Single Crystal Radiation Source Location via Regional Response Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating radiation emitting sources require bulky, expensive devices with multiple detection crystals and complex software to assess directionality, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a single detection crystal, such as a scintillating, semiconducting, or charge collecting crystal, with strategically placed detectors to quantify regional radiation responses, allowing for minimized size, complexity, and cost while achieving full 4π angular resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple detection crystals arranged in a geometric pattern are used to assess directionality characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single detection crystal is segmented into multiple regions by placing detectors at different locations on the crystal surfaces. This segmentation allows each detector to measure radiation from specific directional regions, enabling directionality assessment without needing multiple separate crystals. The crystal itself remains intact while its measurement capability is divided spatially through detector placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a spatial arrangement of multiple crystals in 3D space to a temporal/signal-based differentiation approach. By using a single crystal and analyzing radiation responses at different times or through signal processing, the system achieves directionality information that would otherwise require multiple spatial detectors. This dimensional shift reduces physical complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple detection crystals arranged in a geometric pattern are used to assess directionality characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple detection functions that would traditionally require separate crystals are merged into a single detection crystal. By placing multiple detectors on the surfaces of one crystal, the system combines the detection capabilities of multiple crystals into a single physical component, thereby reducing overall device volume while maintaining the ability to assess directionality characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The single detection crystal is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: detecting radiation intensity, determining directionality, and providing spatial information about the radiation source. This multi-functionality is achieved through strategic detector placement and signal processing, eliminating the need for separate specialized detectors for each function and thus reducing device size.
3Measurement precision
If multiple detection crystals arranged in a geometric pattern are used to assess directionality characteristics, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the directionality assessment function from the physical arrangement of multiple crystals and relocates it to the signal processing domain. By using a single crystal and analyzing the temporal and signal characteristics of radiation responses, the system extracts directional information without requiring the expensive multiple-crystal hardware configuration, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a single, relatively simple detection crystal instead of multiple expensive crystals. While individual crystals are inexpensive, the cost-effectiveness is enhanced by reducing the total number of components required. The single crystal serves the same measurement functions as multiple crystals would provide, making the overall device more economical to manufacture and deploy.
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 efficient sensing, locating, and characterization of radiation sources with reduced device size, complexity, and cost, while maintaining accurate directionality assessment through regional radiation response analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the detection crystal is a scintillating detection crystal
Implementation Method 2
the detection crystal is a semiconducting detection crystal
Implementation Method 3
the detection crystal is a charge collecting detection crystal
Implementation Method 4
Appropriate detectors, such as photodetectors, are coupled adjacent to or disposed on selected surfaces of the detection crystal
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sensing, locating, and characterizing a radiation emitting source, including: a detection crystal having dimensions great enough such that regional differences in radiation response are generated in the detection crystal by radiation impinging on one or more surfaces of the detection crystal; and a plurality of detectors one or more of coupled to and disposed on a plurality of surfaces of the detection crystal operable for detecting the regional differences in radiation response generated in the detection crystal by the radiation impinging on the one or more surfaces of the detection crystal.