Radiation detector system and method

摘要

A radiation detector system/method that simultaneously detects alpha/beta, beta/gamma, or alpha/beta/gamma radiation, within an integrated detector is disclosed. The system incorporates a photomultiplier tube with radiation scintillation materials to detect alpha/beta/gamma radiation. The photomultiplier tube output is then shape amplified and fed through discriminators to detect the individual radiation types. The discriminator outputs are fed to anti-coincidence and pulse width and timing analysis module that determines whether individual alpha/beta/gamma pulses are valid and should be counted by corresponding alpha/beta/gamma pulse radiation counters. The system may include a radiation detection method to affect alpha/beta/gamma radiation detection in a variety of contexts. The system/method may be implemented in a variety of applications, including but not limited to whole body radiation contamination detectors, laundry radiation scanners, tool/article radiation detectors, and the like.

主权项

1. A radiation detector system comprising:
(a) scintillation array stack; (b) photomultiplier tube; (c) shaping amplifier; (d) discriminator; (e) anti-coincidence module; (f) radiation counter; and (g) detector case; wherein said detector case is configured as a rectangular box structure; said rectangular box structure comprises a box length dimension larger than the depth of said rectangular box structure; said rectangular box structure comprises a box width dimension larger than the depth of said rectangular box structure; said scintillation array stack comprises scintillation materials responsive to more than one band of radiation; said scintillation array stack is configured in a planar rectangular form factor conforming to the perimeter of said rectangular box structure; said rectangular box structure is configured to contain said scintillation array stack and said photomultiplier tube; said scintillation array stack is in proximity to said photomultiplier tube, said photomultiplier tube receiving excitation input from said scintillation array stack; said shaping amplifier receives the output of said photomultiplier tube and produces one or more radiation pulses based on the excitation and output of said photomultiplier tube; said discriminator receives said radiation pulses and produces a pulse output depending on whether said radiation pulses fit a threshold and pulse width profile associated with a radiation type; and said anti-coincidence module is configured to receive said pulse output and determine whether said pulse output is valid for a given radiation type by the use of a truth table wherein:
said truth table is configured to increment an alpha counter in said radiation counter if said pulse output is determined to be a valid alpha pulse; elsesaid truth table is configured to increment a gamma counter in said radiation counter if said pulse output is determined to be a valid gamma pulse; elsesaid truth table is configured to increment a beta counter in said radiation counter if said pulse output is determined to be a valid beta pulse; elsesaid truth table is configured to reject said pulse output and not increment said radiation counter.