplication sensors, standardized instrumentation, and miniaturized detectors. Examples are given of several new technologies, showing how improvements in sensor operational capability (such as enhanced sensitivity and spectral range) derived from these advances have resulted in relaxed spacecraft stability requirements, mission time savings, and savings in weight, size, and power. The introduction of multiapplication sensors and standardized instrumentation will result in measurement cost reduction and improved compatibility with standardized spacecraft.
Rubin, B.↗
Characterization of Silicon Photomultiplier Photon Detection Efficiency at Liquid Nitrogen Temperature
The detection of individual photons at cryogenic temperatures is of interest to many experiments searching for physics beyond the Standard Model. Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are often deployed in liquid argon or liquid xenon to detect scintillation light either directly or after it has been wavelength-shifted. Maximizing the photon detection efficiency (PDE) of the SiPMs used in these experiments optimizes the sensitivity to new physics; however, the PDEs of commercial SiPMs, although well known at room temperature, are not well characterized at the cryogenic temperatures at which many experiments operate them. Here we present results from an experimental setup that measures the photon detection efficiencies of silicon photomultipliers at liquid nitrogen temperature, 77 K. Results from a KETEK PM3325-WB-D0 and a Hamamatsu S13360-3050CS silicon photomultiplier — of R&D interest to the LEGEND experiment — exhibit a decrease in photon detection efficiency greater than 20% at liquid nitrogen temperature relative to room temperature for 562 nm light.
Cryogenic detectors↗
Ultrastable reference pulser for high-resolution spectrometers
Solid-state double-pulse generator for a high resolution semiconductor detector meets specific requirements for resolution /0.05 percent/, amplitude range /0.1-13 MeV/, and repetition rate /0.1-1000 pulses per second/. A tag pulse is generated in coincidence with each reference pulse.
Brenner, R.↗
Microchannel detector array for X-rays and UV
Device employs sensitive photoelectric electrodes and solid-state memory, can be used at visible UV and X ray wavelengths, includes nonmagnetic proximity focusing, and is immune to high energy charged-particle background.
Timothy, J. G.↗
Neutron detection efficiency measurements of organic glass scintillator arrays
We characterize the neutron detection efficiency of pixelated organic glass scintillator (OGS) arrays manufactured in two ways: an additive method in which the OGS is cast in place in a pixelated mold, and a subtractive method in which the scintillator is first cast as a large block before being cut in bars and bonded together to form the array. The cast-in-place array utilizes a mixture of “bis(9,9-dimethyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)diphenylsilane” (P2), “tri([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)(phenyl)silane” (PB3), and “4-bis(2-methylstyryl)benzene” (MSB), and 50% by weight of polystyrene is added to the mixture for subtractive manufactured array. We compare the performance of the OGS arrays to that of an EJ-299-33M plastic scintillator array that was manufactured using a subtractive process similar to that of the second OGS array.
Neutron detectors (cold, thermal, fast neutrons)↗
DUNE Photon Detection System
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) aims to provide a broad physics program primarily addressed to probing CP violation in the neutrino sector and identifying the neutrino mass hierarchy. The search for proton decay, the observation of supernova neutrino bursts, and the investigation of solar neutrinos represent other additional goals of DUNE experiment, which can be enhanced by the use and the high performances of the Photon Detection System (PDS). Using the technology based on liquid argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC), the experiment plans to observe neutrino interactions inside detectors located 1300 km away from the Long Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), where the neutrinos are produced. The experiment consists of two main parts, respectively the far and near detectors. The far site will comprise four detector modules. The first module is constituted by a vertical drift single-phase LArTPC, while the second module provides a horizontal drift single-phase LArTPC. The configurations of the other modules are still under definition. Neutrino detection in LArTPCs is achieved by identifying the charge and light generated from its interactions with liquid argon. The wire planes of the instrumented anode and the PDS detect these signals, respectively. The PDS in the first two modules, detailed in the present document, uses a modified version of the so-called ARAPUCA technology, named X-ARAPUCA. This system consisting of a highly reflecting box with an entrance window made by dichroic filters and wavelength shifters, creates a trap to detect the VUV (128 nm) scintillation photons. The X-ARAPUCA of the first module is called Supercell, and it has dimensions of 488×100 mm 2 , while Megacell is the second module version, with an active area of 60×60 cm 2 . This latter configuration also represents a significant technological advancement. Since half of the modules are placed on the cathode at high voltage, they are powered and read out using innovative power-over-fiber (PoF) and signal-over-fiber (SoF) technologies. Meanwhile, the other half are installed in a membrane behind the field cage, with a total transparency of around 70%.
Neutrino detectors↗
Application of visible linear array technology to earth observation sensors
The present paper identifies the systems engineering aspects of applying solid-state technology to earth observations applications being traditionally performed by point (or multiple-point) detector line scanned mechanisms. It is shown that the translation from a basically serial data flow point-detector mechanically-scanned sensor to a solid state highly parallel linear-array pushbroom sensor results in minimizing mechanical complexity and maximizing electronics complexity, with increased demands upon optical performance in some applications. Technical aspects relevant to highly parallel photodiode linear-array pushbroom applications are discussed. Examples of systems engineering applications are provided.
Noll, R. E.↗
Breadboard linear array scan imager using LSI solid-state technology
The performance of large scale integration photodiode arrays in a linear array scan (pushbroom) breadboard was evaluated for application to multispectral remote sensing of the earth's resources. The technical approach, implementation, and test results of the program are described. Several self scanned linear array visible photodetector focal plane arrays were fabricated and evaluated in an optical bench configuration. A 1728-detector array operating in four bands (0.5 - 1.1 micrometer) was evaluated for noise, spectral response, dynamic range, crosstalk, MTF, noise equivalent irradiance, linearity, and image quality. Other results include image artifact data, temporal characteristics, radiometric accuracy, calibration experience, chip alignment, and array fabrication experience. Special studies and experimentation were included in long array fabrication and real-time image processing for low-cost ground stations, including the use of computer image processing. High quality images were produced and all objectives of the program were attained.
Tracy, R. A.↗
A Technique for Increasing the Sensitivity of a Solid-State Fission Probe
A small silicon p-n junction wafer, when coated with uranium 235, can be used as a compact fission probe for low power flux and power mapping. Because of the inverse relation between the magnitude of a neutron-induced fission pulse and the inherent capacitance of the detecting element (capacitance is proportional to area), the size, and hence the sensitivity, of the semiconductor detector has been limited. New developments in the field of semiconductor detectors have made it possible to fabricate large area detectors which are essentially free from the capacitance effect. However, preliminary results indicate that they are much more susceptible to radiation damage than the detectors described in this report and as such may not be suitable for flux mapping. increasing the sensitivity cannot be accomplished by simply fabricating a larger detector. It has been observed that by combining the silicon p-n junction wafers in a series configuration the capacitance effect can be bypassed, and a fission probe can be made with a resultant increase in sensitivity by a factor of ten while sustaining only a minor decrease in pulse height. Analysis further indicates that for n silicon wafers in series, if n(C(sub i)) + C(sub c)/C(sub b) less than 0.1 where C(sub i) and C(sub c) are the preamplifier input and cable capacitances, respectively, and C(sub b) is the junction capacitance of a single silicon wafer, there should be no substantial reduction in pulse height due to series circuitry.
Steinberg, Robert↗
Experimental determination of cosmic ray charged particle intensity profiles in the atmosphere
Absolute cosmic-ray free air ionization and charged particle fluxes and dose rates throughout the atmosphere were measured on a series of balloon flights that commenced in 1968. Argon-filled ionization chambers equipped with solid-state electrometers, with different gas pressures and steel wall thicknesses, and a pair of aluminum-wall Gm counters have provided the basic data. These data are supplemented by measurements with air-filled and tissue equivalent ionization chambers and a scintillation spectrometer. Laboratory experiments together with analyses of the theoretical aspects of the detector responses to cosmic radiation indicate that these profiles can be determined to an overall accuracy of + or - 5 percent.
Lowder, W. M.↗
Introducing new resonant soft x-ray scattering capability in SSRL
Resonant soft x-ray scattering (RSXS) is a powerful technique for probing both spatial and electronic structures within solid-state systems. Here, we present a newly developed RSXS capability at beamline 13-3 of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, designed to enhance materials science research. This advanced setup achieves a base sample temperature as low as 9.8 K combined with extensive angular motions (azimuthal ϕ and flipping χ), enabling comprehensive exploration of reciprocal space. Two types of detectors—an Au/GaAsP Schottky photodiode and a charge-coupled device detector with over 95% quantum efficiency—are integrated to effectively capture scattered photons. Extensive testing has confirmed the enhanced functionality of this RSXS setup, including its temperature and angular performance. The versatility and effectiveness of the system have been demonstrated through studies of various materials, including superlattice heterostructures and high-temperature superconductors.
