Abstract: An omni-directional sensor device is provided for detecting radiation emission sources, such as nuclear and atomic weapons and dirty bombs. The omni-directional sensor device is constructed as a three-dimensional structure formed of a plurality of walls of gamma ray detector arrays. The walls face in multiple directions to establish omni-directional sensing of incident gamma rays from substantially all directions. As constructed, a first wall of the device intercepts an incident gamma ray at a first location. The gamma ray experiences a Compton scattering effect whereby a deflected gamma ray is emitted into the inner chamber of the device before intercepting a second wall of the device at a second location. The first and second locations can be used to trace the location of the emission source. Also provided are radiation detection systems including the omni-directional sensor devices, and methods of locating a radiation emission source.

Abstract: A radiation sensing unit for a radiation detection system can include a scintillator and a photosensor optically coupled to the scintillator. In an embodiment, the radiation detection system may provide an output signal to a particular radiation flux that is substantially temperature independent over a normal operating temperature range for the scintillator. The radiation sensing unit may further include a controllable radiation source configured to emit radiation and another photosensor coupled to controllable radiation source. A radiation detection system can include a radiation sensing unit and a control module that is coupled to the controllable radiation source and the photosensors. The control module may control the controllable radiation source and control a power supply coupled to the second photosensor in response to signals from the photosensors. In another aspect, a dynode tap from a photomultiplier tube can be used during calibration. Methods of using the foregoing are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for use in characterizing an energy applicator includes a test fixture assembly. The test fixture assembly includes an interior area defined therein. The system also includes a thermally-sensitive medium disposed in the interior area of the test fixture assembly. The thermally-sensitive medium includes a cut-out portion defining a void in the thermally-sensitive medium. The cut-out portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the energy applicator therein.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing an image. Measurement data is obtained for a coincidence photon event, and a line projector function is generated based on the obtained measurement data. Additional measurement data is obtained for a single photon event, and a cone-surface projector function is generated based on the additional measurement data. An image is reconstructed using the generated line projector function and the generated cone-surface projector function. In another example method for producing an image, a measurement is obtained, and a projector function is generated using the obtained measurement. The generated projector function is modified based on an a priori image. An image is reconstructed using the modified projector function.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the orientation dependence of an automatic drift compensation of a scintillation counter having a rod-shaped scintillator is provided. The cosmic radiation energy spectrum is analyzed above a predefined energy threshold value for the automatic drift compensation. A counting rate of particles having an energy deposition in the scintillator greater than an energy threshold value is controlled to a constant desired counting rate value. The method determines a first integral energy spectrum of the cosmic radiation while the scintillator is upright, and a second integral energy spectrum while the scintillator is in a horizontal position. An intersection point of the first and second integral energy spectrums is detected, and the energy threshold value of the drift compensation is set to the energy threshold value pertaining to the intersection point and the desired counting rate value is set to the counting rate pertaining to the intersection point.

Abstract: An extreme ultraviolet light source device, comprising a collector mirror focusing extreme ultraviolet radiation at a focal point, wherein a porous plate having a plurality of through holes arranged such that only radiation focusing at said focal point passes is provided insertably between said collector mirror and said focal point on an optical axis of said collector mirror, and a detection means is provided to receive radiation having passed through said porous plate and to detect an intensity of said received radiation, and a method for detecting an irradiance distribution in an extreme ultraviolet light source device.

Abstract: A coating material (20) for coating a machine component (10), especially a gas turbine or a part thereof, comprises a mixture of at least a refractory material and an indicator material having an optical emission (e.g. fluorescence) spectrum which varies in response to a physical parameter of the coated component. In a preferred embodiment, the coating consists of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) or yttrium stabilized zirconium. The dopant is preferably a rare earth metal, e.g. Eu, Tb, Dy.

Abstract: A fuel assembly radiation measuring apparatus has a radiation signal generation apparatus including a LaBr3(Ce) scintillator, an A/D converter, a signal processing apparatus, and a data analysis apparatus. The signal processing apparatus has a FPGA and a CPU. ? rays emitted from a fuel assembly disposed in water in a fuel pool enter into the LaBr3(Ce) scintillator that emits scintillator light, then a photomultiplier tube converts the light into an electric signal as a radiation detection signal. A pulse height analyzer of the FPGA inputs a radiation detection signal having a digital waveform generated by the A/D converter and changes the digital waveform into a trapezoid waveform to obtain a maximum peak value. The data analysis apparatus quantifies a target nuclide using a plurality of inputted maximum peak values to obtain burnup.

