Title: Electromagnetic and nuclear radiation detector using micromechanical sensors

Abstract

Electromagnetic and nuclear radiation is detected by micromechanical sensors that can be coated with various interactive materials. As the micromechanical sensors absorb radiation, the sensors bend and/or undergo a shift in resonance characteristics. The bending and resonance changes are detected with high sensitivity by any of several detection methods including optical, capacitive, and piezoresistive methods. Wide bands of the electromagnetic spectrum can be imaged with picoJoule sensitivity, and specific absorptive coatings can be used for selective sensitivity in specific wavelength bands. Microcantilevers coated with optical cross-linking polymers are useful as integrating optical radiation dosimeters. Nuclear radiation dosimetry is possible by fabricating cantilevers from materials that are sensitive to various nuclear particles or radiation. Upon exposure to radiation, the cantilever bends due to stress and its resonance frequency shifts due to changes in elastic properties, based on cantilever shape and properties of the coating.

Inventors:

Thundat, Thomas G ^[1]; Warmack, Robert J ^[1]; Wachter, Eric A ^[2]

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+ Show Inventor Affiliations

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Oak Ridge, TN

Issue Date:

2000-01-01

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

OSTI Identifier:

873240

Patent Number(s):

6118124

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (Oak Ridge, TN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01J - MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRA-RED, VISIBLE OR ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B82 - NANOTECHNOLOGY B82Y - SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES

B82Y35/00 - Methods or apparatus for measurement or analysis of nanostructures

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01J - MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRA-RED, VISIBLE OR ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT

G01J1/04 - Optical or mechanical part {supplementary adjustable parts}
G01J1/047 - {using extension/expansion of solids or fluids, change of resonant frequency or extinction effect}
G01J5/40 - using bimetallic elements
G01J5/44 - using change of resonant frequency, e.g. of piezo-electric crystal

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01G - CAPACITORS

H01G5/18 - due to change in inclination, e.g. by flexing, by spiral wrapping
H01G5/38 - Multiple capacitors, e.g. ganged

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC05-84OR21400

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

electromagnetic; nuclear; radiation; detector; micromechanical; sensors; detected; coated; various; interactive; materials; absorb; bend; undergo; shift; resonance; characteristics; bending; changes; sensitivity; detection; methods; including; optical; capacitive; piezoresistive; wide; bands; spectrum; imaged; picojoule; specific; absorptive; coatings; selective; wavelength; microcantilevers; cross-linking; polymers; useful; integrating; dosimeters; dosimetry; fabricating; cantilevers; sensitive; particles; exposure; cantilever; bends; due; stress; frequency; shifts; elastic; properties; based; shape; coating; radiation dosimeter; radiation dosimeters; wavelength bands; wide band; frequency shift; detection methods; detection method; nuclear radiation; active material; radiation detector; optical radiation; resonance frequency; active materials; wavelength band; absorb radiation; nuclear particles; specific wavelength; micromechanical sensors; electromagnetic spectrum; radiation dosimetry; elastic properties; mechanical sensors; mechanical sensor; nuclear particle; /250/