Radiation energy measuring device

Abstract

To provide a radioactivity measuring device that can support reliable radiation analysis. [Solution] The radioactivity measuring device 10 comprises a radiation detector 11, an output unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a processing unit 16. The storage unit 15 stores spectral data based on the pulse height values ​​of the pulse signals output from the radiation detector 11. The output unit 14 displays the spectral data. The processing unit 16 controls the display of spectral data on the output unit 14. The processing unit 16 highlights predetermined noise region data related to desired peak region data in the spectral data displayed on the output unit 14. The noise region data is, for example, data of the backscatter peak region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a radioactivity measuring device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, when performing qualitative analysis of characteristic X-rays, a device (see, for example, Patent Document 1) that displays a wavelength spectrum and an energy spectrum on the same screen with a common energy axis is known. Conventionally, for example, a display device (see, for example, Patent Document 2) that sets the display range of spectrum data in real time or the like displayed in a spectrum display area according to the display range selected from a plurality of different display range histories displayed in a history selection area is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the energy spectrum of radiation obtained based on the pulse signal output from a radiation detector, in addition to the total energy absorption peak due to the photoelectric effect, other peaks and shapes such as edges appear according to various interactions between the radiation and each of the radiation detector and surrounding objects. For this reason, for example, when performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of radioactive substances, etc., when processing the energy spectrum of radiation, it is necessary for the operator to accurately understand various interactions between the radiation and the substance. However, for example, when processing an energy spectrum with a complex or special shape and when an inexperienced operator performs the processing, etc., there is a risk that appropriate processing cannot be performed quickly.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a radioactivity measuring device that can support reliable radiation analysis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following embodiments. (1) A radioactivity measuring device (10) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit (15) that stores spectral data based on the pulse height of a pulse signal output from a radiation detector (11), a display unit (14) that displays the spectral data, and a control unit (16) that controls the display unit, wherein the control unit highlights predetermined noise region data related to desired peak region data in the spectral data displayed on the display unit.

[0007] (2) In the radioactivity measuring device described in (1) above, the control unit may make the types of display modes for each of the related peak region data and noise region data the same.

[0008] (3) In the radioactivity measuring device described in (2) above, the control unit may use the noise region data as the backscatter peak region data.

[0009] (4) In the radioactivity measuring device described in (3) above, the control unit may set the degree of emphasis in the display mode according to the peak shape of the noise region data.

[0010] (5) In the radioactivity measuring device described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the storage unit may store information about the nuclide, and the control unit may set the noise region data based on the information about the nuclide.

[0011] (6) In the radioactivity measuring device described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the control unit may set the noise region data based on the peak region data in the spectral data.

[0012] (7) In the radioactivity measuring device described in (5) above, the storage unit stores simulated spectral data obtained by a simulation performed on the radiation detector, and the control unit may display at least one of the spectral data and the simulated spectral data in a single graph.

[0013] (8) In the radioactivity measuring device described in (5) above, the storage unit stores simulated spectral data obtained by a simulation performed on the radiation detector, and the control unit displays at least one of the spectral data and the simulated spectral data on a plurality of graphs that are arranged independently of each other or regularly, and may set at least one of the plurality of scales on the plurality of graphs to be independent of each other or to be the same. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to (1) above, by providing a control unit that highlights predetermined noise region data related to desired peak region data, reliable radiation analysis can be supported, even when processing spectral data with complex or special shapes, or when the processing is performed by an inexperienced operator.

[0015] In the case of (2) above, by providing a control unit that makes the display modes of the mutually related peak region data and noise region data the same, reliable and rapid radiation analysis can be supported.

[0016] In the case of (3) above, misidentification of the backscattering peak region can be suppressed.

[0017] In the case of (4) above, by providing a control unit that sets the degree of emphasis in the display mode according to the peak shape, reliable and rapid radiation analysis can be supported.

[0018] In the case of (5) above, the noise region data can be reliably set based on the information about the nuclide.

[0019] In the case of (6) above, regardless of information about the nuclide, etc., the noise region data can be appropriately set according to information on interactions that is already known in advance.

[0020] In the case of (7) above, based on the simulated spectrum data, the noise region data can be set with high reliability.

[0021] In the case of (8) above, while ensuring the diversity of the display mode of the spectrum data, based on the simulated spectrum data, the noise region data can be set with high reliability.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactive ray measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of a display screen at the output unit of a radioactive ray measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A diagram showing another example of a display screen at the output unit of a radioactive ray measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of highlighting on the display screen of a radioactive ray measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A diagram showing another example of highlighting on the display screen of a radioactive ray measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of a spectrum data table on the display screen of a radioactive ray measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Hereinafter, a radioactive ray measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The radioactive ray measurement device of the embodiment measures the radioactivity of a substance that emits radioactive rays such as γ-rays and X-rays. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a radioactive ray measurement device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the radioactivity measuring device 10 of the embodiment includes, for example, a radiation detector 11, a multi-wave height analyzer 12, an input unit 13 and an output unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a processing unit 16. The radiation detector 11 detects various types of radiation, such as gamma rays and X-rays. The radiation detector 11 can be, for example, a semiconductor detector made of a semiconductor such as germanium, silicon, or compound semiconductor (such as GaAs and CdTe), or a scintillation detector made of various scintillators such as organic, inorganic, liquid, or gaseous materials. In this embodiment, the radiation detector 11 is, for example, a germanium semiconductor detector equipped with a germanium crystal sensitive to radiation.

[0025] The multi-channel height analyzer 12 is an MCA (Multi-Channel Analyzer). The multi-channel height analyzer 12 calculates the height distribution of the output signal pulses (detection data) output from the radiation detector 11, that is, the count values ​​for each of the multiple channels that correspond to the height values. For example, when the radiation detector 11 outputs an output signal pulse with a height value corresponding to the energy of the radiation, the multi-channel height analyzer 12 creates an energy spectrum (spectral data) as the height distribution of the output signal pulses from the radiation detector 11.

[0026] The input unit 13 includes, for example, a touch panel, various switches, or a keyboard that outputs signals corresponding to the operator's input. The output unit 14 includes, for example, a display device that displays various information and data, and a speaker that outputs various sounds. The memory unit 15 stores, for example, data on nuclides and radiation, spectral data output from the multi-wave height analyzer 12, and simulated spectral data obtained from appropriate simulations. The simulated spectral data is created, for example, by appropriate simulations performed on the radiation detector 11 under appropriate measurement conditions.

[0027] The processing unit 16 is, for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal. Part of the processing unit 16 includes a software function unit that functions when a predetermined program is executed by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The software function unit is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that includes a processor such as a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, and electronic circuits such as a timer. Part of the processing unit 16 may also include an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration).

[0028] The processing unit 16, for example, comprehensively controls the operation of the radioactivity measuring device 10. The processing unit 16 performs processing such as spectral analysis and nuclide analysis on the energy spectrum of radiation generated by the multi-wave height analyzer 12.

[0029] The following describes the operation of the radioactivity measuring device 10 of this embodiment, specifically the output of spectral data by the output unit 14. Figure 2 shows an example of the display screen 20 on the output unit 14 of the radioactivity measuring device 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 3 shows another example of the display screen 20 on the output unit 14 of the radioactivity measuring device 10 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the processing unit 16 controls, for example, the display of a single spectral data on the display screen 20, as well as the display of multiple spectral data on the display screen 20. The multiple spectral data are appropriately selected from, for example, at least one spectral data output from the multi-wave height analyzer 12 and at least one simulated spectral data obtained from appropriate simulations, in accordance with appropriate processing by the processing unit 16 or input operations by the operator via the input unit 13.

[0030] The processing unit 16, for example, in the individual display format, displays multiple spectral data on multiple graphs arranged regularly or independently of each other, as shown in Figure 2. The processing unit 16 sets at least one of multiple types of scales on the multiple graphs independently or identically. For example, the multiple graphs shown in Figure 2 are identical semi-logarithmic graphs, with the vertical axis scale being a logarithmic display of the same type and scale size, and the horizontal axis scale being a linear display of the same type and scale size.

[0031] The processing unit 16, for example, in the overall display format, displays multiple spectral data on a single graph as shown in Figure 3. For example, the single graph shown in Figure 3 is a semi-logarithmic graph, where the vertical axis scale is logarithmic and the horizontal axis scale is linear.

[0032] For example, the spectral data shown in Figures 2 and 3 are the energy spectra of gamma rays. For example, the first spectrum Sa, which is the spectrum of interest, is based on detection by the radiation detector 11. 60 This is the energy spectrum of gamma rays emitted from Co. The second spectrum Sb, which is the first comparison spectrum in Figure 2, is based on appropriate simulations. 60 This is a simulated energy spectrum of gamma rays emitted from Co. The second comparison spectrum in Figure 2 and the third spectrum Sc, which is the first comparison spectrum in Figure 3, are based on detection by the radiation detector 11. 134 Cs and 137 This is the energy spectrum of gamma rays emitted from Cs, etc.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the processing unit 16 displays the energy spectrum of radiation on the display screen 20 of the output unit 14, it highlights predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges according to various interactions between the radiation and the radiation detector 11 and surrounding objects. For example, predetermined shapes according to the interaction of gamma rays incident on the radiation detector 11 include the total energy absorption peak (PP) due to the photoelectric effect, the Compton edge (CE) due to Compton scattering, the single escape peak and double escape peak due to electron-pair production, and the thumb peak due to the simultaneous detection of multiple gamma rays. For example, predetermined shapes according to the interaction between gamma rays and objects surrounding the radiation detector 11 include the backscatter peak (BS) due to backscattering. For example, the backscatter peak (BS) is, so to speak, a noise peak related to the total energy absorption peak (PP).

[0034] The processing device 16, for example, in the energy spectrum of radiation, sets the type of display mode to be the same for predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges corresponding to interrelated interactions. The type of display mode includes, for example, display color, display pattern, display shape, and the presence or absence of additional displays such as figures and characters. For example, in the spectrum of interest shown in Figures 2 and 3, channel regions (energy regions) with predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges corresponding to predetermined interactions are highlighted by band-shaped filling with the same hue. For example, the degree of emphasis (e.g., color intensity) in each display mode is set for the total energy absorption peak (PP), the Compton edge (CE) and backscatter peak (BS) associated with the total energy absorption peak (PP), etc., according to the type of interaction or the shape such as the sharpness of the peaks and edges. For example, the sharpness of the peaks and edges is set by the full width at half maximum in the spectral data.

[0035] When the processing unit 16 sets the correspondence between predetermined shapes such as interrelated peaks and edges, it performs at least one of the following processes: for example, processing based on nuclide and radiation data stored in the storage unit 15 beforehand, and processing based on spectral data displayed on the display screen 20, without relying on the nuclide and radiation data in the storage unit 15. The nuclide and radiation data includes, for example, the nuclide name, information such as the parent and daughter nuclides related to nuclide decay, half-life and half-life uncertainty, radiation energy, emission rate and emission rate uncertainty, predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges used for quantification, priority order of predetermined shapes, types of interactions corresponding to predetermined shapes, and attributes of each nuclide and predetermined shape. The attributes of each nuclide and predetermined shape are, for example, various conditions set for each nuclide and predetermined shape by the processing device 16 or the operator. The various conditions are, for example, whether or not to display them on the display screen 20 and whether or not to use them for quantification.

[0036] For example, when the processing unit 16 sets the correspondence between predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges based on spectral data on the display screen 20, it sets the correspondence between predetermined shapes such as related Compton edges (CE) and backscatter peaks (BS) with respect to the total energy absorption peak (PP). The processing unit 16 sets the Compton edge (CE) and backscatter peak (BS) associated with the total energy absorption peak (PP) based on the energy correspondence shown in the following formula (Equation 1). The following formula (Equation 1) is, for example, based on the energy E of the total energy absorption peak (PP) and the energy m0c of the annihilation gamma ray. 2 Based on (=511 keV), the energy E of the Compton edge (CE) CE and the energy E of the backscatter peak (BS) BS Describe it.

[0037]

number

[0038] The processing unit 16 switches the display mode of predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges in the spectral data on the display screen 20, for example, in response to appropriate processing by the processing unit 16 or input operations by the operator. Figure 4 shows an example of highlighting on the display screen 20 of the radioactivity measuring device 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 5 shows another example of highlighting on the display screen 20 of the radioactivity measuring device 10 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 shows an example of a spectral data table on the display screen 20 of the radioactivity measuring device 10 according to the embodiment.

