Versatile Hg2Br2 scintillation detector for wearable, real-time detection of alpha-particles in drinking water, as well as other forms of nuclear radiations with excellent radiation hardness

Henry Chen; Joo-Soo Kim; Priyanthi M. Amarasinghe; Julie Q. Wen; S. Kutcher; Sudhir Trivedi; Chad Forrest; Jing Cheng; Roman Sobolewski; James O. Jensen; Janet Jensen

doi:10.1117/12.3027256

9 October 2024 Versatile Hg2Br2 scintillation detector for wearable, real-time detection of alpha-particles in drinking water, as well as other forms of nuclear radiations with excellent radiation hardness

Henry Chen, Joo-Soo Kim, Priyanthi M. Amarasinghe, Julie Q. Wen, S. Kutcher, Sudhir Trivedi, Chad Forrest, Jing Cheng, Roman Sobolewski, James O. Jensen, Janet Jensen

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13151, Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XXVI; 1315103 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3027256
Event: Optical Engineering + Applications, 2024, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Currently, there are 4 existing methods that are used for alpha particle detection in water: Gas flow proportional counter, PMT-based scintillation counter, liquid scintillation counting and alpha-particle spectrometry. However, NONE of these existing methods can be tested directly in water or in real-time due mainly to the limitation of the detector material itself as well as associated device design. These existing detector technologies all require some form of evaporation, sample preparation as well as laboratories test procedures in the lab, which is clearly not practical for time-critical situations as in war-fare environment or future threads. In this work, we report the development of a novel scintillation detector material and its associated device design, the ultra-compact, lightweight SiPM-based Hg2Br2 scintillation detector that can directly detect gross alpha in drinking water in the field, and in real-time while being wearable as needed, especially for soldiers and military personnel in general. This novel detector does not require test sample preparation. Besides environmental and health safety, the detector also has additional capabilities such as energy discrimination and good counting efficiency so that it can be practically used in low radioactivity scenarios. Moreover, the novel Hg2Br2 scintillation detector material is also simultaneously capable of detecting other forms of radiation emanating from radioactive materials, including dual gamma-neutron detection capability, and having excellent radiation hardness.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Henry Chen, Joo-Soo Kim, Priyanthi M. Amarasinghe, Julie Q. Wen, S. Kutcher, Sudhir Trivedi, Chad Forrest, Jing Cheng, Roman Sobolewski, James O. Jensen, and Janet Jensen "Versatile Hg2Br2 scintillation detector for wearable, real-time detection of alpha-particles in drinking water, as well as other forms of nuclear radiations with excellent radiation hardness", Proc. SPIE 13151, Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Neutron Detector Physics XXVI, 1315103 (9 October 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3027256

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