Microscintillator radioactivity detector

传统上，盖革计数器被用作辐射探测器；然而，由于无法确定所测量的辐射的能量，它们受到了限制。这个项目涉及开发一种新的微型放射性探测器，一种类似于盖革计数器的“微闪烁体”，但它有一个额外的好处，那就是它可以测量放射性粒子的能量。该装置能够测量计数率，类似于盖革计数器，但也可以区分不同能量的入射粒子。它体积小，功耗低，足以用于机载应用；我们相信它是同类中最小最便宜的探测器。它已经在高空气球和无人驾驶飞行器（uav）上进行了试验，并出售给世界各地的研究人员。本项目的目标是对仪器进行技术开发，例如通过简单的脉冲形状识别来区分不同的粒子类型，以及对探测器和测量系统进行优化。学生还将使用物理和工程软件来模拟设备的响应，并更好地理解和表征其在大气或太空中的测量。该项目涉及与气象技术领先开发商和制造商Biral的Alec Bennett博士合作，研究该仪器在环境科学市场的商业化。大部分项目将在布里斯托尔大学进行，但一些时间（根据安排）也将在布里斯托尔附近的波蒂斯黑德的Biral研究和制造工厂工作。

Traditionally, Geiger counters are used as radiation detectors; however, they are limited by their inability to determine the energy of the radiation they measure. This project involves development of a new miniature radioactivity detector, a "microscintillator" which is similar to a Geiger counter, but with the added benefit that it can measure the energy of the radioactive particle. The device is able to measure count rates, analogous to a Geiger counter, but can also differentiate between the different energies of incoming particles. It is also small and low-power enough for use in airborne applications; we believe it is the smallest and cheapest detector of its type available. It has already been trialled on high-altitude balloons and uncrewed airborne vehicles (UAVs), and units are being sold to researchers around the world.The goal of this project is to carry out technical development of the instrument, such as discrimination of different particle types through simple pulse shape identification, and optimization of the detector and measurement system. The student will also use both physics and engineering software to model the device's response and better understand and characterize its measurements in the atmosphere or in space.The project involves a collaboration with Dr Alec Bennett at Biral, a leading developer and manufacturer of meteorological technology, to investigate commercialization of the instrument for the environmental science market. Most of the project will be based at Bristol University, but some time (by arrangement) will also be spent working at Biral's research and manufacturing facility at Portishead near Bristol.