Silicon photo-multiplier readouts for scintillator-based gamma-ray detectors in space

Bloser, Peter F.; Legere, Jason S.; Jablonski, Luke F.; Bancroft, Christopher M.; McConnell, Mark L.; Ryan, J. M.

doi:10.1109/nssmic.2010.5873780

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Because the signal of each cell is the same no matter how many scintillation photons are incident upon it, the device will become saturated at high energies and the output pulse height (PH) will approach a maximum value proportional to the total number of cells in the device. The PH vs. energy curve for the LaBr3/SiPM detector showed the expected saturation, and was fIt using an analytic function as reported previously [10]. Using this fIt, the individual PH values for each event were converted to energy and re-binned into energy spectra.…”

Section: Gamma-ray Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 92%

“…1) purchased from Saint Gobain Crystals and used in our early SiPM work [9]. After confIrming basic operation, the device was sent to Saint Gobain for integration into a hermetically sealed detector package, as described in previous work [10]. The SI0985 was optically coupled directly to a 6 mm x 6 mm x 10 mm LaBr3 crystal, wrapped with reflective material, and hermetically sealed within a small aluminum can (Fig.…”

Section: Labr3/s1pm Detector Under Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Geant4 offers many tools for modeling the collection of optical scintillation photons [3], [12]. We have expanded and improved on the initial optical simulations reported previously [10]. We used the GLISUR model of optical properties, assuming polished crystal faces and a Lambertian reflector with 97% reflectivity on five sides.…”

Section: Optical Simulations With Geant4mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the past several years we have therefore been investigating the use of commercially available SiPMs in various scintillator readout configurations [9], [10]. In this paper we describe the successful balloon test flight of a small LaBr3/SiPM detector, and initial tests with larger devices.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Balloon-flight test of a lanthanum bromide gamma-ray detector with silicon photomultiplier readout

Bloser

Legere

Wurtz

et al. 2012

2012 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference Record (NSS/MIC)

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New scintillator materials have been shown to hold great potential for low-cost, reliable gamma-ray detectors in high-energy astronomy and solar physics. New devices for the detection of scintillation light promise to make scintillator-based instruments even more attractive by reducing mass and power requirements. In particular, silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are commercially available that offer gains and quantum efficiencies similar to those of photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), but with greatly reduced mass, high ruggedness, low voltage requirements, and no sensitivity to magnetic fields. SiPMs have by now been shown to perform well as readouts for scintillator gamma-ray detectors in the laboratory. Before they may used in space-based instruments, however, it must be shown that 1) sufficiently large light collecting areas may be fabricated without loss of performance;2) the variability of the gain with temperature can be compensated for; and 3) that SiPMs are sufficiently robust and radiation hard. We present results from ongoing work to investigate whether SiPMs are appropriate for use in space, including data from the successful flight of a combined LaBr3/SiPM detector on a high-altitude scientific balloon, and the performance of larger gamma-ray spectrometers with improved light collection.

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Section: Gamma-ray Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Labr3/s1pm Detector Under Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Optical Simulations With Geant4mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Balloon-flight test of a lanthanum bromide gamma-ray detector with silicon photomultiplier readout

Bloser

Legere

Wurtz

et al. 2012

2012 IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference Record (NSS/MIC)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Similar photon detection efficiency, gain, and timing response could be achieved with a device that is compact, lightweight, and robust, that requires no high voltage (typically 20 -70 V). SiPMs have by now been shown by many groups to perform well as readout devices for scintillators [10][11][12][13] …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scintillator gamma-ray detectors with silicon photomultiplier readouts for high-energy astronomy

et al. 2013

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Space-based gamma-ray detectors for high-energy astronomy face strict constraints of mass, volume, and power, and must endure harsh operating environments. Scintillator materials have a long history of successful operation under these conditions, and new materials offer greatly improved performance in terms of efficiency, time response, and energy resolution. The use of scintillators in space remains constrained, however, by the mass, volume, and fragility of the associated light readout device, typically a vacuum photomultiplier tube (PMT). Recently developed silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) offer gains and efficiencies similar to those of PMTs, but with greatly reduced mass and volume, high ruggedness, and no high-voltage requirements. We have therefore been investigating the use of SiPM readouts for scintillator gamma-ray detectors, with an emphasis on their suitability for space-and balloonbased instruments for high-energy astronomy. We present our most recent results, including spectroscopy measurements for lanthanum bromide scintillators with SiPM readouts, and pulse-shape discrimination using organic scintillators with SiPM readouts. We also describe potential applications of SiPM readouts to specific highenergy astronomy instrument concepts.

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Dose spectra from energetic particles and neutrons

et al. 2013

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[1] Dose spectra from energetic particles and neutrons (DoSEN) are an early-stage space technology research project that combines two advanced complementary radiation detection concepts with fundamental advantages over traditional dosimetry. DoSEN measures not only the energy but also the charge distribution (including neutrons) of energetic particles that affect human (and robotic) health in a way not presently possible with current dosimeters. For heavy ions and protons, DoSEN provides a direct measurement of the lineal energy transfer (LET) spectra behind shielding material. For LET measurements, DoSEN contains stacks of thin-thick Si detectors similar in design to those used for the Cosmic Ray Telescope for the Effects of Radiation. With LET spectra, we can now directly break down the observed spectrum of radiation into its constituent heavy-ion components and through biologically based quality factors that provide not only doses and dose rates but also dose equivalents, associated rates, and even organ doses. DoSEN also measures neutrons from 10 to 100 MeV, which requires enough sensitive mass to fully absorb recoil particles that the neutrons produce. DoSEN develops the new concept of combining these independent measurements and using the coincidence of LET measurements and neutron detection to significantly reduce backgrounds in each measurement. The background suppression through the use of coincidence allows for significant reductions in size, mass, and power needed to provide measurements of dose, neutron dose, dose equivalents, LET spectra, and organ doses. Thus, we introduce the DoSEN concept: a promising low-mass instrument that detects the full spectrum of energetic particles, heavy ions, and neutrons to determine biological impact of radiation in space.

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Silicon photo-multiplier readouts for scintillator-based gamma-ray detectors in space

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Balloon-flight test of a lanthanum bromide gamma-ray detector with silicon photomultiplier readout

Balloon-flight test of a lanthanum bromide gamma-ray detector with silicon photomultiplier readout

Scintillator gamma-ray detectors with silicon photomultiplier readouts for high-energy astronomy

Dose spectra from energetic particles and neutrons

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