Apparatus and method for detection, location, and identification of gamma sources
US8067742B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T1/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation includes at least two scintillation crystals at angular offsets and directed toward a common plane of detection, photodetectors adjacent to each of the scintillation crystals for converting the light response of the scintillation crystals into distinct electrical signals, and a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal. The digital processing system monitors a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to a selected set of radioisotopes, and uses one or more of the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for a detected radioisotope in the plane of detection. Another scintillation crystal directed outside of the common plane of detection may be used for three-dimensional detection. Related methods for detection and location of gamma ray sources are discussed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.