Abstract: A method for creating a look-up table includes arranging a mask configured to cover a subset of crystals of a plurality of crystals in a scintillation array. The method includes collecting a first set of data from at least one photosensor positioned to receive light generated by the scintillation array. The method further includes realigning the mask in a second position on the scintillation array to cover a second subset of crystals of the plurality of crystals. Further, the method includes collecting a second set of data from the at least one photosensor with the mask aligned on the scintillation array in the second position. Additionally, the method includes creating first and second flood histograms from the first and second sets of collected data, respectively. The method also superimposing the first flood histogram with the second flood histogram to create a superimposed flood histogram.

Abstract: A computerized system for locating a device including a sensor module and a processor. A radioactive source, associated with the device, produces a signal in the form of radioactive disintegrations. The sensor module includes a radiation detector capable of receiving a signal from the source attached to the device. The sensor module produces an output signal. The processor receives output signal(s) and translates output into information relating to a position of source.

Abstract: A method for reducing scintillator afterglow. Methods for reducing afterglow include conditioning a scintillator by exposing it to high flux densities of ionizing radiation. One technique includes operating an x-ray tube at elevated amperage.

Abstract: A radiation detector that includes multiple adjacent modular detector segments. Each segment includes an array of scintillation crystal elements, a light guide arranged adjacent to the array of scintillation crystal elements, and reflectors arranged around a periphery of the segment so that light produced by a scintillation event in the segment is substantially confined to the segment. In one embodiment, each segment is coupled to multiple photosensors, each photosensor receiving light from at least one of the segments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection systems and methods that detect fluorescence, luminescence, chemiluminescence or phosphorescence signatures in the form of an electrical signal conducted and emitted from metallic containing surfaces. Thus, the present invention provides for detecting fluorescence digitally and directly without the need for expensive detectors.

Abstract: Some embodiments can comprise a tomographic imaging data acquisition method(s) and/or systems embodying the method(s). Some methods according to embodiments of the invention include simultaneously reading each photoconverter of a scintillation detector; reading the photoconverters at a frequency sufficient to obtain a plurality of digital sample measurements of a scintillation wave front; and recording the data read from each of the plurality of photoconverters as a function of time.

Abstract: The present invention concerns scintillator compositions comprising gadolinium halide and a dopant. The gadolinium halide and dopant material (e.g., GdI3:Ce) has surprisingly good characteristics including high light output, high gamma-ray stopping efficiency, fast response, low cost, good proportionality, and minimal afterglow, thereby making the material useful for various applications including, for example, gamma-ray spectroscopy, medical imaging, nuclear and high energy physics research, diffraction, non-destructive testing, nuclear treaty verification and safeguards, and geological exploration. The timing resolution of the scintillators of the present invention also provides compositions suitable for use in imaging applications, such as positron emission tomography (e.g., time-of-flight PET) and CT imaging.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for radiation analysis, comprising a pulse discrimination module arranged to receive a signal corresponding to a pulse output by a scintillator and to determine a discrimination value indicative of one or more characteristics of the pulse, and a radiation type determination module for determining a type of radiation responsible for the pulse according to the discrimination value.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting neutron radiation includes a first section with a high neutron absorption capability and a second section with a low neutron absorption capability. The second section includes a gamma ray scintillator having an inorganic material with an attenuation length of less than 10 cm for gamma rays of 5 MeV energy. The material of the first section releases the energy deployed in the first section by neutron capture mainly via gamma radiation. A substantial portion of the first section is covered by the second section. An evaluation device determines the amount of light detected by a light detector for one scintillation event, and the amount is in a known relation to the energy deployed by gamma radiation in the second section. The evaluation device classifies detected radiation as neutrons when the measured total gamma energy Esum is above 2,614 MeV.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting neutron radiation includes a gamma ray scintillator having an inorganic material with an attenuation length Lg of less than 10 cm for gamma rays of 5 MeV energy to provide for high gamma ray stopping power for energetic gamma rays within the -gamma ray scintillator. The gamma ray scintillator includes components with a product of neutron capture cross section and concentration leading to an absorption length Ln for thermal neutrons which is larger than 0.5 cm but smaller than five times the attenuation length Lg for 5 MeV gammas, the gamma ray scintillator having a diameter or edge length of at least 50% of Lg. The apparatus includes an evaluation device to determine the amount of light, detected by a light detector for one scintillation event The evaluation device classifies detected radiation as neutrons when the measured total gamma energy Esum is above 2,614 MeV.

