Apparatus and method for detection, location, and identification of gamma sources
First Claim
9-1. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each scintillation crystal has a full width half magnitude energy resolution of less than 4% at 660 KeV.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation includes at least two scintillation crystals at angular offsets and directed toward a common plane of detection, photodetectors adjacent to each of the scintillation crystals for converting the light response of the scintillation crystals into distinct electrical signals, and a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal. The digital processing system monitors a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to a selected set of radioisotopes, and uses one or more of the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for a detected radioisotope in the plane of detection. Another scintillation crystal directed outside of the common plane of detection may be used for three-dimensional detection. Related methods for detection and location of gamma ray sources are discussed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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9-1. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each scintillation crystal has a full width half magnitude energy resolution of less than 4% at 660 KeV.
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10-2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each scintillation crystal detector comprises at least one end cap and at least one trim shield mounted parallel to the end cap.
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11. A method of detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation from a selected set of one or more radioisotopes, the method comprising:
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providing at least two scintillation detectors each comprising a scintillator crystal having a response varying with angular disposition with respect to a source, placing the at least two scintillation detectors at angular offsets to each other with respect to a common axis; producing at least one electrical signal for each scintillation detector in response to detected radiation; analyzing spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal at a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to said selected set of radioisotopes; and calculating from one or more of the electrical signals a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth with respect to the reference axis for at least one detected. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification