Detector and method of operation
First Claim
1. A method of operation of a scintillator detector comprising a scintillator and a photodetector, the method comprising:
- periodically producing a light pulse;
impinging at least some of the light from a successive plurality of such light pulses onto a light-receptive part of the photodetector;
measuring the electrical response of the photodetector;
processing the electrical response of the photodetector to determine a pulse height and a variance of pulse height;
numerically processing the pulse height and variance of pulse height so determined to obtain at least a first data item characteristic of the response of the photodetector;
wherein a light source is provided configured to emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum;
periodically producing a light pulse including light in the ultraviolet spectrum;
impinging at least some of the UV light from a successive plurality of such light pulses onto a light-receptive part of the scintillator;
measuring the electrical response of the scintillator;
processing the electrical response of the scintillator to obtain at least a second data item characteristic of the response of the scintillator; and
the use of a visible light source impinging on the photodetector to obtain the first data item and thereby a measure of photodetector gain change and the use of a separate ultraviolet light source impinging on the scintillator to obtain the second data item and thereby a measure of scintillator brightness.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of operation of a scintillator detector includes a scintillator and a photodetector is described, together with a device embodying the method. The method includes the steps of: periodically producing a light pulse; impinging at least some of the light from a successive plurality of such light pulses onto a light-receptive part of the photodetector; measuring the electrical response of the photodetector; processing the electrical response of the photodetector to determine a pulse height and a variance of pulse height; numerically processing the pulse height and variance of pulse height so determined to obtain at least a first data item characteristic of the response of the photodetector.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of operation of a scintillator detector comprising a scintillator and a photodetector, the method comprising:
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periodically producing a light pulse; impinging at least some of the light from a successive plurality of such light pulses onto a light-receptive part of the photodetector; measuring the electrical response of the photodetector; processing the electrical response of the photodetector to determine a pulse height and a variance of pulse height; numerically processing the pulse height and variance of pulse height so determined to obtain at least a first data item characteristic of the response of the photodetector; wherein a light source is provided configured to emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum; periodically producing a light pulse including light in the ultraviolet spectrum; impinging at least some of the UV light from a successive plurality of such light pulses onto a light-receptive part of the scintillator; measuring the electrical response of the scintillator; processing the electrical response of the scintillator to obtain at least a second data item characteristic of the response of the scintillator; and the use of a visible light source impinging on the photodetector to obtain the first data item and thereby a measure of photodetector gain change and the use of a separate ultraviolet light source impinging on the scintillator to obtain the second data item and thereby a measure of scintillator brightness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification