Comparison of activation effects in γ-ray detector materials

Author

Truscott, P.R. ; Evans, H.E. ; Dyer, C.S. ; Peerless, C.L. ; Flatman, J.C. ; Cosby, M. ; Knight, P. ; Moss, C.E.

Author_Institution

Space Dept., Defence Res. Agency, Farnborough, UK

Volume

43

Issue

3

fYear

1996

fDate

6/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1510

Lastpage

1515

Abstract

Activation induced by cosmic and trapped radiation in γ-ray detector materials represents a significant source of background for space-based detector systems. Selection of detector materials should therefore include consideration of this background source. Results are presented from measurements of induced radioactivity in different scintillators activated either as a result of irradiation by mono-energetic protons at accelerator facilities, or flight on board the Space Shuttle. Radiation transport computer codes are used to help compare the effects observed from the scintillators, by identifying and quantifying the influence on the background spectra from more than one hundred of the radionuclides produced by spallation. For the space experiment data, the simulation results also permit determination of the contributions to detector activation from the different sources of radiation in the Shuttle cabin

Keywords

astronomical instruments; gamma-ray astronomy; gamma-ray detection; proton effects; solid scintillation detectors; space vehicles; γ-ray detector materials; CREAM; Space Shuttle; activation; cosmic ray; induced radioactivity; protons; radiation transport computer codes; scintillators; trapped radiation; Aircraft manufacture; Barium; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Instruments; Neutrons; Payloads; Protons; Radiation detectors; Space shuttles;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.507094

Filename

507094