[0039] In the example shown in Figure 4, the processing unit 16 highlights channel regions (energy regions) of a predetermined shape, such as peaks and edges, corresponding to a predetermined interaction, by surrounding them with a predetermined geometric shape such as a rectangle. In the example shown in Figure 5, the processing unit 16 highlights channel regions (energy regions) of a predetermined shape, such as peaks and edges, corresponding to a predetermined interaction, by adding arrows and text. In the example shown in Figure 6, the processing unit 16 presents the spectral data table by means of a pop-up display on the display screen 20, an additional display in a region different from the spectral data, or a screen switching display. The spectral data table shown in Figure 6 includes, for example, information on the shape of predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges in the spectral data, and data on nuclides and radiation. The information on shapes includes, for example, channels such as peaks and edges, full width at half maximum, and net count. The processing unit 16, for example, performs appropriate audio output to support the operator's perception of channel regions (energy regions) of predetermined shapes, such as peaks and edges, corresponding to predetermined interactions.

[0040] As described above, the radioactivity measuring device 10 of the embodiment includes a processing device 16 that highlights predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges related to the total energy absorption peak (PP). This enables reliable radiation analysis even when processing spectral data with complex or special shapes, or when the processing is performed by an inexperienced operator. The processing device 16 can support reliable and rapid radiation analysis by making the types of display modes for the interrelated total energy absorption peak (PP) and predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges corresponding to other interactions the same.

[0041] The processing device 16 can suppress misidentification of backscatter peaks (BS) by including backscatter peaks (BS) in predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges related to the total energy absorption peak (PP). The processing device 16 can support reliable and rapid radiation analysis by setting the degree of emphasis for each display mode according to the type of interaction or the shape, such as the sharpness of peaks and edges.

[0042] The processing unit 16 can reliably set predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges in accordance with various interactions based on nuclide and radiation data. The processing device 16 can reliably and appropriately set a predetermined shape according to various known interaction information, regardless of the nuclide and radiation data.

[0043] The processing unit 16 can reliably set predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges corresponding to various interactions based on simulated spectral data, while ensuring diversity in the display modes of spectral data.

[0044] (modified version) Modified examples of the embodiments are described below. Note that parts identical to those in the embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified. In the embodiments described above, the processing device 16 uses the same type of display mode for predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges corresponding to interrelated interactions in the energy spectrum of radiation, but is not limited to this. For example, the processing device 16 may set up groups of predetermined shapes such as peaks and edges corresponding to interrelated interactions for each of several different total energy absorption peaks (PPs), and use different types of display modes for each of several different groups. In other words, within the same group containing several different interactions, the relatively higher-level classification (e.g., hue) related to the type of display mode is kept the same, while the differences in interactions are distinguished by differences in the relatively lower-level classification (e.g., saturation or brightness) related to the type of display mode. Between different groups, the relatively higher-level classification (e.g., hue) related to the type of display mode is made different.

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10...Radioactivity measuring device, 11...Radiation detector, 12...Multi-wave height analyzer, 13...Input unit, 14...Output unit (display unit), 15...Storage unit, 16...Processing unit (control unit).

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores spectral data based on the pulse height value of the pulse signal output from a radiation detector, A display unit for displaying the spectral data, A control unit that controls the display unit and Equipped with, The control unit, In the spectral data displayed on the display unit, predetermined noise region data related to the desired peak region data is highlighted. Radioactivity measuring device.

2. The control unit, The types of display modes for each of the mutually related peak region data and noise region data are made the same. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit converts the noise region data into backscatter peak region data. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit sets the degree of emphasis in the display mode according to the peak shape of the noise region data. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 3.

5. The memory unit stores information about radionuclides, The control unit sets the noise region data based on the information regarding the nuclide. A radioactivity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The control unit sets the noise region data based on the peak region data in the spectral data. A radioactivity measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The memory unit stores simulated spectral data obtained by a simulation performed on the radiation detector. The control unit displays at least one of the spectral data and the simulated spectral data in a single graph. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 5.

8. The memory unit stores simulated spectral data obtained by a simulation performed on the radiation detector. The control unit, At least one of the spectral data and the simulated spectral data are displayed on a plurality of graphs that are arranged independently of each other or regularly, At least one of the multiple types of scales in the aforementioned graphs is set to be independent of or identical to each other. The radioactivity measuring device according to claim 5.

Images