Fluorescent Radiation Sensor Using Light Absorption Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation measurement devices require complex and expensive photomultiplier tubes or high-sensitivity measuring devices due to the minuscule amount of fluorescent light emitted by scintillators, leading to increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with a sensing portion containing fluorescent material that ceases to emit light when irradiated by a neutron beam, allowing the measuring portion to quantify radiation based on the decrease in fluorescent light intensity, thereby reducing the need for additional materials and maintaining transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scintillator is used to measure radiation, then the radiation can be detected, but the fluorescent light emitted is minuscule requiring complex and expensive photomultiplier tubes or high-sensitivity measuring devices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of measuring the light emitted by the scintillator directly, the invention measures the light absorbed by the scintillator. The sensing portion contains fluorescent material that emits light when excited, and the scintillator absorbs a portion of this light in proportion to the radiation dose received. By measuring the decrease in fluorescent light intensity, the radiation amount can be determined using simple photometric equipment rather than complex photomultiplier tubes.
2Measurement precision
If a scintillator is used to measure radiation, then the radiation can be detected, but expensive photomultiplier tubes or extremely high-sensitivity measuring devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the measurement approach by having the scintillator absorb fluorescent light rather than emit it for measurement. This allows the use of inexpensive photodetectors and standard photometric equipment instead of costly photomultiplier tubes, significantly reducing device cost while maintaining measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If additional materials are added to the sensing portion to enhance measurement capability, then measurement sensitivity may improve, but the transparency of the sensing portion decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for additional light-reflecting or light-concentrating materials by measuring the light absorbed by the scintillator. The sensing portion maintains high transparency as it only requires the fluorescent material and scintillator, without complex optical structures or additional functional materials.
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 device measures radiation with high sensitivity and precision by utilizing the change in fluorescent properties of the material in response to neutron irradiation, without the need for complex or expensive measurement equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the fluorescent material whose emitting of fluorescent light ceases due to the action of the radioactive beam
Implementation Method 2
In a case where the sensing portion is irradiated by the radioactive beam, the radioactive beam acts on at least a portion of the fluorescent material. The emitting of the fluorescent light is stopped in at least the portion of the fluorescent material on which the radioactive beam has acted.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(m)
AI summary
This measurement device (1) is provided with a sensing portion (3) including at least a fluorescent substance for which the emission of fluorescence is stopped through the effect of radiation and a measurement unit (5) for measuring the dose of radiation irradiated onto the sensing portion (3) on the basis of the amount by which the intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent substance included in the sensing portion (3) decreases through the effect of the radiation on at least a portion of the fluorescent substance. The fluorescent substance includes at least one from among lithium, boron, and gadolinium. The measurement device (5) measures the dose on the basis of a value arrived at by subtracting the intensity of the fluorescence after the radiation has been irradiated onto the sensing portion (3) from the intensity of the fluorescence before the radiation was irradiated onto the sensing portion (3).