You are here

High Quantum Efficiency, Fast Detectors for the Readout of Scintillators for Gamma-Ray Detection

Award Information
Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Branch: N/A
Contract: HSHQDC-07-C-00042
Agency Tracking Number: 621021
Amount: $150,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2006
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
44 Hunt Street
Watertown, MA 02472
United States
DUNS: 073804411
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Kanai Shah
 Mr.
 (617) 668-6853
 KShah@Rmdinc.com
Business Contact
 Gerald Entine
Title: President
Phone: (617) 668-6801
Email: GEntine@Rmdinc.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Gamma-ray spectrometers consisting of inorganic scintillators coupled to optical detectors such as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are an important element of the systems that are used to monitor and prevent the spread of special nuclear materials. Two very important requirements for the scintillation detectors used as gamma-ray spectrometers in homeland security monitoring include high sensitivity and high energy resolution. New, bright scintillators such as cerium doped lanthanum bromide (LaBr3:Ce) exhibit very energy resolution. The energy resolution of LaBr3:Ce with PMT readout is at present limited by photoelectron statistics. The quantum efficiency of even the best PMTs over the emission spectrum of LaBr3:Ce (340-450 nm region) is quite low (about 20-30%). As a result, the low PMT quantum efficiency is one of the main factors that limits the energy resolution of LaBr3:Ce scintillators at present. As a result, the goal of the proposed project is to design, build and evaluate advanced, silicon based photodetectors that have very high quantum efficiency for scintillator readout and are also fast and compact.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government