Portable POSL Reader for Field Radiation Dose Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing OSL readers require complex optical systems, high power lasers, and sophisticated electronics, making them bulky, power-intensive, and impractical for field measurements, while also being less sensitive and accurate compared to pulsed optically stimulated luminescence (POSL) methods.
Innovation Solution
A portable, battery-operated POSL reader equipped with a low power microprocessor that uses LED illumination and a photodetector to count photon pulses, allowing for fast and accurate determination of radiation dose without the need for a personal computer, featuring a compact design and self-contained operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional OSL readers use high power YAG lasers and complex optical systems, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex traditional OSL reader system. By removing unnecessary components like high power YAG lasers, complex optical systems, sophisticated gating electronics, stand-alone photon counters, and personal computers, the invention retains only the core elements needed for radiation dose measurement: LED illumination source, photodetector, and microprocessor-based control and counting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simplified LED-based illumination system that copies the essential function of the traditional laser system. The LED generates optical stimulation sufficient for OSL measurement without requiring the complex infrastructure of high power lasers, thereby achieving comparable measurement capability with dramatically reduced system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If traditional OSL readers use high power lasers and sophisticated electronics, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, high-power, continuous-operation laser systems with inexpensive, low-power LED illumination sources. The LED provides sufficient optical stimulation for OSL measurement with minimal power consumption, enabling battery-operated portable operation. This substitution of a lower-cost, lower-power component achieves the measurement function without the energy demands of traditional systems.
3Measurement precision
If traditional OSL readers use complex optical systems and stand-alone components, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate components into an integrated portable system. The microprocessor performs multiple functions: controlling the LED illumination timing, counting photon pulses from the photodetector, calculating radiation dose, and storing results. This consolidation of control, counting, calculation, and storage functions into a single microprocessor unit eliminates the need for separate personal computers and complex interconnections, creating a self-contained portable device that is easy to operate in field conditions.
4Measurement precision
If traditional OSL readers use pulsed optically stimulated luminescence mode, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and electronic control systems with a microprocessor-based digital control system. The microprocessor generates precise timing signals for LED illumination pulses and photon counting, replacing the need for sophisticated gating electronics and analog timing circuits. This digital substitution simplifies the system while maintaining the pulsed POSL measurement mode and its associated measurement precision.
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
Enables fast, accurate, and reliable radiation dose measurements in the field with high signal-to-noise ratio and low depletion per read, using a compact, portable device that can record multiple measurements and extend the dynamic range of dose measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an LED light source for emitting a green illumination light for illuminating an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensor
Implementation Method 2
illuminating an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensor with illumination light from an LED
Implementation Method 3
a photodetector for detecting of green luminescent light emitted by the OSL sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a method for determination of an unknown radiation dose to which an optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensor has been exposed utilizing a pulsed optically stimulated luminescence (POSL) technique and a battery operated portable instrument.