Abstract: A magnetic nanosilicon material comprising silicon nanoparticles impregnated with magnetic atoms. This magnetic nanosilicon material has both luminescent and magnetic properties. In certain embodiments of the invention, magnetic nanosilicon material is encapsulated in a polymer or silica sphere to provide a supermolecule. Supermolecules can be used in applications such as but not limited to detection and imaging.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring radiation levels in vivo in real time. Apparatus and methods include a scintillating material coupled to a retention member.

Abstract: A method for providing information about a spatial gain distribution of a scintillator for a primary radiation is provided which does not require the irradiation of the scintillator with the primary radiation. The method comprises the step of irradiating the scintillator with a secondary radiation for generating an image of a spatial secondary gain distribution of the scintillator for said second radiation. The spatial secondary gain distribution image corresponds to an image of the spatial primary gain distribution for the primary radiation. In an embodiment of the invention, i.e. in an X-ray imaging device where the primary radiation is X-ray radiation, the invention provides for an accurate calibration of the X-ray detector without irradiating the X-ray detector with X-ray radiation. Rather, irradiation with UV radiation as the secondary radiation provides the desired spatial secondary gain distribution image which can be used for calibration.

Abstract: A detector for detecting ionising radiation comprises a scintillator 10 selected to emit light in response to incidence thereon of radiation to be detected, at least one detector 16 for detecting said emitted light, and at least one optical waveguide 12 for transmitting said emitted light to said detector 16. The optical waveguide typically comprises a flexible solid or hollow fibre that can be incorporated into a flexible mat or into a fibre-reinforced structure, so that the detector is integrated therewith.

Abstract: A nuclear medical imaging system employing radiation detection modules with pixelated scintillator crystals includes a scatter detector (46) configured to detect and label scattered and non-scattered detected radiation events stored in a list mode memory (44). Coincident pairs of both scattered and non-scattered radiation events are detected and the corresponding lines of response (LOR) are determined. A first image representation of the examination region can be reconstructed using the LORs corresponding to both scattered and non-scattered detected radiation events to generate a lower resolution image (60) with good noise statistics. A second higher resolution image (62) of all or a subvolume of the examination region can be generated using LORs that correspond to non-scattered detected radiation events. A quantification processor is configured to extract at least one metric, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to radiolabeled pyrimidinone compounds of general structural formula I which are useful as radiotracers for quantitative imaging of PDE10 in mammals.

Abstract: A detector for detecting ionising radiation comprises a scintillator 10 selected to emit light in response to incidence thereon of radiation to be detected, at least one detector 16 for detecting said emitted light, and at least one optical waveguide 12 for transmitting said emitted light to said detector 16. The optical waveguide typically comprises a flexible solid or hollow fibre that can be incorporated into a flexible mat or into a fibre-reinforced structure, so that the detector is integrated therewith.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a microchannel plate having excellent characteristics which enable to attain both high luminance and high resolution at the same time, a gas proportional counter using such a microchannel plate and an imaging device. The microchannel plate according to the present invention comprises a base body provided with a plurality of through holes (13) and having an insulating property, and is arranged in a gas atmosphere mainly containing an inert gas to constitute a proportional counter. The base body has photoelectric converter portions (1a, 1b) formed on at least inner walls of the plurality of through holes (13).

Abstract: A handheld or portable detection system with a high degree of specificity and accuracy, capable of use at small and substantial standoff distances (e.g., greater than 12 inches) is utilized to identify specific substances and mixtures thereof in order to provide information to officials for identification purposes and assists in determinations related to the legality, hazardous nature and/or disposition decision of such substance(s). The system uses a synchronous detector and visible light filter to enhance detection capabilities.

Abstract: A combined method for detecting and positioning high energy radiation, belonging to the radiation detection and imaging technology field, comprises: arranging scintillation crystals for capturing high energy radiation into a regular array; assembling a plurality of PMTs with different sizes into a combined array where smaller PMT is located at the center of larger PMTs; forming a combined high energy radiation detector by bonding the scintillation crystal array and the combined PMT array with an optical adhesive; when a high energy gamma ray is incident into the scintillation crystal array, scintillation light is generated and amplified by the combined PMT array into electrical pulse signals; then obtaining the position coordinates, energy and time of the high energy gamma ray by processing the electrical pulse signals. The method provides more effective and uniform high-energy radiation detection, has higher spatial and energy resolution, and simultaneously has high-speed response.

Abstract: A radiometric measuring device for measuring a physical, measured variable, especially a fill level or a density, of a fill substance located in a container, and/or for monitoring an exceeding or subceeding of a predetermined limit value for the physical, measured variable, comprising: a radioactive radiator, which, during operation, sends radioactive radiation through the container; and a detector arranged on a side of the container lying opposite the radiator and serving to receive a radiation intensity penetrating through the container, dependent on the physical, measured variable, and to convert such into an electrical output signal. With this measuring device, in an extremely flexibly predeterminable region to be metrologically registered by the detector, a very exact measuring of the radiation intensity can be put into practice.

Abstract: In a flat image detector and method for the generation of medical digital images, the flat image detector is in particular suitable for a medical X-ray device and equipped with at least one active matrix (MX, MX2) made up of pixel-readout units, wherein the light generated in the scintillator (SZ) can be read out on both sides in the direction of the incoming X-ray radiation (R) in front of and behind the scintillator, with the aid of such an active matrix in each case arranged on each side of the scintillator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detection and monitoring of radiation exposure are disclosed, utilising photoexcitable storage phosphors and reading apparatus in a number of configurations for use in homeland security, emergency response and medical fields. In one form, apparatus comprises a portable dosimeter device adapted to receive and multiple phosphor elements to allow population screening in event of mass exposure. Further forms for medical use include insertable probes and adhesive phosphor patches for use in detecting radiation exposure in medical therapy or imaging.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for detecting radiation including x-ray, gamma ray, and particle radiation for nuclear medicine, radiographic imaging, material composition analysis, high energy physics, container inspection, mine detection and astronomy. The invention provides detection systems employing one or more detector modules comprising edge-on scintillator detectors with sub-aperture resolution (SAR) capability employed, e.g., in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy. The invention also provides edge-on imaging probe detectors for use in nuclear medicine, such as radiation therapy portal imaging, or for use in nuclear remediation, mine detection, container inspection, and high energy physics and astronomy.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a scintillator array (202) and a digital photomultiplier array (204). A photon counting channel (212), an integrating channel (210), and a moment generating channel (214) process the output signal of the digital photomultiplier array (204). A reconstructor (122) spectrally resolves the first, the second and the third output signals. In one embodiment, a controller (232) activates the photon counting channel (212) to process the digital signal only if a radiation flux is below a predetermined threshold. An imaging system includes at least one direct conversion layer (302) and at least two scintillator layers (304) and corresponding photosensors (306). A photon counting channel (212) processes an output of the at least one direct conversion layer (302), and an integrating channel (210) and a moment generating channel (214) process respective outputs of the photosensors (306). A reconstructor (122) spectrally resolves the first, the second and the third output signals.

Abstract: Time-of-flight (TOF) clinical data collected during a PET scan are very sparse and have significant size. These data undergo TOF axial rebinning and azimuthal mashing if histogrammed data-based reconstruction algorithms are used. In a clinical environment, TOF compression is typically performed by the hardware rebinner. Normalization data, acquired on a regular basis and used for estimation of some norm components, are compressed by the hardware rebinner in a similar manner. This disclosure presents simple update iterative algorithms for crystal efficiencies norm component estimation from TOF compressed normalization data. Previously known methods are not directly applicable since the compression procedure significantly complicates normalization data model equations. The iterative algorithms presented herein have advantages of being easily adapted to any acquisition geometry, and of allowing estimation of parameters at crystal level when a number of crystals is relatively small.

Abstract: A charged particle beam device includes an electron source structured to generate an electron beam, the electron source being coupled to an electron column that at least partially houses a system structured to direct the electron beam toward a specimen positioned in a sample chamber to which the electron column is coupled, and an electron detector. The electron detector includes one or more assemblies positioned within the electron column or the sample chamber, each of the assemblies including an SiPM and a scintillator directly connected face-to-face to an active light sensing surface of the SiPM without a light transporting device being positioned in between the scintillator and the SiPM.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for optimizing an amount of radiation dose and acquisition time in cardiac Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging. The apparatus and method include providing an organ, acquiring images of the organ at projected views. Then a projected view that projects the organ as an annulus is selected; a region of interest (ROI) is also selected in the projected view, wherein the ROI is in a lateral wall of the organ. An average count in the ROI is determined; and an image quality of a reconstructed image based on the average count is predicted.

Abstract: A data processing unit for an integrated magnetic resonance (MR) and positron emission tomography (PET) system includes an RF shield housing, a first input port in the RF shield housing configured to receive a PET detector signal, a first filter disposed in the RF shield housing, in communication with the first input port, and configured to remove MR noise from the PET detector signal, a second input port in the RF shield housing configured to receive DC power, a second filter disposed in the RF shield housing, in communication with the second input port, and configured to remove the MR noise from the DC power, and a signal processing circuit disposed in the RF shield housing and powered by the DC power, the signal processing circuit including an analog-to-digital converter to digitize the PET detector signal.

