High-Energy 3D Calorimeter based on position-sensitive virtual Frisch-grid CdZnTe detectors for use in Gamma-ray Astronomy
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD (United States)
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States). Savannah River National Lab. (SRNL)
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science & Technology, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and Univ. of Maryland, Greenbelt, MD (United States)
We present a concept for a calorimeter based on a novel approach of 3D position-sensitive virtual Frischgrid CZT detectors. This calorimeter aims to measure photons with energies from ~100 keV to 10 (goal 50) MeV. The expected energy resolution at 662 keV is ~1% FWHM, and the photon interaction positionmeasurement accuracy is ~1 mm in all 3 dimensions. Each CZT bar is a rectangular prism with typical cross-section of 6x6 mm2 and length of 2-4 cm. The bars are arranged in modules of 4 x 4 bars, and the modules themselves can be assembled into a larger array. The 3D virtual voxel approach solves a long-standing problem with CZT detectors associated with material imperfections that limit the performance and usefulness of relatively thick detectors (i.e., > 1 cm). Also, it allows us to relax the requirements on the quality of the crystals, maintaining good energy resolution and significantly reducing the instrument cost. Such a calorimeter can be successfully used in space telescopes that use Compton scattering of γ rays, such as AMEGO, serving as part of its calorimeter and providing the position and energy measurement for Compton-scattered photons. Also, it could provide suitable energy resolution to allow for spectroscopic measurements of γ-ray lines from nuclear decays. Another viable option is to use this calorimeter as a focal plane to conduct spectroscopic measurements of cosmic γ-ray events. In combination with a coded-aperture mask, it potentially could provide mapping of the 511-keV radiation from the Galactic Center region.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0012704
- OSTI ID:
- 1389222
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-114129-2017-IR; TRN: US1801144
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Design and Performance Testing of a Linear Array of Position-Sensitive Virtual Frisch-Grid CdZnTe Detectors for Uranium Enrichment Measurements
Design and Performance Testing of a Linear Array of Position-Sensitive Virtual Frisch-Grid CdZnTe Detectors for Uranium Enrichment Measurements