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US5336889A
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Composition and apparatus for detecting gamma radiation
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1993-01-04
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Granted: 1994-08-09
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Expires: 2013-01-04
Abstract
Abstract A gamma radiation detector and a radioluminiscent composition for use therein. The detector includes a radioluminscent composition that emits light in a characteristic wavelength region when exposed to gamma radiation, and means for detecting said radiation. The composition contains a scintillant such as anglesite (PbSO 4 ) or cerussite (PbCO 3 ) incorporated into an inert, porous glass matrix via a sol-gel process. Particles of radiation-sensitive scintillant are added to, a sol solution. The mixture is polymerized to form a gel, then dried under conditions that preserve the structural integrity and radiation sensitivity of the scintillant. The final product is a composition containing the uniformly-dispersed scintillant in an inert, optically transparent and highly porous matrix. The composition is chemically inert and substantially impervious to environmental conditions including changes in temperature, air pressure, and so forth. It can be fabricated in cylinders, blocks with holes therethrough for flow of fluid, sheets, surface coatings, pellets or other convenient shapes.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth J. Hofstetter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/20; G01T1/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
A composition for use in detecting gamma radiation, said composition consisting essentially of: a porous glass; and a scintillant dispersed in said porous glass, said scintillant emitting light in response to gamma radiation incident thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A composition for use in detecting gamma radiation, said composition consisting essentially of: a porous glass; and a scintillant dispersed in said porous glass, said scintillant emitting light in response to gamma radiation incident thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said scintillant is selected from the group consisting essentially of anglesite, cerussite, and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said porous glass is an aerogel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition as recited in claim 1, wherein said porous glass is substantially transparent to light emitted by said scintillant.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for detecting gamma radiation, said apparatus comprising: a composition, said composition consisting essentially of a porous glass matrix, and a scintillant dispersed in said porous glass matrix, said scintillant emitting light in a characteristic wavelength region when gamma radiation is incident thereon; and means for detecting the emitted light, said light-detecting means positioned with respect to said glass matrix to intercept at least a portion of the emitted light.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus for detecting gamma radiation, said apparatus comprising: a composition, said composition consisting essentially of a porous glass matrix, and a scintillant dispersed in said porous glass matrix, said scintillant emitting light in a characteristic wavelength region when gamma radiation is incident thereon; and means for detecting the emitted light, said light-detecting means positioned with respect to said glass matrix to intercept at least a portion of the emitted light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said scintillant is in the form of particles less than approximately 40 μm in size, and wherein said scintillant is selected from the group consisting essentially of anglesite, cerussite, and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said matrix is a nonhygroscopic aerogel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said matrix has a porosity of at least approximately 80 vol. % and a specific surface area of at least approximately 1000 m 2 /g.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A gamma radiation detector, said detector comprising: a composition, said composition consisting essentially of a porous glass matrix and a scintillant, said scintillant emitting light in a characteristic wavelength region when gamma radiation is incident thereon and said matrix transmitting at least a portion of the emitted light, said composition prepared by a process including the steps of mixing particles of said scintillant with a sol to form a mixture, polymerizing said mixture to form a gel, and drying said gel; and means for detecting the transmitted light, said light-detecting means positioned to intercept at least a portion of the transmitted light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A gamma radiation detector, said detector comprising: a composition, said composition consisting essentially of a porous glass matrix and a scintillant, said scintillant emitting light in a characteristic wavelength region when gamma radiation is incident thereon and said matrix transmitting at least a portion of the emitted light, said composition prepared by a process including the steps of mixing particles of said scintillant with a sol to form a mixture, polymerizing said mixture to form a gel, and drying said gel; and means for detecting the transmitted light, said light-detecting means positioned to intercept at least a portion of the transmitted light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The detector as recited in claim 9, wherein said scintillant is selected from the group consisting essentially of anglesite, cerussite, and combinations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The detector as recited in claim 9, wherein said scintillant has a melting point and said process steps are carried out at temperatures less than said melting point.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The detector as recited in claim 9, wherein said scintillant has a decomposition point and said process steps are carried out at temperatures less than said decomposition point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The detector as recited in claim 9, wherein said matrix is a nonhygroscopic aerogel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The detector as recited in claim 9, wherein said matrix has a porosity of at least approximately 80 vol. % and a specific surface area of at least approximately 1000 m 2 /g.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The detector as recited in claim 9, wherein 100 grams of said composition contains at least approximately 10 grams of said scintillant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The detector as recited in claim 9, wherein 100 grams of said composition contains at least approximately 50 grams of said scintillant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-08 | 1998-02-07 | 1998-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-08 | 2002-02-07 | 2002-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-08 | 2006-02-07 | 2006-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |