A novel radiation detector consisting of an H /SUB g/ I/sub 2/ photo detector coupled to a scintillator

Journal Article · Mon Jan 31 23:00:00 EST 1983 · IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TNS.1983.4332289· OSTI ID:5766483

Iwanczyk, J S; Barton, J B; Dabrowski, A J; Kusmiss, J H; Szymczyk, W M

HgI/sub 2/ photodetectors have been used in conjunction with CsI(T1) and BGO to detect the light pulses from gamma rays and alpha particles. The photocurrent response to light of a typical H /SUB g/ I/sub 2/ photodetector is presented and discussed. The spectral response is appropriate for most important scintillators, which have their maximum emission between 400 and 560 nm. Energy spectra obtained with an HgI/sub 2/ photodetector coupled to a CsI(T1) scintillator crystal are presented for gamma rays from /sup 137/Cs, a /sup 68/Ga positron source, /sup 241/Am, and /SUP 99m/ Tc, as well as for the K x-rays from Pb. The photopeak energy resolution value for 511 keV annihilation gamma rays with the CsI(T1)-HgI/sub 2/ combination was about 10%. Spectra obtained with an HgI/sub 2/ photodetector coupled to a BGO scintillator crystal are presented for the annihilation gamma rays from a /sup 68/Ga positron source (19% photopeak resolution) and the alpha particles from a /sup 244/Cm source. Estimates of the quantum efficiencies for an HgI/sub 2/ photodetector coupled to CsI(T1) and BGO scintillator crystals give values in excess of 70%. A brief discussion is given of the limits on energy resolution set by the electronic noise. Potential applications of this novel radiation detection device and the advantages over photomultiplier-based devices are discussed.

• Research Organization: University of Southern California, Institute for Physics and Imaging Science, 4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 932 Marina del Rey, CA 90291
• DOE Contract Number: AM03-76SF00113
• OSTI ID: 5766483
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 30:1; ISSN IETNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440101* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALPHA DETECTION
ALPHA PARTICLES
CESIUM COMPOUNDS
CESIUM IODIDES
CHARGED PARTICLE DETECTION
CHARGED PARTICLES
DETECTION
EFFICIENCY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY RESOLUTION
GAMMA DETECTION
GAMMA RADIATION
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
IODIDES
IODINE COMPOUNDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MERCURY COMPOUNDS
MERCURY HALIDES
MERCURY IODIDES
METALS
PHOSPHORS
PHOTODETECTORS
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
RESOLUTION
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SPECTRAL RESPONSE
THALLIUM
VISIBLE RADIATION