Abstract: A scintillation crystal can include a sodium halide that is co-doped with thallium and another element. In an embodiment, the scintillation crystal can include NaX:Tl, Me, wherein X represents a halogen, and Me represents a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, a rare earth element, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the scintillation crystal has a property including, for radiation in a range of 300 nm to 700 nm, an emission maximum at a wavelength no greater than 430 nm; or an energy resolution less than 6.4% when measured at 662 keV, 22° C., and an integration time of 1 microsecond. In another embodiment, the co-dopant can be Sr or Ca. The scintillation crystal can have lower energy resolution, better proportionality, a shorter pulse decay time, or any combination thereof as compared to the sodium halide that is doped with only thallium.

Abstract: A scintillation crystal can include a sodium halide that is co-doped with thallium and another element. In an embodiment, the scintillation crystal can include NaX:Tl, Me, wherein X represents a halogen, and Me represents a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, a rare earth element, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the scintillation crystal has a property including, for radiation in a range of 300 nm to 700 nm, an emission maximum at a wavelength no greater than 430 nm; or an energy resolution less than 6.4% when measured at 662 keV, 22° C., and an integration time of 1 microsecond. In another embodiment, the co-dopant can be Sr or Ca. The scintillation crystal can have lower energy resolution, better proportionality, a shorter pulse decay time, or any combination thereof as compared to the sodium halide that is doped with only thallium.

Abstract: A scintillation crystal can include a sodium halide that is co-doped with thallium and another element. In an embodiment, the scintillation crystal can include NaX:Tl, Me, wherein X represents a halogen, and Me represents a Group 1 element, a Group 2 element, a rare earth element, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the scintillation crystal has a property including, for radiation in a range of 300 nm to 700 nm, an emission maximum at a wavelength no greater than 430 nm; or an energy resolution less than 6.4% when measured at 662 keV, 22° C., and an integration time of 1 microsecond. In another embodiment, the co-dopant can be Sr or Ca. The scintillation crystal can have lower energy resolution, better proportionality, a shorter pulse decay time, or any combination thereof as compared to the sodium halide that is doped with only thallium.

Abstract: A feed system for a crystal growth apparatus can include a deadsorption unit and a tube. In an embodiment, the deadsorption unit can deadsorb an impurity from a material used to form a crystal. The tube can be fluidly coupled to the deadsorption unit and the crystal growth apparatus to transfer the material from a lower point to a higher point. In another embodiment, any finite number of deadsorption units may be coupled to any finite number of crystal growth apparatuses. In a further embodiment, a crystal growth system can include the feed system and a crystal growth apparatus, wherein the feed system can continuously provide crystal-forming material to the crystal growth apparatus as a crystal is being formed.

Abstract: A method can include deadsorbing an impurity from an initial material to form a deadsorbed material, melting the deadsorbed material to form a melt within the crucible, and growing a crystal from the melt. In an embodiment, growing is performed at a growth rate that is at least 1.1 times a growth rate of a different crystal formed from a melt of the initial material using a same crystal growth technique, having a same cross-sectional shape, size, and crystal orientation, and a same haze level. In another embodiment, the method can include crushing an initial material to reduce closed porosity before or during deadsorbing impurities.

Abstract: A shell for a radiation sensor comprising a body defining an aperture adapted to receive a radiation sensing component; and a plurality of fins outwardly extending from the body, wherein an axial distance between a first pair of adjacent fins is different from an axial distance between a second pair of adjacent fins.

Abstract: A personal radiation dosimeter may comprise a housing that is substantially light-impermeable. The housing contains a radiation energy sensitive component (RESC) that is transported by a user. A reader has ingress and egress for the housing, and an internal stimulation light to photo-stimulate the RESC. An internal photosensor senses photons from the RESC after photo-stimulation and generates a signal. The photosensor may convert and amplify the RESC signal into a signal corresponding to the amount of radiation. A processing circuit may be used to assess an amount of radiation incident on the RESC based on the signal. In addition, the reader may contain a reset light to reset the RESC for reuse after the amount of radiation is detected.

Abstract: A transparent body can include a layer of a ceramic material and a compound. The compound can fill a defect extending from an edge of the layer, seal the edge, or both. In an embodiment, the edge is ground and is not polished. The compound can help to keep defects from propagating, improve fracture toughness, and reduce the likelihood that a crack will form during subsequent fabrication or use of the transparent body. Thus, the transparent body can be more scratch resistant than glass, such as cover glass, and still have acceptable resistance to cracking. The transparent body can be formed using a method where a compound precursor solution is applied to the edge, and the compound precursor solution is reacted or cured to form the compound.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus can include a radiation sensor having a corresponding radiation sensing region, and a photosensor that is optically couple to the radiation sensor. The radiation sensing region can include optical fibers. In an embodiment, some or all of the optical fibers can be coated. The coating can include a phosphorescent material. In an embodiment, the optical fibers can be arranged in a manner such that optical substrates have substantially no bends.

Abstract: An image storage device includes a substrate including a plurality of voids and a septum disposed between the voids, and cells including a storage phosphor powder within the voids. In an embodiment, a computed radiography apparatus includes an image storage device, a stimulating radiation device to generate stimulating radiation, and a photosensor to detect light. In another embodiment, a method of forming an image storage device includes providing a patterned substrate that includes a plurality of voids and a septum disposed between the voids, adding a storage phosphor powder into the voids of the patterned substrate to form cells, and applying a topcoat layer that is substantially free of the storage phosphor powder.

Abstract: A photosensor testing apparatus can be used to test photosensors. A light module can produce simulating light that corresponds to scintillating light of a scintillator or a derivative of the scintillating light. A photosensor under test can produce an output that can be analyzed. A particular photosensor can be determined to have a higher quantum efficiency, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, or another performance criterion and selected for use in a radiation detection apparatus having the scintillator that can produce the scintillating light. The photosensor testing apparatus can provide a more accurate way of selecting a photosensor as compared to only analyzing an emission spectrum and data sheets and other information for the photosensors under consideration.

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 radiation detection apparatus can include a semi-cylindrical radiation sensor having a corresponding radiation sensing region, and a photosensor that is optically coupled to the radiation sensor.

Abstract: A charge calibrator for simulating the output of a scintillation detector. The calibrator includes a processor for executing a Gaussian random number generator algorithm to produce an output comprising a Gaussian random number distribution having at least one characteristic established in response to a user input.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation detection system can include a self-quenching sensing element having a substantially sealed enclosure containing a plurality of gases. The plurality of gases can include an ionizing gas to ionize in response to receiving a particle of ionizing radiation. The plurality of gases can also include a halogen quenching gas. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of gases can include an oxygen-containing gas in an amount of at least approximately 5% by pressure of a total pressure of the plurality of gases. In another particular embodiment, the partial pressure of the oxygen-containing gas can be from approximately 2666 Pa to approximately 16000 Pa. In another embodiment, the radiation detection system can include an anode having a composition that is more resistant to erosion by gasses within the sensing element.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation detection system can include a self-quenching sensing element having a substantially sealed enclosure containing a plurality of gases. The plurality of gases can include an ionizing gas to ionize in response to receiving a particle of ionizing radiation. The plurality of gases can also include a halogen quenching gas. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of gases can include an oxygen-containing gas in an amount of at least approximately 5% by pressure of a total pressure of the plurality of gases. In another particular embodiment, the partial pressure of the oxygen-containing gas can be from approximately 2666 Pa to approximately 16000 Pa. In another embodiment, the radiation detection system can include an anode having a composition that is more resistant to erosion by gasses within the sensing element.

Abstract: A photosensor testing apparatus can be used to test photosensors. A light module can produce simulating light that corresponds to scintillating light of a scintillator or a derivative of the scintillating light. A photosensor under test can produce an output that can be analyzed. A particular photosensor can be determined to have a higher quantum efficiency, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, or another performance criterion and selected for use in a radiation detection apparatus having the scintillator that can produce the scintillating light. The photosensor testing apparatus can provide a more accurate way of selecting a photosensor as compared to only analyzing an emission spectrum and data sheets and other information for the photosensors under consideration.

Abstract: A radiation detection apparatus can include a semi-cylindrical radiation sensor having a corresponding radiation sensing region, and a photosensor that is optically coupled to the radiation sensor.

Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a radiation detector to detect radiation and an audio output device to produce audible sounds. The detected radiation can correspond to radiation information including energy information and energy intensity information. In an embodiment, the audio output device can produce an audio spectrum in a scanning mode, and in another embodiment, the audio output device can produce sounds at corresponding sound repetition rates depending on the energy intensity of the detected radiation. A method of using a radiation detection system can include placing an object near a radiation detector, generating a radiation signal corresponding to radiation emitting from the object, and analyzing the radiation signal to generate radiation information including energy information and energy intensity information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a scintillation article includes a detector housing having a window cavity and a window disposed within the window cavity. The window cavity defining a window opening at an external surface of the housing that has a greater width than a width of the window, and wherein a surface of the window is directly bonded to an interior surface of the detector housing at a bond joint comprising a diffusion bond region.