Ionoluminescence decay measured with single ions

A new ion beam analysis-based, single ion technique called the time to first photon has been developed to measure the decay of the luminescence signal of phosphors. Such measurements are currently needed to study luminescence decay mechanisms following high-density excitations and to identify strongly luminescent phosphor coatings with short lifetimes for ion photon emission microscopy (IPEM). The samples for this technique consist of thin phosphor layers placed or coated on the surface of PIN diodes. Single ions from an accelerator strike this sample and simultaneously create ion beam induced luminescence (IBIL) from the phosphor that is measured by a single-photon-detector, and an ion beam induced charge collection (IBICC) signal in the PIN diode. In this case, the IBICC signal provides the start pulse and the IBIL signal the stop pulse to a time to amplitude converter. It is straightforward to show that this approach also measures a signal proportional to activity versus time with an accuracy of 5% as long as the number of detected photons per ion is less than 0.1, which usually requires the use of absorbers for the IBIL detector or electronic discrimination for the IBIL signals. Details of the new analysis are given together with examples of luminescence decay measurements of several ceramic phosphors being considered to coat IPEM samples. IPEM is currently being developed at Sandia National Laboratory (SNL), the University of North Texas in Denton, and the Universities and INFN of Padova and Torino.     

Ion-luminescence properties of GaN films being developed for IPEM

Radiation effects microscopy (REM) for the next generation integrated circuits (ICs) will require GeV ions both to provide high ionization and to penetrate the thick overlayers in present day ICs. These ion beams can be provided by only a few cyclotrons in the world. Since it is extremely hard to focus these higher-energy ions, we have proposed the ion photon emission microscope (IPEM) that allows the determination of the ion hits by focusing the emitted photons to a position sensitive detector. The IPEM needs a thin luminescent foil that has high brightness, good spatial resolution and does not change the incident ion’s energy and direction significantly. Available organic-phosphor foils require a large thickness to produce enough photons, which results in poor spatial resolution. To solve this problem, we have developed thin, lightly doped n-type GaN films that are extremely bright. We have grown high quality GaN films on sapphire using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), detached the films from the substrate using laser ablation, and made them self-supporting. The smallest foils have 1 mm² area and 1 μm thickness. The optical properties, such as light yield, spectrum and decay times were measured and compared to those of conventional phosphors, by using both alpha particles from a radioactive source and 250 keV ions from an implanter. We found that the GaN performance strongly depends on composition and doping levels. The conclusion is that 1-2 μm GaN film of a 1 mm² area may become an ideal ion position detector.     

Phosphors’ lifetime measurement employing the Time Between Photons method

The Time Between Photons theory (hereafter TBP) is applied to the evaluation of the lifetime of phosphors employed in the Ion Photon Emission Microscope (IPEM). IPEM allows Radiation Effects Microscopy (REM) without focused ion beams and appears to be the best tool for the radiation hardness assessment of modern integrated circuit at cyclotron energies. IPEM determines the impact point of a single ion onto the sample by measuring the light spot produced on a thin phosphor layer placed on the sample surface. The spot is imaged by an optical microscope and projected at high magnification onto a Position Sensitive Detector (PSD). Phosphors, when excited by an ion, emit photons with a particular lifetime, which is important to evaluate. We measured the statistical distribution of the Time Between consecutive detected Photons (TBP) for several phosphors and have been able to link it to their lifetime employing a theory that is derived in this paper. The single-photon signals are provided by the IPEM-PSD, or faster photomultipliers when high-speed materials had to be assessed.     

用于硼中子俘获疗法治疗束的光子谱仪设计

实验确认治疗束的谱源项参数是硼中子俘获治疗（BNCT）物理剂量学研究的重要环节之一,全面细致地掌握相关信息,对精准制定临床治疗计划进而准确评估患者的给予剂量十分重要。为验证理论计算源项光子能谱的可靠性,设计适用于BNCT治疗束特点（宽能量范围、高强度n/γ混合束）的新型光子谱仪。通过蒙特卡罗模拟方法优化探测器内的中子注量率、光子计数率及次级光子占比（次级光子计数率/初级光子计数率）三个重要参数,在降低辐射强度以避免探测器的辐射损伤和死时间过大的同时,尽可能抑制中子诱导次级光子的产生,将次级光子占比降至5.45,以实现BNCT治疗束光子谱的快速准确测量。同时,开展谱仪对不同能量光子响应的校准方法研究,以便得到准确的响应函数,为光子谱的解谱工作奠定基础。     

A two-component equilibrium-diffusion limit

The equilibrium-diffusion limit of the radiative transfer equations is characterized by a medium that is optically thick and diffusive for photons of all frequencies. In reality, this condition is almost never met because the transport medium tends to be optically thin for photons of sufficiently high frequency. Motivated by this fact, we derive a new asymptotic limit of the radiative transfer equations that is characterized by two photon components: one for which the medium is optically thick and diffusive, and the other for which the medium is optically thin. In this limit, the leading-order material temperature satisfies a time-dependent diffusion equation, and the leading-order radiation intensity for the optically thick photons is given by the Planck function evaluated at the leading-order material temperature, but the radiation intensity for the optically thin photons is zero through first order. The O(ϵ²) radiation intensity for the optically thin photons satisfies a quasi steady-state transport equation with zero interaction terms and a Planck emission term that depends upon the leading-order material temperature. We also discuss alternative scalings associated with the two-component limit that are characterized by a stronger coupling between the material and the optically thin component.     

A two-component equilibrium-diffusion limit

The equilibrium-diffusion limit of the radiative transfer equations is characterized by a medium that is optically thick and diffusive for photons of all frequencies. In reality, this condition is almost never met because the transport medium tends to be optically thin for photons of sufficiently high frequency. Motivated by this fact, we derive a new asymptotic limit of the radiative transfer equations that is characterized by two photon components: one for which the medium is optically thick and diffusive, and the other for which the medium is extremely optically thin. In this limit, the leading-order material temperature satisfies a time-dependent diffusion equation, and the leading-order radiation intensity for the optically thick photons is given by the Planck function evaluated at the leading-order material temperature, but the radiation intensity for the optically thin photons is zero through first order. The O(ϵ²) radiation intensity for the optically thin photons satisfies a quasi steady-state transport equation with zero interaction terms and a Planck emission term that depends upon the leading-order material temperature. We also discuss alternative scalings associated with the two-component limit that are characterized by stronger coupling between the material and the optically thin component.     

The ion photon emission microscope on SNL’s nuclear microprobe and in LBNL’s cyclotron facility

Radiation effects microscopy (REM) has evolved into an essential tool for the study, diagnostics and remedy of single event effects (SEE) in microelectronics devices, However, we are entering an era where the ion energies of the current systems are becoming inadequate for diagnosing SEE problems in modern ICs due to the great thickness of interlevel dielectric, metallization and passivation layers found on top of the active radiation-sensitive Si. Our solution is the ion photon emission microscope (IPEM), which eliminates the need to focus several GeV heavy ions. A tabletop IPEM is currently in use at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), operating with alpha particles, and showing 4 μm resolution. We have recently developed a second system, and installed it on one of the SNL nuclear microprobe lines to demonstrate the principle and prove its potential as a portable radiation effects microscope that can be installed at the LBNL GeV cyclotron facility. The microprobe system is currently operating with ～2 μm resolution. The determined advantages of installing a similar system at the LBNL cyclotron facility will be discussed, in addition to recently measured optical characteristics of the various phosphor materials being investigated.     

CsI(Na)闪烁薄膜对重带电粒子时间响应实验研究

为发展具有粒子甄别能力的空间带电粒子辐射场测量的闪烁探测技术,本文采用单光子计数方法测量了片状CsI(Na)晶体在质子、锂离子和氧离子激发下的衰减时间曲线,结合CsI(Na)对脉冲X射线瞬态响应的波形分析,结果表明,CsI(Na)晶体对质子、重带电粒子和电子展示出完全不同的衰减时间特征。基于CsI(Na)材料的闪烁探测器在电流型计数模式下可望实现对高能电子、质子和重离子的分辨,从而为其用于空间辐射场测量的信号波形甄别奠定基础。     

γ射线测距中散射光子影响因素的蒙特卡罗模拟

基于散射光子的γ射线测距技术,具有测距精度高、响应速度快、可靠性高、体积小、重量轻等特点,适用于在苛刻空间环境中实现近距离高精度的高度测量。本文采用蒙特卡罗程序MCNP建立模型,模拟不同条件下散射光子的能量、强度的变化规律,分析了探测距离、源 探距离、γ射线能量、靶目标厚度以及靶目标材料的变化对反散射峰光子能量与强度的影响,得出以下结论：反散射峰光子能量与靶目标厚度（>7 cm）、靶目标材料无关,与γ射线能量、源 探距离正相关,与探测距离负相关;反散射峰光子强度与靶目标厚度（>7 cm）无关,与探测距离正相关,与γ射线能量、源 探距离、靶目标材料负相关。对于不同靶目标材料,模拟计算的反散射峰光子能量分布区间与理论计算结果一致,证实本文γ射线散射光子测距技术的仿真方法可行、结果可信。     

释光探源

释光技术用于年龄测定的依据是磷光体能够储存辐射的能量,但磷光体对不同辐射种类的能量吸收效率和释光响应各不相同,因此释光测定年龄这一技术本身要求各种学科知识的支撑,有些知识甚至是本学科都尚未深入研究的。作者简述了释光测年技术的历史,并以自身的实践阐述在对释光的认识过程中所必须具备的知识。还以长石为例,叙述了在自行开发的BG2003释光谱仪上新进行的研究工作。     

Energy and Angular Responses of the Criticality Accident Detector using a Plastic Scintillator

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, operates a spent fuel reprocessing plant and MOX (Plutonium-Uranium Mixed Oxide) fuel fabrication plants. Criticality accident detectors have been installed in these facilities. The detector, the Toshiba RD120, is composed of a plastic scintillator coupled to a photomultiplier tube, and an operational amplifier. The alarm triggering point is set to 1.0–3.6 mGy.h^?1 in photon dose rate to detect the minimum accident of concern. However, a plastic scintillator is principally sensitive not only to primary photons but also to neutrons by secondary photons and heavy charged particles produced in the detector itself. The authors calculated energy and angular responses of the RD120 criticality accident detector to photons and neutrons using Monte Carlo computer codes. The response to primary photons was evaluated with the MCNP-4B and EGS4 calculations, and photon and X-ray irradiation experiments. The response to neutrons that produce secondary photons and heavy charged particles from neutron interactions was computed using the MCNP-4B and SCINFUL, respectively. As a result, reliable response functions were obtained. These results will be a great help in reassessing the coverage area and in determining the appropriate triggering dose rate level in criticality accidents.     

The SNAP 27 Gamma Radiation Spectrum Obtained with a Ge(Li) Detector

The pulse height distribution, obtained experimentally using a Ge(Li) detector, was employed to determine the photon emission rate characteristic of a PuO2 fuel source known as the SNAP 27 heat source. The selfshielding parameters of the photon emitter, the efficiency of the detector and the geometry of the experiment were utilized to determine the unscattered photon emission rate of the source and the unscattered flux spectrum at a certain specified distance from the source. For the scattered part of the flux spectrum a Monte Carlo technique was employed so that the total flux spectrum could be determined at any point in the radiation field. As a result of this work, a technique was developed to obtain the unfolded radiation spectrum of the SNAP 27 heat source.     

High Power Laser and Accelerator Investigation of UV Single-Shot FROG Measurement

2006年，中子导管工程与中子散射工程相关工作进展顺利。     

Enhanced photon emission and pair production in laser-irradiated plasmas

Enhanced photon emission and pair production due to heavy ion mass in the interaction of an ultraintense laser with overdense plasmas is explored by particle-in-cell simulation.It is found that plasmas with heavier ion mass can excite a higher and broader electrostatic field,which causes the enhancement of backward photon emission.The pair yields are then enhanced due to the increase of backwards photons colliding with the incoming laser pulse.By examining the density evolution and angle distribution of each particle species,the origin of pair yield enhancement is clarified.     

固体释光剂量计

本文讲述固体释光的原理和现状。利用自制的BG2003释光谱仪获得了不同波长的释光光子,将选频释光技术应用于固体释光剂量计是发展固体释光剂量计的新方向,用它进行年龄测定,对同一个样品可获得不同波长释光光子的数据,结果可互相比较,增加了结果的可信度。     

GaN核辐射探测器的性能研究

GaN作为第3代半导体材料,具有禁带宽度大、电子饱和漂移速度大、抗辐射能力强等特点。制备了GaN半导体探测器,并应用该探测器对²⁴¹Am α粒子能谱进行测量,得到α粒子能谱的能量分辨率约30%。同时,以Si半导体探测器为标准,对GaN探测器进行了能量及探测效率的测量,得到探测器的探测效率最高可达80.1%。最后,应用Keithley 2635静电计对GaN探测器的I-V曲线等进行测试,发现在-15 V偏压下,GaN探测器的本底电流密度小于70 nA/cm²。     

The response of a chromium doped alumina screen to keV and MeV ions

We have characterised the response of a chromium-doped alumina screen ‘Chromox’ to light ions (H⁺ and He⁺) accelerated to keV and MeV energies. In particular, we have determined the absolute luminosity in terms of the number of photons emitted per incident ion from the front and back faces of such a screen. This work has been motivated by the application of this material to a diagnostic for measuring fast ion losses, close to the plasma edge, from the hot plasmas in fusion devices, where its radiation hardness, compared to that of standard phosphors, makes it very attractive. We also discuss the persistent afterglow observed after removal of the ion beam in terms of its cause and possible repercussions for this diagnostic.     

Detector Concept for OPET-A Combined PET and Optical Imaging System

The design of an imaging system capable of detecting both high-energy γ-rays and optical wavelength photons is underway at the UCLA Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging. This system, which we call optical PET (OPET), will be capable of non-invasively and repeatedly imaging small animal models in vivo for the presence of PET and optical signals. In this study, we describe the physical principles behind the operation of the OPET imaging system and discuss the design concept for one of the detector modules. Additionally, we demonstrate the operation of an initial prototype detector module for simultaneous detection and imaging of annihilation radiation and single optical photons emanating from separate sources. These results indicate that the construction of an imaging system based on this detector technology is feasible.     

成像板对X射线的能量响应

作为X射线探测器,成像板的光激发光子信号对X射线的能量响应是非常重要的数据。利用同步辐射光源的单能X射线照射成像板,得到成像板对低能光子的能量响应曲线,并与MCNP程序计算结果进行对比分析,得到成像板响应函数的衰减模型。计算结果与实验结果一致,为进一步开展成像板在辐射测量领域的研究工作提供了参考。     

The ionoluminescence apparatus at the LABEC external microbeam facility

In this paper, we describe the main features of the ionoluminescence (IL) apparatus recently installed at the external scanning microbeam facility of the 3 MV Tandetron accelerator of the INFN LABEC Laboratory in Firenze. The peculiarity of this IL set-up resides in the fact that the light produced by the ion irradiation of the specimen is collected by a bifurcated optical fiber, so that photons are shunted both to a CCD spectrometer, working in the 200-900 nm wavelength range, and to a photomultiplier (PMT). The accurate focusing of the optical system allows high photon collection efficiency and this results in rapid acquisition of luminescence spectra with low ion currents on luminescent materials; simultaneously, luminescence maps with a spatial resolution of 10 μm can be acquired through the synchronization of PMT photon detection with the position of the scanning focused ion beam. An optical filter with a narrow passband facing the photomultiplier allows chromatic selectivity of the luminescence centres.The IL apparatus is synergistically integrated into the existing set-up for ion beam analyses (IBA). The upgraded system permits simultaneous IL and PIXE/PIGE/BS measurements. With our integrated system, we have been studying raw lapis lazuli samples of different known origins and precious lapis lazuli artworks of the Collezione Medicea of Museum of Natural History, University of Firenze, aiming at characterising their composition and provenance.