Abstract: An article can include a body including a fluorescent material and a wavelength shifting fiber. In an embodiment, the fiber can have a cross-sectional dimension of at least 1.5 mm, and outer dimensions of the body define a volume of at least 5 liters. In another embodiment, the article can include wavelength shifting fibers organized in at least two rows and at least columns. In another aspect, a radiation detector can include a body including a fluorescent material; a wavelength shifting fiber having a cross-sectional area; and a photosensor including a light-receiving surface having a light-receiving area of at least 9 mm2, wherein the cross-sectional area of the wavelength shifting fiber is at least 25% of the light-receiving area. The article and radiation detector are well suited for relatively large radiation detectors that have bodies with relatively short attenuation lengths.

Abstract: A scintillation device can include a scintillator and a pliable moisture barrier encapsulating the scintillator. The moisture barrier can have a low vapor transmission rate and prevent significant water gain on or near the scintillator.

Abstract: A radiation detector can include both an upper-level and a low-level discriminator. Pulses with amplitudes below a lower pre-selected value will be discarded as noise by the low-level discriminator. Only pulses with amplitudes at or above the lower pre-selected amplitude but at or below a second higher pre-selected value will be subjected to PSD to distinguish between pulses corresponding to neutrons and pulses corresponding to gamma rays. Pulses with amplitudes above the second higher pre-selected value of the upper-level discriminator will be counted as neutron or ionic particle pulses without subjecting these pulses to any PSD.

Abstract: A radiation sensor can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first scintillation material to produce first light in response to receiving a first targeted radiation, and the second layer can include a second scintillation material to produce second light in response to receiving a second targeted radiation. The first scintillation material can be different from the second scintillation material, and the first targeted radiation can be different from the second targeted radiation. The first layer can be configured to receive and transmit the second light. In an embodiment, the radiation sensor can be part of a radiation detection system that includes a photosensor that can produce an electronic pulse in response to the first and second lights. A method of detecting radiation can include using the radiation detection system to distinguish different radiations by differences in pulse shape.

Abstract: An optical fiber can include a polymer and a scintillation quencher. The optical fiber can be a member of a radiation sensor or radiation detecting system. The scintillation quencher can include a UV-absorber or a scintillation resistant material. In one embodiment, the radiation sensor includes a scintillator that is capable of generating a first radiation having a wavelength of at least about 420 nm; and a scintillation quencher is capable of absorbing a second radiation having a wavelength of less than about 420 nm. The optical fiber including a scintillation quencher provides for a method to detect neutrons in a radiation detecting system.

Abstract: A detection device includes a photon sensor and a scintillator device optically coupled to the photon sensor. The scintillator device includes a scintillator material having a first refractive index, a first refractive material in a first annular space around the scintillator material, and a second refractive material in a second annular space around the first annular space. The first refractive material has a second refractive index. The second refractive index is less than the first refractive index. The second refractive material has a third refractive index. The third refractive index is less than the second refractive index.

Abstract: An optical fiber can include a polymer and a scintillation quencher. The optical fiber can be a member of a radiation sensor or radiation detecting system. The scintillation quencher can include a UV-absorber or a scintillation resistant material. In one embodiment, the radiation sensor includes a scintillator that is capable of generating a first radiation having a wavelength of at least about 420 nm; and a scintillation quencher is capable of absorbing a second radiation having a wavelength of less than about 420 nm. The optical fiber including a scintillation quencher provides for a method to detect neutrons in a radiation detecting system.

Abstract: A radiation sensor can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first scintillation material to produce first light in response to receiving a first targeted radiation, and the second layer can include a second scintillation material to produce second light in response to receiving a second targeted radiation. The first scintillation material can be different from the second scintillation material, and the first targeted radiation can be different from the second targeted radiation. The first layer can be configured to receive and transmit the second light. In an embodiment, the radiation sensor can be part of a radiation detection system that includes a photosensor that can produce an electronic pulse in response to the first and second lights. A method of detecting radiation can include using the radiation detection system to distinguish different radiations by differences in pulse shape.

