Distribution type detector using scintillation fibers

Claim 2

A distribution type detector, comprising: a scintillation fiber for generating optical pulses, which propagate in both directions of said scintillation fiber, in response to a radiation or a light pulse in a given specific wavelength region; photosensitive elements, coupled to both ends of said scintillation fiber, for generating electrical signals in response to said optical pulses; amplifiers, coupled to said photosensitive elements, for amplifying said electrical signals output from said photosensitive elements; timing pulse generating circuits for outputting timing pulses based on said signals output from said amplifiers; a time-to-pulse height converter for generating a pulse signal having a pulse height proportional to a time difference between said timing pulses, said time difference being based on the optical pulses propagated in both directions of said scintillation fiber; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the pulse signal output from said time-to-pulse height converter into a digital signal; a multichannel pulse-height analyzer for counting said digital signal output from said analog-to-digital converter according to a value thereof; and signal delaying means for creating said time difference, measurable by said time-to-pulse height converter, between the timing pulses; said distribution type detector detecting an incident position of the radiation or the light pulse based on the time difference; said signal delaying means comprising an optical delay fiber which is made nonreactive to the radiation or the light pulse in the specific wavelength region.

Claim 3

A distribution type detector according to claim 1, wherein said optical delay fiber is disposed in a central portion of said scintillation fiber and said time-to-pulse height converter generates said pulse signal regardless of an order in which said timing pulses are input thereto.

Claim 4

A distribution type detector according to claim 2, further comprising a second analog-to-digital converter and a second multichannel pulse-height analyzer for measuring an energy spectrum of the optical pulse based on branched output signals, said branched output signals being obtained from an output produced from at least one of said two amplifiers.

Claim 5

A distribution type detector according to claim 3, wherein a loss produced due to a propagation distance of the optical pulse is compensated for based on information about the incident position of the radiation or the light pulse in the specific wavelength region.

Claim 6

A distribution type detector according to of claim 1, wherein said scintillation fiber comprises a plurality of fibers formed as a bundle.

Claim 7

A distribution type detector according to of claim 1, wherein said scintillation fiber comprises a plurality of fibers shaped in the form of a fiber plate.

Claim 8

A distribution type detector according to claim 6, further comprising a plurality of fiber plates disposed in parallel.

Claim 9

A distribution type detector according to claim 6, wherein at least one pair of a plurality of fiber plates are stacked on one another so that fiber extending directions in one of said fiber plates in said pair intersect at right angles to fiber extending directions in the other of said fiber plates in said pair.

Claim 10

A distribution type detector according to claim 1, wherein material for absorbing a low-energy radiation is disposed ahead of said scintillation fiber.

Claim 11

A distribution type detector according to claim 1, wherein material for backscattering a high-energy radiation is disposed behind said scintillation fiber.

Claim 12

A distribution type detector according to claim 1, wherein inorganic scintillation material is used as material for said scintillation fiber.

Claim 13

A distribution type detector according to of claim 1, wherein a light amplifier is inserted on a path of said scintillation fiber or said optical delay fiber.

Claim 14

A distribution type detector according to claim 12, wherein an optical fiber doped with a wavelength shifter material is inserted on an input side of said light amplifier.

Claim 15

A distribution type detector according to claim 1, wherein at least one radiation source for calibration is mounted in said scintillation fiber.

Claim 16

A distribution type detector according to claim 1, wherein at least one drive mechanism for moving said scintillation fiber is provided.

Claim 17

A distribution type detector according to claim 1, wherein said photosensitive elements are embedded in said scintillation fiber or said optical delay fiber.

