SBIR Phase I: Xenon 3D Detector for Gamma Ray Astronomy

SBIR 第一阶段：用于伽马射线天文学的氙 3D 探测器

• 批准号: 0215289
• 负责人: Jeffrey Lacy
• 金额: $ 10万
• 依托单位: PROPORTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2002
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2002-07-01 至 2003-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0215289&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Xenon; 3D; Detector

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project will seek to achieve a quantum leap in sensitivity of gamma ray astronomy in the 100 keV to 10 MeV region through development of a novel high pressure xenon (HPXe) detector element for imaging the region of interest. This development will incorporate (1) a cost-effective means of containing HPXe safely up to pressures of 3240 psig, (2) innovative means of measuring the spatial coordinates of gamma ray interactions within the HPXe detecting element for high quality spatial and angular measurements, and (3) novel methods of realizing the optimal spectroscopic properties of HPXe at a density of 0.55 g/cm3 to achieve an energy resolution approaching 0.45% at 1 MeV. A large array of such detecting elements could provide the ideal detector for a next generation HPXe Compton gamma ray telescope, having an angular resolution of a few tenths of a degree and providing a hundred-fold increase in sensitivity over that predicted for the upcoming Integral (SPI) satellite gamma observatory. A scaled down version of such a telescope could also be used for regional neutron activation analysis of the Martian surface, remote detection applications, or an excellent alternative to HPGe detectors currently used in laboratory settings.The anticipated outcome of this project is a new basic detector element, which can be used for a variety of space physics, field detection, and laboratory applications. The physical characteristics of such a detector combined with an order of magnitude improvement in energy resolution make it well suited for gamma detection in the 100 keV to 5 MeV band aboard satellite or balloon-borne instruments. Another very exciting application of this technology is a spectrometer for detection of radiation emitted as a result of neutron activation of the Martian surface. Such research could provide important data regarding planetary soil composition. In addition to astrophysics applications, a high energy resolution detector element based on high pressure xenon cylindrical detectors has significant commercial potential as a replacement for HPGe because the requirement of cryogenic cooling is eliminated, resulting in greater convenience and broader applicability. HPGe is currently employed in many laboratory settings, and the proposed technology could offer a cheaper and much more convenient alternative.

该小型企业创新研究 (SBIR) 项目将寻求通过开发用于对感兴趣区域进行成像的新型高压氙 (HPXe) 探测器元件，实现 100 keV 至 10 MeV 区域伽马射线天文学灵敏度的巨大飞跃。这项开发将包含 (1) 一种经济有效的方法，可安全容纳高达 3240 psig 的压力的 HPXe，(2) 测量 HPXe 检测元件内伽马射线相互作用的空间坐标的创新方法，以实现高质量的空间和角度测量，以及 (3) 在 0.55 密度下实现 HPXe 最佳光谱特性的新颖方法 g/cm3，在 1 MeV 下实现接近 0.45% 的能量分辨率。大量此类探测元件可以为下一代 HPXe 康普顿伽马射线望远镜提供理想的探测器，其角分辨率为十分之几度，并且灵敏度比即将推出的 Integral (SPI) 卫星伽马天文台的预测提高了一百倍。这种望远镜的缩小版本还可用于火星表面的区域中子活化分析、远程探测应用，或者是目前实验室环境中使用的 HPGe 探测器的绝佳替代品。该项目的预期成果是一种新的基本探测器元件，可用于各种空间物理、现场探测和实验室应用。这种探测器的物理特性与能量分辨率的数量级改进相结合，使其非常适合卫星或气球载仪器上 100 keV 至 5 MeV 波段的伽马探测。这项技术的另一个非常令人兴奋的应用是光谱仪，用于检测火星表面中子激活所发出的辐射。此类研究可以提供有关行星土壤成分的重要数据。除了天体物理学应用之外，基于高压氙柱探测器的高能量分辨率探测器元件作为 HPGe 的替代品具有巨大的商业潜力，因为消除了低温冷却的要求，从而带来更大的便利性和更广泛的适用性。 HPGe 目前在许多实验室环境中得到应用，所提出的技术可以提供更便宜、更方便的替代方案。