Abstract: PET signals are amplified in a hybrid PET/MR system. An amplifier structure is provided for operation in the magnetic field of the MR magnets. By filtering to remove signals at the MR frequency (e.g., about 123 MHz) as part of the amplification circuit, the amplification circuit may be positioned within the RF cabin, within the magnetic field, and even within a same housing as the MR magnets. MR interference may be reduced by staged amplification. The filtering may be bi-directional, such as using parallel and series traps. Digitization of the PET signals may be provided within the magnetic field with no or little interference with MR operation.

Abstract: A dental radiology apparatus having: an intraoral sensor comprising a detector that includes an active pixel array produced using biCMOS technology and converting a received x-ray into at least one analog electrical output signal; an electronic module encapsulated in a case and which has at least one detector activation device, the module being linked to the sensor by a wire link for the transmission to said sensor of a detector activation signal generated in the module and for the transmission to the module of said at least one analog electrical output signal, the module having analog-digital means for converting said at least one analog electrical output signal into at least one digital output signal; and a remote processing and display unit of said at least one digital output signal which is linked to the electronic module by a wire link intended to ensure the transmission to the unit of said at least one digital output signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods where an electron focusing device can be combined with a scintillation detector to better focus the electrons generated by a light sensing device. The scintillation detector can include a scintillation crystal that is covered by an inner light-reflecting coating layer where the scintillation crystal may emit photons due to measurement radiation(s). The light sensing device can include a photomultiplier that may receive the photons emitted by the scintillation crystal and convert them into the electrons generated. The electron focusing device can include a metal ring magnet or one or more conducting coils encircling the scintillation crystal that may create a magnetic field so as to focus the electrons generated by the light sensing device.

Abstract: An imaging detector includes processing electronics with a thermal coefficient about equal to a negative of a summation of thermal coefficients of a photosensor array and a scintillator array of the detector. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter that alternately converts first charge corresponding to impinging radiation into a first signal and second charge corresponding to decaying charge into a second signal and a logic unit that corrects the first signal based on the second signal. In another instance, the imaging detector includes an A/D converter, an integrator offset voltage signal determiner, and a logic unit, wherein the determiner induces an electrical current via an off-set voltage, the A/D converter measures the current, and the logic unit calculates a resistance of the photosensor array based on the reference voltage and the measured current.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided, including a scintillator configured to convert ionizing radiation into photons, and a photo detector including at least one graphene layer configured to detect said photons. In accordance with another example embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided, including receiving and detecting photons by a photo detector from a scintillator, said photo detector including at least one graphene layer configured to detect said photons, and transmitting information indicative of said detected photons from said apparatus to an external device.

Abstract: A light transmitting element such as a scintillating element (50) or an optic fiber (50?) has side surfaces coated with a metamaterial (62) which has an index of refraction less than 1 and preferably close to zero to light transmitted in the light transmitting element. A photonic crystal (80) or metamaterial layer optically couples a light output face of the light transmitting element with a light sensitive element (52), such as a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM). A thin metal layer (64) blocks optical communication between adjacent scintillating elements (50) in a radiation detector (22), such as a radiation detector of a nuclear imaging system (10).

Abstract: New metal-organic materials are useful as scintillators and have the chemical formula LX3(CH3OH)4 where L is Y, Sc, or a lanthanide element, and X is a halogen element. An example of the scintillator materials is CeCl3(CH3OH)4.

Abstract: A fiber-optic scintillator radiation detector includes a multitude of optical fibers that each include an optical core. The optical cores are spaced apart from one another by an interposer material. In various embodiments, the interposer material has an average atomic number less than 13 and a density greater than 1.3 g/cm3.

Abstract: A scintillator material according to one embodiment includes a bismuth-loaded aromatic polymer having an energy resolution at 662 keV of less than about 10%. A scintillator material according to another embodiment includes a bismuth-loaded aromatic polymer having a fluor incorporated therewith and an energy resolution at 662 keV of less than about 10%. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A nuclear imaging system including a PET scanner having a bore sized no larger than necessary to accommodate a human head; and a wheel-mounted scanner gantry for supporting the PET scanner, the wheel-mounted scanner gantry having a width small enough to fit through a standard doorway.

Abstract: A method of processing positron emission tomography (PET) information obtained from a PET detector having a plurality of detector regions, each detector region having at least one detector module and a corresponding regional collector, the method including the steps of receiving PET event information for a single PET event, the PET event information including energy information and crystal position information of the single PET event; receiving non-detector event information; generating an event list that includes (1) a PET event entry, the PET event entry including a fine time stamp, the energy information, and the crystal position information, and (2) a non-detector event entry that includes the received non-detector event information; and transmitting the generated event list to a computer for off-line processing.