Kuo, Cheng-Tai [SLAC National Accelerator Laborato↗
Integrated soft snake robot for gamma spectroscopy of radiologically contaminated ducting
Anticipated growth in the number and complexity of nuclear facilities entering the decommissioning phase of their lifespan requires innovative methods of mitigating radiological and safety hazards for workers. Advancements in robotics provide opportunities for remote characterization of radiologically contaminated ducts and pipes, reducing worker exposure. However, the nuclear decommissioning industry has shown a hesitancy in adopting new technology due to concerns regarding capital costs and a lack of demonstration data in representative environments. This work aims to leverage novel soft robotics to develop and demonstrate a sensor-integrated characterization tool for contaminated ducting systems. Two gamma spectrometers – one scintillation-based and one solid-state – were selected and integrated into a pneumatically-actuated snake-like soft robot using stretchable electronic cabling. The robot was then demonstrated at the Idaho National Laboratory’s Critical Infrastructure Test Range Complex. The robot maneuvered through a pseudo-constrained corridor containing several sealed sources and the integrated spectrometers collected spectra at various points along the path of travel. Both spectrometers successfully collected spectra with identifiable, isotope-specific peaks. To evaluate the effect of contamination buildup on the collected spectra, the robot with the integrated scintillation detector was tested using a liquid radioactive source. The resulting spectra showed little detection interference from the liquid contamination; however, a short-lived isotope was used which may not be representative of longer-lived contamination.
11 - NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
Part-scale evolution of fine-scale microstructural heterogeneity in solid-state additive manufacturing
Current solid-state additive manufacturing methods, refined through costly and time-consuming trial and error, have spurred interest in computational models that replicate material behavior under typical thermomechanical conditions (e.g., strain-rate ~ 102 s−1). These models, however, struggle to capture time-dependent microstructural evolution. In this work, Additive Friction-Stir Deposition (AFSD) is used as a representative case study for part-scale quantification of microstructure evolution at a fine spatial resolution (200 μm) by examining a liquid-nitrogen-cooled stop-action build via energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction coupled with a multi-channel detector. These results inform modeling efforts by linking process asymmetry to stored plastic strain, residual elastic strain, and texture development, and unlike current state-of-the-art characterization methods (e.g., EBSD or neutron diffraction), this approach provides both the spatial resolution and collection efficiency necessary to quantify fine-scale microstructural heterogeneity over large component volumes. As such, this technique provides essential validation data for computational models, e.g., crystal plasticity, enabling future prediction of heterogeneous behavior in AFSD and other additive manufacturing processes.
Franz, Cole [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000213465881)↗
Information theory optimization of signals from small-angle scattering measurements
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) of particles in solution informs on the conformational states and assemblies of biological macromolecules (bioSAXS) outside of cryo- and solid-state conditions. In bioSAXS, the SAXS measurement under dilute conditions is resolution limited, and through an inverse Fourier transform, the measured SAXS intensities directly relate to the physical space occupied by the particles via the P (r)-distribution. Yet, this inverse transform of SAXS data has been historically cast as an ill-posed, ill-conditioned problem requiring an indirect approach. Here, we show that through the applications of matrix and information theories, the inverse transform of SAXS intensity data is a well-conditioned problem. The so-called ill-conditioning of the inverse problem is directly related to the Shannon number. By exploiting the oversampling enabled by modern detectors, a direct inverse Fourier transform of the SAXS data is possible, provided the recovered information does not exceed the Shannon number. The Shannon limit corresponds to the maximum number of significant singular values that can be recovered in a SAXS experiment, suggesting this relationship is a fundamental property of band-limited inverse integral transform problems. This correspondence reduces the complexity of the inverse problem to the Shannon limit and maximum dimension. We propose a hybrid scoring function using an information theory framework that assesses both the quality of the model-data fit as well as the quality of the recovered P (r)-distribution. The hybrid score utilizes the Akaike information criteria and Durbin-Watson statistic that considers parameter-model complexity, i.e., degrees of freedom, and the randomness of the model-data residuals. The described tests and findings extend the boundaries for bioSAXS by completing the information theory formalism initiated by Peter B. Moore to enable a quantitative measure of resolution in SAXS, robustly determine maximum dimension, and more precisely define the best parameter model appropriately representing the observed scattering data.
Rambo, Robert P. [Science and Technology Facilitie↗