In-flight Energy Calibration of the GECAM Gamma-ray Detectors

The Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)mission is designed to monitor the Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs)associated with gravitational waves and other high-energy transient sources.The mission consists of two microsatellites which are planned to operate at the opposite sides of the Earth.Each GECAM satellite could detect and localize GRBs in about 8 keV-5 MeV with its 25 Gamma-Ray Detectors(GRDs).In this work,we report the in-flight energy calibration of GRDs using the characteristic gamma-ray lines in the background spectra,and show their performance evolution during the commissioning phase.Besides,a preliminary cross-calibration of energy response with Fermi GBM data is also presented,validating the energy response of GRDs.

Gas microchannel plate-pixel detector for X-ray polarimetry

POLAR-2 is a gamma-ray burst(GRB)polarimeter that is designed to study the polarization in GRB radiation emissions,aiming to improve our knowledge of related mechanisms.POLAR-2 is expected to utilize an on-board polarimeter that is sensitive to soft X-rays(2-10 keV),called low-energy polarization detector.We have developed a new soft X-ray polari-zation detector prototype based on gas microchannel plates(GMCPs)and pixel chips(Topmetal).The GMCPs have bulk resistance,which prevents charging-up effects and ensures gain stability during operation.The detector is composed of low outgassing materials and is gas-sealed using a laser welding technique,ensuring long-term stability.A modulation factor of 41.28%±0.64% is obtained for a 4.5 keV polarized X-ray beam.A residual modulation of 1.96%±0.58% at 5.9 keV is observed for the entire sensitive area.

Compact CubeSat Gamma-ray detector for GRID mission

Gamma-Ray Integrated Detectors(GRID)mis-sion is a student project designed to use multiple gamma-ray detectors carried by nanosatellites(CubeSats),forming a full-time all-sky gamma-ray detection network that monitors the transient gamma-ray sky in the multi-mes-senger astronomy era.A compact CubeSat gamma-ray detector,including its hardware and firmware,was designed and implemented for the mission.The detector employs four Gd 2 Al 2 Ga 3 O 12:Ce(GAGG:Ce)scintillators coupled with four silicon photomultiplier(SiPM)arrays to achieve a high gamma-ray detection efficiency between 10 keV and 2 MeV with low power and small dimensions.The first detector designed by the undergraduate student team onboard a commercial CubeSat was launched into a Sun-synchronous orbit on October 29,2018.The detector was in a normal observation state and accumulated data for approximately one month after on-orbit functional and performance tests,which were conducted in 2019.

Study of CdZnTeSe Gamma-Ray Detector under Various Bias Voltages

Cadmium zinc telluride selenide (CdZnTeSe) is a new semiconductor material for gamma-ray detection and spectroscopy applications at room temperature. It has very high crystal quality compared to similar materials such as cadmium telluride and cadmium zinc telluride. The consistency of peak position in radiation detection devices is important to practical applications. In this paper, we have characterized a CdZnTeSe planar detector for bias voltages in the range of -20 V to -200 V and amplifier shaping time of 2, 3 and 6 μs. The peak position of the 59.6-keV gamma line of 241Am becomes more stable as the absolute value of the applied voltage increases. The best energy resolution of 8.5% was obtained for the 59.6-keV gamma peak at -160 V bias voltage and 3-μs shaping time. The energy resolution was relatively stable in the -120 V to -200 V range for a 6-μs shaping time. Future work will be focused on the study of the peak position and energy resolution over time.

类蜂窝结构高灵敏度裂变室探测器模拟仿真研究

目前的反应堆功率监测系统要求使用单一裂变电离室在适应反应堆堆芯的高γ辐射场下的中子注量率测量的同时可以以高灵敏度的脉冲工作模式适应反应堆启动阶段的低中子注量率情况下的测量。然而,由于裂变碎片在易裂变物质涂层中的射程较短,具有较强的自吸收效应,因此无法通过增大裂变材料涂层厚度提升探测器的灵敏度。本文提出了一种类蜂窝结构的圆柱栅格裂变室探测器,将探测器比表面积提高为普通圆柱电离室的3倍,从而在不增加裂变物质涂层厚度的情况下,大幅度增加了裂变物质的有效质量,实现了高的中子灵敏度。基于Geant4的蒙特卡罗模拟表明21片栅格板和2.5mg/cm^(2)的^(235)U涂层的裂变电离室可以实现3cps/nv的热中子探测灵敏度。使用Garfield++对探测器内电离电子的迁移和扩散的仿真结果表明,使用Ar/CO_(2)(96/4)作为工作气体可以平衡电离电子的漂移速度和横向扩散,并实现极间电压为725V时96.5%的电子迁移效率。本文的模拟和仿真结果表明,该类蜂窝结构裂变电离室在脉冲模式下具有高的热中子灵敏度,有希望适应反应堆从启动到满功率运行的宽量程的功率监测。

Detector performance of the Gamma-ray Transient Monitor onboard DRO-A satellite

The Gamma-ray Transient Monitor(GTM) is an all-sky monitor onboard the Distant Retrograde Orbit-A(DRO-A) satellite with the scientific objective of detecting gamma-ray transients ranging from 20 ke V to 1 MeV. The GTM was equipped with five Gamma-ray Transient Probe(GTP) detector modules utilizing a NaI(Tl) scintillator coupled with a SiPM array. To reduce the SiPM noise, GTP uses a dedicated dual-channel coincident readout design. In this work, we first studied the impact of different coincidence times on the detection efficiency and ultimately selected a 0.5 μs time coincidence window for offline data processing. To test the performance of the GTPs and validate the Monte-Carlo-simulated energy response, we conducted comprehensive ground calibration tests using the Hard X-ray Calibration Facility(HXCF) and radioactive sources, including the energy response, detection efficiency, spatial response, bias-voltage response, and temperature dependence. We extensively present the ground calibration results and validate the design and mass model of the GTP detector, thus providing the foundation for in-flight observations and scientific data analysis.

The large-scale modular BGO detection array(LAMBDA)design and test

Total absorption gamma-ray spectroscopy(TAGS)is a powerful tool for measuring complexγ transitions,which has been effectively applied to the study of reactor decay heat.This paper presents the design of a new TAGS detector,the large-scale modular BGO detection array(LAMBDA),tailored for measuringβ-decay intensity distributions of fission products.The modular design allows the LAMBDA detectors to be assembled in various configurations.The final version of LAMBDA consists of 102 identical 60 mm×60 mm×120 mm BGO crystals and exhibits a high full-energy peak efficiency exceeding 80%at 0.5∼8 MeV based on a Monte Carlo simulation.Currently,approximately half of the LAMBDA modules have been manufactured.Tests usingγ-ray sources and nuclear reactions demonstrated favorable energy resolution,energy linearity,and efficiency uniformity across the modules.Forty-eight modules have been integrated into the prototype LAMBDA-I.The capability of LAMBDA-I inβ-delayed-decay experiments was evaluated by commissioning measurements using the ^(152)Eu source.

Determination of Alpha Particles Concentration in Toothpaste Using CR-39 Track Detector

The present study focuses on determination of alpha particles concentration in different samples of toothpaste by using nuclear track detector (CR-39). Nine samples of toothpaste have been collected from local Iraqi markets in Babylon Province. These samples have been chosen according to their most commonly use in Babylon Province. The samples were kept with CR-39 detector for six weeks period and then etched by 6.25 N of NaOH solution at temperature of 60°C for 5 hours. The results of the present work show that Sample 3 (Frosty) found to have a high alpha concentration about four times compared with Sample 4 (Aquafresh) and about 2 - 3 times compared with other samples.

Uranium Concentrations in Surface Soil Samples for Selected Regionsin AI-Anbar Governorate （Iraq） Using CR-39 Track Detector

In the present work, uranium concentrations were measured in twenty surface soil samples forselected regions in AI-Anbargovernorate using fission track etch technique, CR-39 track detector was used for registration of induced fission tracks. The results show that, the uranium concentrations ranged from 4.61 ppm, 56.93 Bq/kg （AL-Falluja AL-Jolan District） to 1.81 ppm 22.35 Bq/kg （Anah）with an average 3.42±0.79 ppm, 41.76±9.04 Bq/kg. The present results have shown that the uranium concentrations in the studied surface soil samples were less than the allowed limit 11.7 ppm recommended by UNSCEAR, 1993.