Claim 18

A distribution type detector, comprising: a scintillation fiber for generating optical pulses in response to a radiation or a light pulse in a given specific wavelength region; a photosensitive element connected to one end of said scintillation fiber, for detecting the optical pulses and outputting signals; an amplifier for amplifying signals output from said photosensitive element; a timing pulse generating circuit for outputting timing pulses based on said signals output from said amplifier; a time-to-pulse height converter for generating a pulse signal having a pulse height proportional to a time difference between said timing pulses, said time difference being based on the optical pulses propagated in both directions of said scintillation fiber; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the pulse signal output from said time-to-pulse height converter into a digital signal; a multichannel pulse-height analyzer for counting said digital signal output from said analog-to-digital converter according to a value thereof; and signal delaying means for creating said time difference, measurable by said time-to-pulse height converter, between said timing pulses; said distribution type detector detecting an incident position of the radiation or the light pulse based on the time difference; said signal delaying means comprising an optical delay fiber which is made nonreactive to the radiation or the light pulse in the specific wavelength region, one end of said optical delay fiber is connected to the other end of said scintillation fiber, and the other end of said optical delay fiber is connected to said photosensitive element.

Claim 19

A distribution type detector, comprising: a scintillation fiber for generating optical pulses in response to a radiation or a light pulse in a given specific wavelength region; a photosensitive element connected to one end of said scintillation fiber, for detecting the optical pulses and outputting signals; an amplifier for amplifying signals output from said photosensitive element; a timing pulse generating circuit for outputting timing pulses based on said signals output from said amplifier; a time-to-pulse height converter for generating a pulse signal having a pulse height proportional to a time difference between said timing pulses, said time difference being based on the optical pulses propagated in both directions of said scintillation fiber; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the pulse signal output from said time-to-pulse height converter into a digital signal; a multichannel pulse-height analyzer for counting said digital signal output from said analog-to-digital converter according to a value thereof; and signal delaying means for creating said time difference, measurable by said time-to-pulse height converter, between said timing pulses; said distribution type detector detecting an incident position of the radiation or the light pulse based on the time difference; said signal delaying means comprising an optical delay fiber which is made nonreactive to the radiation or the light pulse in the specific wavelength region, one end of said optical delay fiber is connected to the other end of said scintillation fiber, and the other end of said optical delay fiber is connected to said photosensitive element.

Claim 20

A distribution type detector, comprising: a scintillation fiber for generating optical pulses in response to a radiation or a light pulse in a given specific wavelength region; a photosensitive element connected to one end of said scintillation fiber, for detecting the optical pulses and outputting signals; an amplifier for amplifying signals output from said photosensitive element; a timing pulse generating circuit for outputting timing pulses based on said signals output from said amplifier; a time-to-pulse height converter for generating a pulse signal having a pulse height proportional to a time difference between said timing pulses, said time difference being based on the optical pulses propagated in both directions of said scintillation fiber; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the pulse signal output from said time-to-pulse height converter into a digital signal; a multichannel pulse-height analyzer for counting said digital signal output from said analog-to-digital converter according to a value thereof; and signal delaying means for creating said time difference, measurable by said time-to-pulse height converter, between said timing pulses; said distribution type detector detecting an incident position of the radiation or the light pulse based on the time difference; said signal delaying means comprising an optical delay fiber which is made nonreactive to the radiation or the light pulse in the specific wavelength region, one end of said optical delay fiber is connected to the other end of said scintillation fiber, and a reflector is attached to the other end of said optical delay fiber.

Claim 21

A distribution type detector, comprising: a scintillation fiber for generating optical pulses in response to a radiation or a light pulse in a given specific wavelength region; a photosensitive element connected to one end of said scintillation fiber, for detecting the optical pulses and outputting signals; an amplifier for amplifying signals output from said photosensitive element; a timing pulse generating circuit for outputting timing pulses based on said signals output from said amplifier; a time-to-pulse height converter for generating a pulse signal having a pulse height proportional to a time difference between said timing pulses, said time difference being based on the optical pulses propagated in both directions of said scintillation fiber; an analog-to-digital converter for converting the pulse signal output from said time-to-pulse height converter into a digital signal; a multichannel pulse-height analyzer for counting said digital signal output from said analog-to-digital converter according to a value thereof; and signal delaying means for creating said time difference, measurable by said time-to-pulse height converter, between said timing pulses; said distribution type detector detecting an incident position of the radiation or the light pulse based on the time difference; said signal delaying means comprising an optical delay fiber which is made nonreactive to the radiation or the light pulse in the specific wavelength region, one end of said optical delay fiber is connected to the other end of said scintillation fiber, and a reflector is attached to the other end of said optical delay fiber.