Low Energy Dosimetry With Photon Counting Pixel Detectors Such as Medipix

Hybrid semiconductor photon counting pixel detectors like the Medipix detector have several advantages for an use in X-ray dosimetry. The noiseless photon counting principle allows to monitor low photon energies down to 3.5 keV. Due to the small pixel size (55 mum in case of Medipix2) dosimetry at very high dose rates is possible still processing each photon individually. The large amount of pixels in combination with the possible thickness of the sensor layer enables dosimetry at very low dose rates. A method has been developed to determine personal dose equivalents from the number of counts in energy deposition intervals measured with a semiconductor photon counting pixel detector, despite the strong influence of charge sharing effects among pixels. We tested the method experimentally by reconstructing the air kerma free in air for different qualities of X-radiation in the energy range below 150 keV with an accuracy better than 4%. We show that the response of a dosimeter based on a hybrid photon counting pixel detector can fulfill the IEC type testing requirements. The statistical precision is high due to the thickness and the large area of the sensor layer. We estimate that a dosimeter based on the Medipix detector will be able to cope with dose rates of more than approximately 57 Sv/h for mathdot Hp (0.07) or 19 Sv/h for mathdot Hp(10) . We outline the advantages and perspectives of using this kind of detector in a dosimeter in comparison to standard active personal dosimeters.     

磁质谱仪离子收集器数字化读出系统的研制

研制了一个用于磁质谱仪法拉第筒阵列离子收集器的高精度数字化读出系统,实现对离子束中离子成分的分析与诊断。数字化读出系统由前端处理电路和数据获取模块组成,前端处理电路采用门控积分器将418通道微弱电荷信号转换为电压信号,数据获取模块将电压信号数字化后,通过以太网接口将数据上传到远程上位机。该读出系统实现了电荷范围为0.1~120 pC的数字化读出,非线性误差小于1.95%（全量程）。现场应用测试结果表明,该数字化读出系统完全满足实验需求。该系统还可广泛用于核物理实验和加速器系统中微弱电流或电荷信号的测量。     

Hybrid direct conversion detectors for digital mammography

Hybrid pixel detector arrays that convert X-rays directly into charge signals are under development at NOVA for application to digital mammography. This technology also has wide application possibilities in other fields of radiology and in industrial imaging for applications in nondestructive evaluation and inspection. These detectors have potentially superior properties compared to either emulsion based film, which has nonlinear response to X-rays, or phosphor-based detectors in which there is an intermediate step of X-ray to light photon conversion. Potential advantages of direct conversion detectors are high quantum efficiencies (QE) of 98% or higher (for 0.3 mm thick CdZnTe detector with 20 keV X-rays), improved contrast, high sensitivity and low intrinsic noise. These factors are expected to contribute to high detective quantum efficiency (DQE). The prototype hybrid pixel detector developed has 50×50 microns pixel size, and is designed to have linear response to X-rays, and can support a dynamic range of 14 bits. Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is measured on a l-mm silicon detector system where 10% or better modulations are obtained at 10 lp/mm spatial frequency. Preliminary DQE measurements of the same system yields a value of 55% at zero spatial frequency. Here, the authors report data of their first full size prototype readout ASIC chips hybridized with both silicon and CdZnTe detector arrays and present initial MTF and DQE measurement results as well as some test images     

CMOS工艺X射线图像传感器设计

本文设计了一种不需闪烁体或增感屏,直接对X射线进行探测成像的线阵图像传感器,对其电荷收集进行了理论分析,设计了辐射加固的光敏元结构。采用0.5 μm DPTM CMOS工艺,针对单个像元内含不同个数光敏元的结构进行了流片和X射线实验测试。测试结果表明：该图像传感器暗信号电压约为1 V,随像元内光敏元个数的增加暗信号电压增大;饱和输出电压为2.4 V;随光敏元个数的增加,电荷收集总量增加,总寄生电容也同时增加,所设计的单个像元含3个光敏元的结构能得到相对更大的有效输出电压。     

Cross-Sectional Imaging of Large and Dense Materials by High Energy X-Ray CT Using Linear Accelerator

A prototype high energy X-ray CT (computed tomography) system has been developed which employs a linear accelerator as the X-ray source (max. photon energy: 12MeV).

One problem encountered in development of this CT system was to reduce the scattered photons from adjacent detectors, i.e. crosstalk, due to high energy X-rays. This crosstalk was reduced to 2% by means of detector shields using tungsten spacers. Spatial resolution was not affected by such small crosstalk as confirmed by numerical simulations. A second problem was to reduce the scattered photons from the test object. This was done using collimators. A third concern was to realize a wide dynamic range data processing which would allow applications to large and dense objects. This problem was solved by using a sample and hold data acquisition method to reduce the dark current of the photo detectors. The dynamic range of this system was experimentally confirmed over 60 dB. It was demonstrated that slits (width : 2 mm) in an iron object (diameter : 25 cm) could be imaged by this prototype CT system.     

新型电荷-频率转换电路设计

设计了一种用于兰州重离子治癌系统中剂量监测的新型电荷-频率转换电路。该电路将输入的电流信号直接转换为脉冲输出,通过计数器对脉冲个数进行计数实现对输入电荷的测量,从而实现对照射剂量的实时监测。实验表明:该电路可实现0.01 n A~1μA范围内双极性电流的测量,在整个测量范围内线性度好于2.71%。     

X-ray energy separation method using a CdTe semiconductor X-rayimaging sensor and photon counting method

A multichannel X-ray imaging sensor using a CdTe compound semiconductor radiation detector in photon counting mode was developed and tested for digital X-ray imaging and an X-ray energy separation capability. The X-ray imaging sensor was constructed of CdTe detector elements at a pitch of 0.25 mm. High band amplifiers, discriminators, and counters attached to each element formed the pulse counting circuit. Charge pulses generated by absorbed X-ray photons were directly counted and separated into two energy regions. Digitized X-ray images containing energy information were thus obtained. Using this sensor two separate X-ray images of different energy can be obtained simultaneously. A 256-channel X-ray imaging sensor was prepared and used to provide spatial resolution measurement for an X-ray charge. Low and high energy images of a hand phantom were thus obtained and both a soft tissue image and a bone image were produced using an energy subtraction method     

高分辨率X射线探测器读出电子学系统的研制及性能测试

本文针对光锥耦合X射线探测器低噪声的设计要求,研制了一套读出电子学系统,该系统包括模拟驱动电路、前端处理电路及基于现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)的数字信号处理电路。利用X射线成像平台,对研发的探测器进行了性能测试。探测器系统绝对增益为0.168 6DN/e-,线性工作范围为0~154μGy。制冷温度为-20℃时,暗电流噪声为0.037e-/(pixel·s),读出噪声为10.9e-。探测器的本征空间分辨率达16lp/mm。测试结果表明,研制的读出电子学系统能满足高分辨率X射线探测器对低噪声特性的需求。     

Compton Currents - Historical Aspects and Recollections

Theory and practice of current and space charge generation in solid dielectrics under photon irradiation have found their place in modern radiation physics. But the first attempts to bring these effects to the attention of specialists met with skepticism. This article describes early stages in the development of Compton Current research. It discusses the relation between photon flux density and Compton current intensity, the relation between the Compton current produced in a scatterer and the external current observed in an electrical circuit incorporating the scatterer, the production of space charge, and the use of Compton currents for radiation dosimetry.     

A 64-Channel Wide Dynamic Range Charge Measurement ASIC for Strip and Pixel Ionization Detectors

In this paper we report a 64-channel application specified integrated circuit (ASIC) for the readout of parallel plate strip and pixel ionization detectors. The detectors measure the intensity and the geometrical characteristics of a hadron beam for hadrontherapy cancer treatments. The ASIC is based on a current to frequency converter followed by a counter. It uses a charge balancing integration technique to obtain a dynamic range in excess of$10^5$with a nonlinearity of less than 1%. The ASIC has been designed in a CMOS 0.8$mu m$technology and it has been used for the readout of both strip ionization detectors for beam calibration and pixel detectors for beam monitoring during treatment. A new version of the chip in CMOS 0.35$mu m$technology which allows bipolar input currents has been designed and is currently under test.     

数字化核仪表系统样机堆上试验及验证

针对目前国内核电厂核仪表系统设备主要依赖进口的现状,设计研发了一套数字化核仪表系统样机,系统样机主要包括中子探测器组件、信号调理和处理样机以及信号监控设备。通过介绍样机在商用堆上的安装和试验情况,详细分析了反应堆启堆、升功率、满功率及降功率运行期间的试验数据。试验结果表明,中子探测器与信号调理和处理样机配合良好,整套系统样机运行稳定可靠。      

A QTC-based signal readout for position-sensitive multi-output detectors

A new signal readout method for position-sensitive multi-output detectors,such as those in high-energy spectroscopy measurement and nuclear imaging,was developed by combining the charge division circuit,summing circuit and charge-to-time conversion(QTC) circuit.The 64 outputs of a Hamamatsu H8500 position-sensitive photomultiplier tube were processed,and three digital pulses were generated.The widths of digital pulses were determined using the time-to-digital converter in an field programmable gate array.The energy and position information of incident y-rays is estimated based on the proportionality between the width of digital pulses and input charge created by y-photons.A prototype was built using discrete components and tested,and the energy and position resolutions were improved compared with that obtained with standard ADCs.This method greatly simplifies the front-end electronics and the digital interface.It enables a compact electronics system and an easy integration into an ASIC.     