Evaluation of Major Factors Affecting Spatial Resolution of Gamma-Rays Camera

The spatial resolution of the gamma-rays camera was measured on a60Co gamma-rays source with edge method. The gamma-rays camera is consisting with rays-fluorescence convertor, optical imaging system, MCP image intensifier, CCD camera, electronic control system and other devices, and is mainly used in the image diagnostics of the intense pulse radiation sources [1]. Due to the relatively big quantum detective efficiency (DQE) and quantum gain of the gamma-rays, etc., the experimental data were processed by averaging multiple images and fitting curves. According to the experimental results, the spatial resolution MTF (modulation transfer function) at the 10% intensity was about 2lp/mm. Meanwhile, because of the relatively big dispersion effects of the fluorescence transmissions in the scintillator and the optical imaging system, the maximal single-noise ratio (SNR) of the camera was found to be about 5:1. In addition, the spatial resolution of the camera was measured with pulse X-rays with 0.3MeV in average energy and exclusion of the effects of secondary electrons from consideration. Accordingly, the spatial resolution MTF at the 10% intensity was about 5lp/mm. This could be an additional evidence to verify the effects of secondary electrons induced by the 1.25MeV gamma-rays in the scintillator upon the spatial resolution. Based on our analysis, the dispersion sizes of the secondary electrons in the scintillator are about 0.4mm-0.6mm. Comparatively, as indicated by the detailed analysis of the spatial resolutions of the MCP image intensifier and CCD devices, both of them have little effect on the spatial resolution of the gamma-rays camera that could be well neglected.

Characterization of CdZnTeSe Nuclear Detector Chemically Etched in Bromine Methanol

Semiconductor nuclear radiation detectors made from tertiary and quaternary compounds of cadmium telluride (CdTe) can operate at room temperature without cryogenic cooling. One of such materials that have become of great interest is cadmium zinc telluride selenide (CdZnTeSe). Compared to other CdTe-based materials, such as cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe), CdZnTeSe can be grown with much less Te inclusions and sub-grain boundary networks. Chemical etching is often used to smoothen wafer surfaces during detector fabrication. This paper presents the characterization of CdZnTeSe that is chemically etched using bromine methanol solution. Infrared imaging shows that the wafer has no sub-grain boundary networks that often limit detector performance. The current-voltage (I-V) characterization experiment gave a resistivity of 4.6 × 1010 Ω-cm for the sample. The I-V curve was linear in the ±10 to ±50 volts range. An energy resolution of 7.2% was recorded at 100 V for the 59.6-keV gamma line of 241Am.

Direct Analytical Method to Calculate Photopeak Efficiency and Photopeak Attenuation Coefficient of NaI(Tl) Well-Type Detector

In this paper full-energy peak (photopeak) efficiency and photopeak attenuation coefficient of 3'' × 3'' NaI(Tl) well-type scintillation detector were calculated using gamma-rayisotropic radiating point sources (with photon energy: 0.245, 0.344, 0.662, 0.779, 0.964, 1.1732, 1.333 and 1.408 MeV) placed outside the detector well. These energies were obtained from 152Eu, 137Cs and 60Co. The relations between the full energy peak efficiency and photopeak attenuation coefficients, were plotted vs. photon energy at different sources to detector distance, and it found that the full energy peak efficiency decreased by increasing the distance between the source and the detector.

磷灰石裂变径迹实验流程的建立及验证——外探测器法和LA-ICP-MS/FT法

磷灰石裂变径迹定年作为揭示岩石低温热年代学的一种重要方法,能够有效重塑地壳浅部约3~5 km内数百万年以来的热演化历史,已经被广泛应用于地球科学的相关研究中。依托于中国地质科学院地质力学研究所建立的裂变径迹实验室,同时采用外探测器法和LA-ICP-MS/FT法对国际上普遍使用的Durango磷灰石进行了测定,得到2个Durango磷灰石外探测器法年龄为:32.9±1.6 Ma、31.9±2.3 Ma;7个Durango磷灰石LA-ICP-MS/FT法年龄为:31.97±0.82 Ma、30.9±1.5 Ma、32.3±1.4 Ma、30.6±1.1 Ma、30.7±1.4 Ma、29.7±1.9 Ma、31.1±1.3 Ma,两种方法测得的年龄均与国际推荐值在误差范围内一致;此外,我们也应用这两种方法对采集于天山的花岗岩样品18HS-5进行了测试,年龄分别为126.7±3.8 Ma、126.4±3.6 Ma,两种方法得到的年龄在误差范围内一致。实验对比分析表明,实验流程可靠,可推广测试。

