Title :
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
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 :
aerospace instrumentation; astronomical instruments; cosmic ray apparatus; gamma-ray astronomy; gamma-ray detection; proton effects; solid scintillation detectors; γ-ray detector materials; Space Shuttle; activation effects; background; cosmic radiation; induced radioactivity; monoenergetic protons; radiation transport computer codes; scintillators; space-based detector systems; trapped radiation; Barium; Computational modeling; Crystalline materials; Energy measurement; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Predictive models; Protons; Radiation detectors; Space shuttles;
Conference_Titel :
Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference Record, 1995., 1995 IEEE
Conference_Location :
San Francisco, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-3180-X
DOI :
10.1109/NSSMIC.1995.504172
