Method and system for detecting ionizing radiation
First Claim
1. A method for detecting ionizing radiation emitted by a material located over an extended area without the need for moving a radiation detector having a detection axis substantially perpendicular to the area and located within a detector space, the method comprising:
- allowing ionizing radiation over a first narrow range of polar angles relative to the detection axis to enter the detector space and be detected by the detector while shielding ionizing radiation outside the first narrow range of polar angles from entering the detector space; and
allowing ionizing radiation over at least one other narrow range of polar angles different from the first narrow range of polar angles to enter the detector space and be detected by the detector while shielding ionizing radiation outside the at least one other narrow range of polar angles from entering the detector space until the ionizing radiation emitted by the material over the extended area has been detected.
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Abstract
A method and system for detecting ionizing radiation emitted by material located over an extended area are provided. The method and system include a radiation detector disposed within a detector space on a detection axis. An array of collimating louvers is positioned about the radiation detector and is movable between different polar positions or angles relative to the detection axis. A mechanism is provided for moving the array of collimating louvers between the different polar angles to collimate the ionizing radiation from different locations over the area. The detector produces electrical signals as a function of the polar positions of the array of collimating louvers.
28 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for detecting ionizing radiation emitted by a material located over an extended area without the need for moving a radiation detector having a detection axis substantially perpendicular to the area and located within a detector space, the method comprising:
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allowing ionizing radiation over a first narrow range of polar angles relative to the detection axis to enter the detector space and be detected by the detector while shielding ionizing radiation outside the first narrow range of polar angles from entering the detector space; and
allowing ionizing radiation over at least one other narrow range of polar angles different from the first narrow range of polar angles to enter the detector space and be detected by the detector while shielding ionizing radiation outside the at least one other narrow range of polar angles from entering the detector space until the ionizing radiation emitted by the material over the extended area has been detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for detecting ionizing radiation emitted by material located over an extended area, the system comprising:
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a support structure having a detector space;
a detector having a detection axis substantially perpendicular to the extended area and disposed within the detector space; and
an assembly located about the detector and including an array of spaced, parallel, collimating louvers movable together between different polar angles relative to the detection axis to allow ionizing radiation over narrow ranges of polar angles relative to the detection axis to enter the detector space and to be detected by the detector while shielding ionizing radiation outside the narrow ranges of polar angles from entering the detector space until ionizing radiation emitted by the material over the extended area has been detected. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification