Fiber optic radiation monitor
First Claim
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1. A sensor for detecting the presence of underground radiation, comprising:
- a probe for penetrating an underground area of possible radiation;
a scintillating optical fiber housed within the probe for emitting light when exposed to radiation at the underground area, said scintillating optical fiber having a plurality of sections housed within the probe, each section of the scintillating optical fiber emitting a different wavelength corresponding to a selected radiation, said probe being provided with a plurality of windows such that each window is aligned with a corresponding section of the scintillating optical fiber, said windows providing energy discrimination;
a non-scintillating extension fiber having one end connected to the scintillating optical fiber for passing light emitted by the scintillating optical fiber;
photodetection means operatively connected to an opposite end of the extension fiber for receiving emitted light originating from the scintillating optical fiber and passed through the extension fiber, the photodetection means being for converting the light into a signal; and
electronic means for receiving the signal from the photodetection means and for indicating the presence of radiation at the underground area.
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Abstract
Scintillating optical fiber is used in a probe for detecting radiation. The scintillating optical fiber is fused to an extension fiber leading to optoelectronics such as p-intrinsic n-photodiodes or avalanche photodiodes. The fibers are housed in a durable probe body for penetration into the ground. When radiation is present, dopants in the scintillating fiber emit visible light through the extension fiber to the optoelectronics. Amplifiers are provided for monitoring the light intensity transmitted along the fibers and for triggering an alarm circuit signaling the presence of radiation at the probe.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A sensor for detecting the presence of underground radiation, comprising:
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a probe for penetrating an underground area of possible radiation; a scintillating optical fiber housed within the probe for emitting light when exposed to radiation at the underground area, said scintillating optical fiber having a plurality of sections housed within the probe, each section of the scintillating optical fiber emitting a different wavelength corresponding to a selected radiation, said probe being provided with a plurality of windows such that each window is aligned with a corresponding section of the scintillating optical fiber, said windows providing energy discrimination; a non-scintillating extension fiber having one end connected to the scintillating optical fiber for passing light emitted by the scintillating optical fiber; photodetection means operatively connected to an opposite end of the extension fiber for receiving emitted light originating from the scintillating optical fiber and passed through the extension fiber, the photodetection means being for converting the light into a signal; and electronic means for receiving the signal from the photodetection means and for indicating the presence of radiation at the underground area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification