Single Photodetector Dose Determination Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for determining the dose deposited in a scintillator by ionizing radiation are expensive, energy-consuming, and have limited sensitivity due to the use of two photodetectors and complex coincidence counting methods.
Innovation Solution
A device using a single low-noise photodetector operating in a single photon counting regime, coupled with an analyzer that calculates the dose from the total intensity of light measured, with predetermined constants based on the scintillator and radiation type, and optionally includes attenuators to ensure single photon counting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two photodetectors operating in coincidence counting mode are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates one of the two photodetectors from the coincidence counting system, retaining only a single photodetector. This reduction directly decreases device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining measurement capability through alternative methodology (integrating total light intensity rather than counting coincidences).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the complex two-photon coincidence detection method with a simplified single-photon total intensity integration method. This copying approach uses a different detection paradigm that achieves equivalent measurement reliability without requiring multiple photodetectors or complex coincidence electronics.
2Measurement precision
If two photodetectors with coincidence counting electronics are used, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the energy-intensive coincidence counting electronics and one photodetector from the system. By eliminating these components, energy consumption is significantly reduced while dose determination precision is maintained through direct integration of total light intensity from the scintillator.
Solution Approach 2:
The single photodetector system performs self-sufficient dose measurement by directly integrating total light intensity without requiring complex coincidence processing electronics. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional processing circuits that would increase energy consumption.
3Measurement precision
If coincidence counting method is used, then dose determination accuracy is improved, but sensitivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the detection approach by instead of counting discrete coincidence events (which misses most photons), it integrates the total light intensity from all scintillation photons. This inversion captures nearly all emitted photons, dramatically improving detection sensitivity while maintaining dose determination accuracy through the established relationship between total intensity and deposited dose.
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 solution provides higher sensitivity and lower costs, allowing for precise determination of ionization, excitation, and total doses with improved energy efficiency and reduced complexity, while being more compact and sensitive than previous methods.
Implementation Method 1
a scintillator (4) configured to be irradiated by ionizing radiation and capable of emitting scintillation photons upon interaction with the ionizing radiation
Implementation Method 2
a measuring device comprising a single photodetector (7), said photodetector being a low-noise photodetector, the determination device being configured so that the photodetector operates in single-photon counting mode
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
This device (1) for determining a dose deposited in a scintillator (4) by an ionising radiation, comprises: - a scintillator (4) configured to be irradiated by the ionising radiation and capable of emitting scintillation photons during interaction with the ionising radiation; - a measurement device comprising a single photodetector (7), said photodetector (7) being a low-noise photodetector, the determination device (1) being configured in such a way that the photodetector (7) functions in single photon counting mode, the photodetector (7) supplying, at the output of same, a measurement of the total intensity of light received by the photodetector (7) from the scintillator (4); and - an analyser (10) configured to determine a dose deposited in the scintillator (4) by the ionising radiation from the total intensity alone of light measured by the photodetector (7) and a predetermined constant dependent only on the scintillator (4), the light output of the determination device (1) and the type of ionising radiation.