Proton radiography based on near-threshold Cerenkov radiation

Patent · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2003

OSTI ID:875045

van Bibber, Karl A ^[1]; Dietrich, Frank S ^[2]

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1. Berkeley, CA
2. Walnut Creek, CA

A Cerenkov imaging system for charged particle radiography that determines the energy loss of the charged particle beam passing through an object. This energy loss information provides additional detail on target densities when used with traditional radiographic techniques like photon or x-ray radiography. In this invention a probe beam of 800 MeV to 50 GeV/c charged particles is passed through an object to be imaged, an imaging magnetic spectrometer, to a silicon aerogel Cerenkov radiator where the charged particles emitted Cerenkov light proportional to their velocity. At the same beam focal plane, a particle scintillator produces a light output proportional to the incident beam flux. Optical imaging systems relay the Cerenkov and scintillator information to CCD's or other measurement equipment. A ratio between the Cerenkov and scintillator is formed, which is directly proportional to the line density of the object for each pixel measured. By rotating the object, tomographic radiography may be performed. By applying pulses of beam, discrete time-step movies of dynamic objects may be made.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 6518580
• OSTI ID: 875045
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

proton
radiography
based
near-threshold
cerenkov
radiation
imaging
charged
particle
determines
energy
loss
beam
passing
information
provides
additional
detail
target
densities
traditional
radiographic
techniques
photon
x-ray
probe
800
mev
50
gevc
particles
passed
imaged
magnetic
spectrometer
silicon
aerogel
radiator
emitted
light
proportional
velocity
focal
plane
scintillator
produces
output
incident
flux
optical
systems
relay
ccds
measurement
equipment
ratio
formed
directly
line
density
pixel
measured
rotating
tomographic
performed
applying
pulses
discrete
time-step
movies
dynamic
particle beam
charged particle
cerenkov radiation
energy loss
/250/