Constant sensitivity circuit for solid state nuclear radiation counters
The utilization of solid state counters in tactical radiological instruments for measuring intensities and doses of fallout gamma rays offers advantages over Geiger-Mueller (GM) counters such as a much wider dynamic range and low operating voltages. Their very small size is suitable for use in miniaturized equipment. However, these devices have a serious problem if used in a mixed, fast neutron/gamma environment such as is encountered e.g. in a battlefield where tactical nuclear weapons are used and neutrons, prompt, initial gammas and fallout gammas are killing factors of comparable importance. Exposure to fast neutrons reduces seriously their sensitivity. This makes the solid state counters at this time unacceptable for use in Army tactical surveillance equipment and in other applications where according to requirements the performance must not be impaired by exposure to fast neutrons. It seems to be possible to reduce to some extent this neutron generated damage by improving the crystal counters.
- Research Organization:
- US Army Combat Surveillance and Target Acquisition Lab., Fort Monmouth, NJ
- OSTI ID:
- 6399494
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-841007-
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.; (United States) Vol. NS-32:1; ISSN IETNA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
ON THE PROBLEM OF THE LIFETIME OF GEIGER-MULLER COUNTERS
INTERPRETATION OF INSTRUMENT READINGS: PULSE-COUNTING INSTRUMENTS
Related Subjects
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CRYSTAL COUNTERS
DAMAGING NEUTRON FLUENCE
DOSEMETERS
DOSES
DOSIMETRY
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
EXPLOSIONS
FALLOUT
GAMMA DOSIMETRY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
NEUTRON FLUENCE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PERFORMANCE
PERSONNEL DOSIMETRY
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION MONITORING
SENSITIVITY
WEAPONS