Radiation probe
First Claim
1. A method of monitoring nuclear radiation comprising:
- a) providing a diamond radiation sensor element having a nitrogen impurity concentration of less than 150 ppm;
b) subjecting the sensor element to nuclear radiation;
c) stimulating the sensor element with light of a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths shorter than the wavelength of light emitted from the sensor element; and
d) monitoring resultant light emissions from the sensor element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The instant invention relates to a method and an apparatus of monitoring nuclear radiation. The method utilizes a diamond radiation sensor element having a nitrogen impurity concentration of less than 150 ppm. The sensor element is subjected to nuclear radiation, while being stimulated with light of a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths, preferably in the ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet range, resulting in light emissions from the sensor element. Typically, the sensor element is fixed to the end of an optical fibre, the far end of the fibre being used to channel stimulating light to the sensor element and to feed resultant light emissions from the sensor element to a photomultiplier tube.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of monitoring nuclear radiation comprising:
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a) providing a diamond radiation sensor element having a nitrogen impurity concentration of less than 150 ppm; b) subjecting the sensor element to nuclear radiation; c) stimulating the sensor element with light of a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths shorter than the wavelength of light emitted from the sensor element; and d) monitoring resultant light emissions from the sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A sensor for monitoring nuclear radiation comprising:
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a) a diamond radiation sensor element having a nitrogen impurity concentration of less than 150 ppm; b) a light conduit adapted to be attached to or held adjacent to the sensor element, the light conduit having an input portion which can be fed with light of a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths shorter than the wavelength of light emitted by the sensor element to stimulate the sensor element, and an output portion which can direct resultant light emissions from the sensor element to monitoring means; and c) filter means arranged to pass light emitted by the sensor element to the monitoring means and to reject the shorter wavelength stimulating light. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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19. A sensor for monitoring nuclear radiation comprising:
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a) a diamond radiation sensor element having a nitrogen impurity concentration of less than 150 ppm; b) a light tight housing defining a cavity in which the sensor element is supported; c) a probe engagable with the cavity in the housing and including at least one light conduit having an input portion which can be fed with light of a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths shorter than the wavelength of light emitted from the sensor element to stimulate the sensor element, and an output portion which can direct resultant light emissions from the sensor element to monitoring means; and d) filter means arranged to pass light emitted by the sensor element to the monitoring means and to reject the shorter wavelength stimulating light. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification