Multi-Pixel Optical Sensor Nuclear Radiation Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation detectors using scintillators cannot effectively determine the directionality and spatial, temporal, energy, and wavelength characteristics of nuclear radiation, limiting their application in fields like plasma creation, materials science, and energy production.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a scintillator and a multi-pixel optical sensor, such as a dynamic vision sensor, positioned to receive photons emitted by the scintillator, which processes data signals to generate spatially and temporally resolved images of nuclear radiation, allowing for the determination of radiation characteristics like velocity, direction, and energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scintillator is used to detect nuclear radiation, then radiation detection capability is provided, but spatial, temporal, directional, and spectral resolution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent pixels, where each pixel detects photons from specific spatial locations and time points. This segmentation enables the system to capture spatial distribution, temporal sequences, and directional information of radiation interactions, transforming a single bulk detection into resolved multi-dimensional data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds temporal and spatial dimensions to traditional radiation detection by using a multi-pixel array that records not only the presence of radiation but also the precise location and timing of each photon detection event. This dimensional expansion allows reconstruction of radiation direction, speed, and spectral characteristics.
2Loss of information
If traditional radiation detectors are used, then radiation presence is detected, but directionality and velocity characteristics cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the spatial and temporal patterns of photon detections across multiple pixels as feedback to calculate radiation direction and velocity. By analyzing the sequence and location of detection events, the system reconstructs the trajectory and characteristics of incident radiation particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions multiple scintillator pixels in advance to cover different spatial locations and angles. This preliminary spatial arrangement enables the system to capture directional information from the moment radiation interacts with the detector, without requiring post-detection mechanical scanning or movement.
3Reliability
If scintillator material is used, then photon emission occurs in response to radiation, but external light interference affects detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an optically isolated environment for the scintillator and sensor by enclosing them in a light-tight housing. This inert optical atmosphere prevents external light from reaching the sensor, ensuring that only photons generated by radiation interactions with the scintillator are detected, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If multi-pixel optical sensor is used with scintillator, then spatial and temporal resolution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scintillator material directly with the multi-pixel optical sensor in an integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate coupling components and alignment mechanisms. This merging reduces structural complexity while maintaining the spatial and temporal resolution benefits of the multi-pixel architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-pixel optical sensor serves multiple functions simultaneously: detecting spatial distribution of radiation, temporal sequences of events, directional information through pattern analysis, and spectral characteristics through timing variations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized detectors for each measurement type.
Data Source
AI summary
A nuclear radiation detector is disclosed. The detector includes a housing including therein: a scintillator; and a multi-pixel optical sensor positioned, relative to the scintillator, to receive photons emitted by the scintillator in response to interactions with nuclear radiation. The housing isolates the scintillator and the multi-pixel optical sensor from external light. The detector includes one or more processors operably connectable to the multi-pixel optical sensor; and one or more data stores coupled to the processors having instructions stored thereon which cause the processors to perform operations. The operations include: responsive to the multi-pixel optical sensor detecting photons emitted by the scintillator, receiving, from the multi-pixel optical sensor, data signals indicating 1) spatial locations of individual pixels that detected the photons and 2) temporal data indicating when the detections occurred; and generating, from the data signals, a spatially and temporally resolved image of radiation incident on the scintillator.