SBIR Phase I: Gamma Ray Detector for Geophysical Exploration

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目是研究一种新的，高性能的闪烁探测器，最终用于核钻孔测井。核测井是地球物理研究和商业石油勘探的重要技术。测井可用于执行地下地质性质的远程表征，例如地层密度、页岩识别和化学成分。测井是通过将一个装有伽马射线探测器的工具插入到钻过地层的井眼中来进行的。测井应用中对X射线探测器的重要要求包括高探测效率、良好的能量分辨率、高计数率能力和耐用性。此外，探测器必须能够在钻孔中遇到的高温下工作。SBIR第一阶段项目是独一无二的，因为它将为地球物理研究提供更好的工具，并使人们更好地了解一种有前途的闪烁体，这种闪烁体可应用于测井以外的许多领域。 教学，培训和学习可以通过在各种环境中使用这种闪烁体来获得，例如物理实验和优化其性能所需的材料科学问题。 将利用与许多教育机构达成的协议来促进教学和培训。这些传感器应该以低成本提供高性能，这可以使教育机构的研究活动成为可能。在粒子物理学、放射化学和元素分析实验中可以获得有用的见解。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to investigate a new, high performance scintillation detector for eventual use in nuclear borehole logging. Nuclear borehole logging is an important technique for both geophysical research and commercial oil exploration. Well logging can be used to perform remote characterization of subsurface geological properties such as formation density, shale identification, and chemical composition. Well logging is performed by inserting a tool incorporating a gamma ray detector into a borehole drilled through the formation. Important requirements for the x-ray detectors used in well logging application include high detection efficiency, good energy resolution, high count-rate capability, and ruggedness. In addition, the detector must be capable of operation at high temperatures encountered in the borehole.This SBIR Phase I project is unique because it will provide better tools for geophysical research and lead to better understanding of a promising scintillator that can be applied to numerous fields beyond well logging. Teaching, training and learning can be gained by using this scintillator in various settings such as physics experimentation and from the materials science issues that are required to optimize its performance. Agreements with numerous educational institutions will be utilized to facilitate a teaching, and training. These sensors should offer high performance at low cost, which could enable research activities at educational institutions. Useful insights can be gained in particle physics, radiochemistry, and elemental analysis experiments.