远距离大动态范围电荷测量电路的设计

介绍了大型高海拔空气簇射观测站(Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory,LHAASO)空气簇射芯探测器阵列(Shower core detector array,SCDA)读出电子学方案的预研设计。系统采用基于电荷积分法的电荷测量方案,读出电子学通过同轴电缆接收光电倍增管输出的电流信号;采用在输入端与电荷积分放大器的虚地点之间接入等效50?电阻的终端阻抗匹配方案,并通过Pspice仿真验证该阻抗匹配的可行性。电路测试结果表明,该电路能满足远距离10 bit大动态范围电荷测量的设计指标要求。     

高能同步辐射光源储存环快校正磁铁电源设计

高能同步辐射光源（HEPS）具有0.1 nm·rad的超低发射度,对束流稳定度提出了较高要求,研制1台高性能快校正磁铁电源用来提高快速轨道反馈系统（FOFB）的性能以提升束流稳定度。电源样机采用新颖的多电平级联拓扑结构提升电源样机的动态性能,使用基于数字控制的新颖控制方法实现样机的动态性能提升。软件仿真与样机试验数据证明,电源样机具有10 kHz小信号带宽、电源阶跃响应时间小于70 μs、输出电流纹波低于20 ppm,电源样机可很好地满足HEPS建设需求。     

Design of Fast Corrector Magnet Power Supply for HEPS Storage Ring

The high energy photon source (HEPS) has an ultra-low emittance of 0.1 nm·rad, which puts forward high requirement for beam stability. A high performance fast corrector magnet power supply was developed to improve the performance of the fast orbit feedback system to improve the beam stability. The prototype adopted a novel multi-level cascade topology structure to improve the dynamic performance, and a novel control method based on digital control was used to improve the dynamic performance of the prototype. Software simulation and the prototype test data show that the prototype has a small signal bandwidth of 10 kHz, step response time lower than 70 μs, output current ripple of less than 20 ppm. The power supply prototype can meet the requirement of HEPS.     

Digital Architecture and Interface of the New ATLAS Pixel Front-End IC for Upgraded LHC Luminosity

A new pixel front-end integrated circuit is being developed in a 130 nm technology for use in the foreseen b-layer upgrade of the ATLAS pixel detector. Development of this chip is considered as an intermediate step towards super-LHC upgrade, and also allows having a smaller radius insertable pixel layer. The higher luminosity for which this chip is tuned implies a complete redefinition of the digital architecture logic with respect to the current ATLAS pixel front-end. The new digital architecture logic is not based on a transfer of all pixel hits to the periphery of the chip, but on local pixel logic, local pixel data storage, and a new mechanism to drain triggered hits from the double-column. An overview of the new chip will be given with particular emphasis on the new digital logic architecture and possible variations. The new interface needed to configure and operate the chip will also be described.     

GEM探测器高速数据采集系统设计

介绍了基于以太网的GEM探测器高速数据采集系统的设计。该系统将GEM探测器输出的电荷信号转换为数字信号并写入FPGA进行分析和处理,处理后的数据通过千兆以太网进行传输。主机电脑接收以太网传输的电荷信号的位置信息,绘制电荷信号的位置分布图。实验测试表明:该系统能检测到探测器输出的位置信息并绘制出X射线信号的位置分布图。     

X射线工业CT中的数据采集

介绍了X射线工业CT中数据采集的一种方法.将X射线转换成与之成线性关系的微弱电流信号,通过检测电流信号测量出X射线的相对强度.这种采集方法可根据X射线的剂量强度,灵活的改变电流检测电路的参数,因此适用于不同能量级的X射线的采集.该X射线采集方法已经成功应用工业CT数据采集系统中.     

A New Method for Measuring the Wall Charge Waveforms of AC PDP

A new method is developed to measure the wall charge waveforms in coplanar alternating current plasma display panel (AC PDP). In the method, two groups of display electrodes are selected from a coplanar AC PDP and two capacitors are respectively connected with thesetwo groups of display electrodes in series, and a measuring circuit and a reference circuit are thus constructed. With the help of special processing, discharge takes place in the cells included in the measuring circuit under a normal drive voltage but no discharge takes place in the cells included in the reference circuit under a normal drive voltage. The wall charge waveforms are obtained from the voltage difference between the two capacitors. Using the method, the wall charge waveforms are measured during resetting period, addressing period and sustaining period for the 304.8 mm (12-inch) test PDP panel. The result shows that the wall voltage is about 96 V during the sustaining period.     

Readout electronics for a high-resolution soft X-ray spectrometer based on silicon drift detector

The readout electronics for a prototype soft X-ray spectrometer based on silicon drift detector (SDD),for precisely measuring the energy and arrival time of X-ray photons is presented in this paper.The system mainly consists of two parts,i.e.,an analog electronics section (including a pre-amplifier,a signal shaper and filter,a constant fraction timing circuit,and a peak hold circuit) and a digital electronics section (including an ADC and a TDC).Test results with X-ray sources show that an energy dynamic range of 1-10 keV with an integral nonlinearity of less than 0.1％ can be achieved,and the energy resolution is better than 160 eV@5.9 keV FWHM.Using a waveform generator,test results also indicate that time resolution of the electronics system is about 3.7 ns,which is much less than the transit time spread of SDD (＜100 ns) and satisfies the requirements of future applications.