多节点微口袋裂变电离室信号串扰的抑制

微口袋裂变电离室(micro-pocket fission detector, MPFD)是堪萨斯州立大学提出的一种新型微型裂变电离室,通过组合多个探测器形成一个多节点的探测器阵列,用于核反应堆堆芯中子注量率的三维在线监测或辐照样品处中子注量率的原位在线监测。在多节点探测器的设计过程中,由于各节点用于施加电场和输出信号的平行导线距离非常近,必须抑制各节点之间产生信号的相互串扰,以获得各节点输出信号的准确信息。本工作提出了一种3节点的MPFD设计,利用Garfiled、SRIM以及有限元分析方法对MPFD不同节点之间的串扰信号进行模拟分析,结果表明,MPFD串扰信号较主信号低1个量级,且极性相反。同时,制做了3节点的MPFD探测器样机,利用235U自发衰变产生的α粒子对两个节点之间的串扰信号进行了实验测试。实验结果与模拟计算结果一致,表明这种3节点的MPFD,由不同节点产生的串扰信号可通过信号极性和脉冲幅度进行甄别,不影响探测器对中子注量率的测量。

裂变室探测器信号处理算法设计

为解决裂变室探测器信号在不同测量模式之间切换造成的信号突变问题,在研究裂变室探测器工作原理及对应信号处理电路的基础上,设计出裂变室探测器的信号处理算法。该算法经证明能够做到不同测量模式之间的平滑过渡,且具有数字化、响应快、线性度好等特点。

用于宽量程核脉冲评估的随机脉冲发生器设计

设计一种随机脉冲发生器能够实现1~10^(8)Hz的随机脉冲输出,主要用于模拟正比计数管和裂变室探测器在宽量程范围的脉冲输出。整个方案采用FPGA加模拟电路的设计,以FPGA为平台,设计100个随机脉冲通道并通过加法器将信号叠加,最后经缓冲器输出。其中每个通道包含一个并行LFSR随机数生成器,并利用二项分布近似泊松分布理论依据产生最高10^(8)Hz计数率的信号模拟。实验结果验证了该随机脉冲发生器输出计数率从可分辨阶段到进入计数率死区,最后到重叠至不可分辨,其信号特征都符合泊松分布和坎贝尔定理的理论模型。

乏燃料组件非破坏性测量的叉形探测器

采用总γ和无源中子测量方法建立了叉形探测器。叉形探测器可用于后处理和贮存工厂中ＰＷＲ和ＢＷＲ型的乏燃料组件的燃耗、冷却时间、总钚和总裂变物质含量的测定。

堆外核测量用裂变电离室铀膜均匀性研究

堆外核测量用裂变电离室铀膜厚度的均匀性对其测量准确性影响甚大,因此有必要探索适当的电镀工艺及检验方法,本文在对堆外核测量用裂变电离室铀膜厚度及分布特性研究的基础上,建立了一套能够用于裂变电离室圆筒形电极内壁铀膜厚度分布测量的装置,并利用该装置测量了采用竖直静置和水平动态两种工艺电镀的电极内部的铀膜厚度分布情况,对比分析了两种电镀工艺下铀膜成膜机理及分布差异原因,理论分析与实验结果吻合,可用于指导裂变电离室的生产工艺控制。

用^（252）Cf自发裂变中子源刻度中子探测器效率

使用标准的Ｍｏｎｔｅ－Ｃａｒｌｏ程序计算了几种闪烁中子探测器的效率曲线，同时又用￣（２５２）Ｃｆ自发裂变中子源中子对效率曲线的低能部分进行了实验刻度。通过实验值对计算值归一把刻度点与计算曲线结合起来，按照实验点的走向修正了计算效率曲线的近阈部分。文章着重叙述实验刻度的技术。

235U裂变碎片在PIN探测器中沉积能量的实验研究

利用中子与235U发生裂变反应的截面在裂变中子能区基本不变这一特点,可设计研制裂变靶室探测系统,该系统中子能量响应较平坦,在脉冲中子总数测量中有广阔的应用前景。利用K-400加速器稳态DT中子源,实验标定了235U裂变碎片在PIN探测器中的平均沉积能量,并与理论计算结果进行了比较。裂变靶室系统探测效率可通过数值计算准确给出,与平均沉积能量实验测量值相结合,可得到准确的中子灵敏度数据,进而获得裂变靶室探测系统中子能量响应曲线。