Composition and apparatus for detecting gamma radiation

Patent · Tue Aug 09 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:6978877

Hofstetter, K J

A gamma radiation detector and a radioluminescent composition for use therein. The detector includes a radioluminescent composition that emits light in a characteristic wavelength region when exposed to gamma radiation, and means for detecting said radiation. The composition contains a scintillant such as anglesite (PbSO[sub 4]) or cerussite (PbCO[sub 3]) incorporated into an inert, porous glass matrix via a sol-gel process. Particles of radiation-sensitive scintillant are added to, a sol solution. The mixture is polymerized to form a gel, then dried under conditions that preserve the structural integrity and radiation sensitivity of the scintillant. The final product is a composition containing the uniformly-dispersed scintillant in an inert, optically transparent and highly porous matrix. The composition is chemically inert and substantially impervious to environmental conditions including changes in temperature, air pressure, and so forth. It can be fabricated in cylinders, blocks with holes therethrough for flow of fluid, sheets, surface coatings, pellets or other convenient shapes. 3 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5336889
• Application Number: PPN: US 8-000309
• OSTI ID: 6978877
• 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
DESIGN
DETECTION
FABRICATION
GAMMA DETECTION
MATERIALS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PHOSPHORS
POROUS MATERIALS
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS