Ionizing Radiation Detector with Cascade Electrode Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro-strip gas chambers (MSGCs) face challenges such as electric discharges, charge accumulation on insulator substrates, high fabrication complexity, and limited suitability for high fluence ionizing radiation detection, requiring a robust and cost-effective solution for 2D radiation positioning without photolithography and synchronization electronics.
Innovation Solution
A radiation detector system comprising a cascade structure of anode strips and cathode films separated by insulator films, with a conductive grid creating a drift region for electron multiplication, and a charge-sensitive preamplifier and pulse height analyzer to extract and analyze electric pulses for radiation positioning, using a DC high voltage source to generate electric fields and prevent electric discharges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MSGC with photolithography is used, then 2D positioning capability is achieved, but fabrication complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the photolithography process from the fabrication method, replacing it with direct deposition techniques. This removes the complex multi-step photolithography工序 while maintaining the ability to create precise electrode patterns for 2D positioning, thereby reducing fabrication complexity without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal electrode structure where alternating anode and cathode strips serve multiple functions: they create the electric field for charge multiplication, define the pixel structure for 2D positioning, and eliminate the need for separate synchronization electronics. This multi-functionality achieves 2D positioning capability while simplifying the overall device architecture
2Quantity of substance
If high intensity electric field is applied for electron multiplication, then number of collected charges increases, but electric discharges and damage to electrodes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode structure into alternating thin anode and cathode strips separated by insulator substrates. This segmentation distributes the high electric field across multiple isolated regions, preventing charge accumulation that would lead to electric discharges, while still achieving sufficient charge multiplication in each local region
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material structures combining metal electrodes with insulator substrates. The insulator substrates provide electrical isolation between adjacent electrodes, preventing harmful electric discharges and damage, while allowing the metal electrodes to generate the necessary high intensity electric fields for electron multiplication in the gas medium
3Reliability
If insulator substrate is used to separate electrodes, then electrode isolation is achieved, but charge accumulation on substrate surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the insulator substrate, including material composition and surface properties, to reduce charge accumulation. By optimizing these parameters, the substrate maintains effective electrode isolation while minimizing the harmful effects of charge buildup that would otherwise distort the electric field and reduce multiplication efficiency
4Strength
If thin metal electrodes are used, then adhesion to insulator substrate is improved, but resistance to electric discharge and damage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where thin metal electrodes are combined with insulator substrates. The thin metal layers provide sufficient adhesion to the insulator substrate while the insulator material provides the necessary protection against electric discharge and damage. This composite approach allows the use of thin electrodes for good adhesion without sacrificing overall reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively detects and positions ionizing radiation with improved robustness and cost-effectiveness, capable of handling high rates of ionizing radiation and providing 2D positioning without the need for synchronization electronics, while preventing electric discharges and charge accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
A top edge of each of the plurality of anode strips sets may be disposed on the detection plane. Each of the plurality of insulator films may be disposed between a respective cathode film of the plurality of cathode films and a respective anode strips set of the plurality of anode strips sets
Implementation Method 2
In a process called secondary emission, when a single electron in an ionizing gas is accelerated by an electric field with a high enough intensity, extra electrons may be emitted. Therefore, by applying an electric potential between an anode and a cathode of a radiation gaseous detector, a high intensity electric field may be formed in a small multiplication region near the anode
Implementation Method 3
Radiation gaseous detectors are one of extensively used detection instruments used to extract energy, position, and timing information of particles. In radiation gaseous detectors, induced electrical signals are formed by collecting electric charges generated by ionizing particles in a gas
Implementation Method 4
A charge-sensitive preamplifier and a pulse height analyzer may be utilized to extract and analyze electric pulses of each pixel, respectively
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting a position of an ionizing radiation. The system includes a radiation detector including a plurality of cathode films, a plurality of anode strips sets, a plurality of insulator films, a conductive grid, and a drift region. Each set of the plurality of anode strips sets is disposed between a respective pair of adjacent cathode films of the plurality of cathode films. Each of the plurality of insulator films is disposed between a respective cathode film of the plurality of cathode films and a respective set of the plurality of anode strips sets. The conductive grid is disposed in parallel with the detection plane and exposed to the ionizing radiation. A drift region includes a region between the conductive grid and the detection plane. The radiation detector is configured to ionize a gas by generating an electric field inside the drift region.