Abstract: An optical fiber can include a polymer and a scintillation quencher. The optical fiber can be a member of a radiation sensor or radiation detecting system. The scintillation quencher can include a UV-absorber or a scintillation resistant material. In one embodiment, the radiation sensor includes a scintillator that is capable of generating a first radiation having a wavelength of at least about 420 nm; and a scintillation quencher is capable of absorbing a second radiation having a wavelength of less than about 420 nm. The optical fiber including a scintillation quencher provides for a method to detect neutrons in a radiation detecting system.

Abstract: A radiation sensor can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first scintillation material to produce first light in response to receiving a first targeted radiation, and the second layer can include a second scintillation material to produce second light in response to receiving a second targeted radiation. The first scintillation material can be different from the second scintillation material, and the first targeted radiation can be different from the second targeted radiation. The first layer can be configured to receive and transmit the second light. In an embodiment, the radiation sensor can be part of a radiation detection system that includes a photosensor that can produce an electronic pulse in response to the first and second lights. A method of detecting radiation can include using the radiation detection system to distinguish different radiations by differences in pulse shape.

Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a first material to produce a first light in response to receiving a target radiation. The radiation detection system can also include a second material to propagate a second light to a first end of the second material and to a second end of the second material, in response to receiving the first light. The radiation detection system can also include a reflector coupled to the first end of the second material. In an embodiment, the reflector can reflect the second light, so that the reflected second light can be received by a photosensor coupled to a second end of the second material.

Abstract: An optical fiber can include a polymer and a scintillation quencher. The optical fiber can be a member of a radiation sensor or radiation detecting system. The scintillation quencher can include a UV-absorber or a scintillation resistant material. In one embodiment, the radiation sensor includes a scintillator that is capable of generating a first radiation having a wavelength of at least about 420 nm; and a scintillation quencher is capable of absorbing a second radiation having a wavelength of less than about 420 nm. The optical fiber including a scintillation quencher provides for a method to detect neutrons in a radiation detecting system.

Abstract: A detection device includes a photon sensor and a scintillator device optically coupled to the photon sensor. The scintillator device includes a scintillator material having a first refractive index, a first refractive material in a first annular space around the scintillator material, and a second refractive material in a second annular space around the first annular space. The first refractive material has a second refractive index. The second refractive index is less than the first refractive index. The second refractive material has a third refractive index. The third refractive index is less than the second refractive index.

Abstract: A radiation sensor can include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer can include a first scintillation material to produce first light in response to receiving a first targeted radiation, and the second layer can include a second scintillation material to produce second light in response to receiving a second targeted radiation. The first scintillation material can be different from the second scintillation material, and the first targeted radiation can be different from the second targeted radiation. The first layer can be configured to receive and transmit the second light. In an embodiment, the radiation sensor can be part of a radiation detection system that includes a photosensor that can produce an electronic pulse in response to the first and second lights. A method of detecting radiation can include using the radiation detection system to distinguish different radiations by differences in pulse shape.

Abstract: A radiation detector can include a scintillating material to produce scintillation light in response to receiving neutrons, gamma radiation, potentially other targeted radiation, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the detector converts scintillating light to an electrical pulse and analyzes the shape of the electrical pulse to determine whether neutrons, gamma rays, or potentially other targeted radiation are detected. The detector can be configured to distinguish between neutrons and gamma rays. The scintillating material can extend over a length greater than approximately 1.1 meters. In an embodiment, the radiation detector can be used near a passageway to detect radioactive material passing through the passageway. More particularly, the radiation detector can be used to detect the radioactive material within a vehicle passing through the passageway.

Abstract: A radiation detection system can include a first material to produce a first light in response to receiving a target radiation. The radiation detection system can also include a second material to propagate a second light to a first end of the second material and to a second end of the second material, in response to receiving the first light. The radiation detection system can also include a reflector coupled to the first end of the second material. In an embodiment, the reflector can reflect the second light, so that the reflected second light can be received by a photosensor coupled to a second end of the second material.