US3612868A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-sensitivity stimulated exoelectron emission radiation dosimeters
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1970-06-26
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1990-06-26
Abstract
Abstract An inert metal, such as palladium, platinum, or gold, in low concentration, impregnated or diffused to a sufficient depth in materials which exhibit the physical effect of stimulated exoelectron emission (SEE), substantially increases the radiation sensitivity of the SEE materials by permitting a larger percentage of exoelectrons to be emitted therefrom. The reproducibility of response is also increased. Impregnation or diffusion in such materials can be accomplished, for example, by thermal diffusion of metal layers into the surface or throughout the bulk material. The exact procedure for obtaining optimized sensitivity depends upon which inert metal is utilized with a given SEE material, the thickness of the metal, and the diffusion conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus H Becker
- 👤 Joseph S Cheka
- 👤 Richard B Gammage
- 👤 Eddie M Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
15 words
The dosimeter set forth in claim 1, wherein said selected dosimeter material is beryllium oxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dosimeter set forth in claim 1, wherein said selected inert metal is palladium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The dosimeter set forth in claim 1, wherein said selected inert metal is platinum.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for substantially increasing the sensitivity and reproducibility of response of an exoelectron emission radiation dosimeter material comprising the steps of impregnating the surface of said dosimeter material with an inert, chemically inactive metal selected from the group consisting essentially of palladium and platinum, and heating the impregnated dosimeter material for an empirically determined time at a selected temperature in the range from 400* C. to 1,500* C. for effecting the diffusion of said metal throughout at least a portion of said dosimeter material, whereby said preheated diffused dosimeter material will have a substantially improved radiation sensitivity and reproducibility of response when said material is utilized to measure doses of ionizing radiation, said radiation sensitivity and reproducibility of response being adapted to be determined by measuring the emission of exoelectrons during stimulation by means selected from the group consisting essentially of thermal and optical energy transfer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method set forth in claim 5, wherein said impregnation step comprises plating a surface layer of said inert metal onto said stimulated exoelectron emission material and diffusing at least a portion of said metal layer into said stimulated exoelectron emission material during said heating step, said heating time being of a selected value in the range from 10 hours to 3 days.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method set forth in claim 6, wherein any remaining nondiffused metal surface layer is removed after the heating step and prior to the use of the dosimeter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method set forth in claim 5, wherein said dosimeter material is beryllium oxide and said selected inert metal is coated on at least one surface of said dosimeter material prior to said heating step in an amount in the range from about 10 to 104 Mu g./cm.2
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 8, wherein said selected inert metal is palladium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 8, wherein said selected inert metal is platinum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method set forth in claim 6, wherein said dosimeter material is sintered beryllium oxide, and said selected inert metal is coated on at least one surface of said material prior to said heating step in an amount in the range from about 1- 15 mg./cm.2 , said temperature range being from 800* C. 1,500* C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method set forth in claim 11, wherein any remaining nondiffused metal surface layer is removed after the heating step and prior to the use of the dosimeter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 12, wherein said selected inert metal is palladium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 12, wherein said selected inert metal is platinum.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for substantially increasing the sensitivity and reproducibility of response of an exoelectron emission radiation dosimeter material comprising the steps of plating the surface of said material with a layer of an inert, chemically inactive metal selected from the group consisting essentially of palladium, platinum, and gold, said plating having a thickness of a selected value in the range from 1 to 15 mg./cm.2, heating the plated dosimeter material for an empirically determined time at a selected temperature in the range from 1,000* C. to 1,500* C. for effecting the diffusion and deep penetration of said metal throughout at least a portion of said dosimeter material, said heating time being of a selected value in the range from 10 hours to 3 days, and removing any remaining nondiffused metal surface layer from said material after said heating step and prior to the use of the dosimeter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 15, wherein said dosimeter material is beryllium oxide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 16, wherein said selected inert metal is palladium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 16, wherein said selected inert metal is platinum.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method set forth in claim 16, wherein said selected inert metal is gold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |