Polymer and glass-matrix nanocomposites for scintillation applications

Author

Zhitao Kang ; Wagner, Brent K. ; Summers, Christopher J. ; Nadler, Jason ; Rosson, Robert ; Kahn, Bernd

Author_Institution

Sch. of Mater. Sci. & Eng., Georgia Inst. of Technol., Atlanta, GA, USA

fYear

2012

fDate

Oct. 27 2012-Nov. 3 2012

Firstpage

1688

Lastpage

1691

Abstract

Transparent polymer and glass-matrix based nanocomposite scintillators were developed for scintillation applications. Quantum dot polymer composites, fluoride nanophosphor epoxy composites and halide nanoparticle containing glass composites were prepared and studied for gamma-ray spectroscopy, X-ray imaging, alpha particle and neutron detection. The feasibility of nuclear detection and radiation imaging using these nanocomposites was demonstrated. Scintillation behavior was observed in all the polymer and glass matrix nanocomposite materials, but the most promising systems are the glass-matrix scintillators. Gamma ray photopeaks peaks were observed and compared to results obtained using NaI(TI) crystals. These materials show promise for applications in nuclear spectroscopy and radiation detection for nuclear physics, medicine and homeland security.

Keywords

II-VI semiconductors; X-ray imaging; filled polymers; gamma-ray effects; gamma-ray spectra; halide glasses; nanocomposites; nanofabrication; nanoparticles; neutron effects; phosphors; resins; scintillation; semiconductor quantum dots; transparency; wide band gap semiconductors; X-ray imaging; alpha particle; fluoride nanophosphor epoxy composites; gamma ray photopeaks; gamma-ray spectroscopy; glass matrix nanocomposite materials; glass-matrix based nanocomposite scintillators; halide nanoparticle; homeland security; medicine security; nuclear detection feasibility; nuclear physics; nuclear spectroscopy; polymer matrix nanocomposite material preparation; quantum dot polymer composites; radiation detection; radiation imaging; scintillation applications; transparent polymers;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference (NSS/MIC), 2012 IEEE

Conference_Location

Anaheim, CA

ISSN

1082-3654

Print_ISBN

978-1-4673-2028-3

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/NSSMIC.2012.6551399

Filename

6551399