US6140651A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optically stimulated, fast neutron sensor and dosimeter and fiber-optic coupled fast neutron remote sensor and dosimeter
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1998-02-18
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Granted: 2000-10-31
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Expires: 2018-02-18
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for the measurement of fast neutrons is described.he apparatus comprises a proton radiator with a doped glass, such as a Nd-doped glass containing ZnS:Cu. The dosimeter may be read by either laser heating or infrared stimulation of the glass or by direct scintillation. The fast neutron dose in a mixed field of gamma rays and fast neutrons can be measured by comparison of a dosimeter without a proton radiator and a dosimeter with a proton radiator.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian L. Justus
- 👤 Alan L. Huston
- 👤 Alan L. Justus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T3/00; G01T3/06; G01T1/00; G01T1/02; G01T1/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
A fast neutron sensing device comprising: a proton radiator coated on a doped glass selected from the group consisting of a doped glass that exhibits light stimulatable thermoluminescence, a doped glass that exhibits light stimulatable luminescence and a doped glass that exhibits scintillation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
43 words
A fast neutron sensing device comprising: a proton radiator coated on a doped glass selected from the group consisting of a doped glass that exhibits light stimulatable thermoluminescence, a doped glass that exhibits light stimulatable luminescence and a doped glass that exhibits scintillation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 1 wherein: said proton radiator is selected from thermoplastic resin and thermoset resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 2 wherein: said thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 3 wherein: said polyethylene is high density polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 1 further including: a second sensing device adjacent to said fast neutron sensing device, said second sensing device comprising a proton nonradiator coated on a second doped glass, or comprising an uncoated second doped glass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 1 wherein said fast neutron sensing device is a remote fast neutron sensing device, said doped glass exhibiting scintillation, comprising: an optical fiber; said fast neutron sensing device being coupled to a first end of said optical fiber for transmitting scintillation light from said fast neutron sensing device; and means coupled to a second end of said optical fiber for detecting the scintillation light from said fast neutron sensing device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 6 further including: a lens disposed between said optical fiber and said detecting means for collimating the scintillation light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 6 further including: a second remote sensing device adjacent to said first remote fast neutron sensing device, said second remote fast sensing device comprising a proton nonradiator coated on a second doped glass or comprising an uncoated second doped glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 6 wherein: said means for detecting the scintillation light is selected from the group consisting of a photomultiplier tube, photodiode and photoconductor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 1, wherein said fast neutron sensing device is a remote fast neutron sensing device, said doped glass in said device exhibiting light stimulable luminescence, comprising: a light source; an optical fiber for transmitting light from said light source; said fast neutron sensing device being coupled to said optical fiber, said optical fiber transmitting light stimulable luminescence from said fast neutron sensing device; means for separating the luminescence light from the stimulating light; and means for detecting the luminescence.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 10 wherein: said separating means is a dichroic beam splitter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 10 wherein: said separating means is a fiberoptic splitter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 10 further including: a second remote sensing device adjacent to said first remote fast neutron sensing device, said second remote sensing device comprising a proton nonradiator coated on a second doped glass or comprising a second doped glass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 1 wherein: said sensing device is a fast neutron dosimeter; and said proton radiator is selected from thermoplastic resin and thermoset resin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 14 wherein: said thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and mixtures thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 15, wherein said polyethylene is high density polyethylene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The sensing device of claim 14, further including: a second sensing device adjacent to said first fast neutron sensing device, said second sensing device comprising a proton nonradiator coated on a second doped glass, or comprising an uncoated second doped glass.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 17 wherein: said sensing device is a personal dosimeter which is formed as a badge to be worn on a person.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
72 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 14, wherein said fast neutron sensing device is a remote fast neutron sensing device comprising: an optical fiber; said fast neutron sensing device being coupled to a first end of said optical fiber for transmitting scintillation light from said fast neutron sensing device; and means coupled to a second end of said optical fiber for detecting the scintillation light from said fast neutron sensing device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 19 further including: a lens disposed between said optical fiber and said detecting means for collimating the scintillation light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 19 further including: a second remote sensing device adjacent to said first remote fast neutron sensing device, said second remote sensing device comprising a proton nonradiator coated on a second doped glass or comprising an uncoated second doped glass.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 14, wherein said fast neutron sensing device is a remote fast neutron sensing device comprising; a light source; an optical fiber for transmitting light from said light source; said fast neutron sensing device being coupled to said optical fiber, said optical fiber transmitting light stimulatable luminescence from said fast neutron sensing device; means for separating the luminescence light from the stimulating light; and means for detecting the luminescence.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 22 wherein: said separating means is a dichroic beam splitter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 22 wherein: said separating means is a fiberoptic splitter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 19 wherein: said means for detecting the luminescence is selected from the group consisting of a photomultiplier tube, photodiode and photoconductor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
46 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 22 further including: a second remote sensing device adjacent to said first remote fast neutron sensing device, said second remote sensing device comprising a proton nonradiator coated on a second doped glass or comprising a second doped glass.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
96 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 1, wherein said doped glass exhibits scintillation, and wherein said fast neutron sensing device is a remote fast neutron sensing device further comprising: an optical fiber for transmitting scintillation light, having first and second ends; and a detector for detecting the scintillation light from said fast neutron sensing device; wherein said first end of said optical fiber is coupled to said doped glass and said second end of said optical fiber is coupled to said detector, so as to transmit scintillation light from said doped glass to said detector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
165 words
The fast neutron sensing device of claim 1, wherein said doped glass exhibits light stimulatable luminescence, and wherein said fast neutron sensing device is a remote fast neutron sensing device further comprising: a first optical fiber for transmitting stimulation light, having first and second ends; a stimulation light source; wherein said first end of said first optical fiber is coupled to said doped glass and said second end of said first optical fiber is coupled to said stimulation light source, so as to transmit stimulation light from said stimulation light source to said doped glass; a second optical fiber for transmitting luminescence light, having first and second ends; and a detector for detecting the luminescence light from said fast neutron sensing device; wherein said first end of said second optical fiber is coupled to said doped glass and said second end of said second optical fiber is coupled to said detector, so as to transmit said luminescence light from said doped glass to said detector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The remote fast neutron sensing device of claim 28, further comprising: a filter interposed between said doped glass and said detector, for preventing transmission of said stimulation light to said detector.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for the detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising the steps of: exposing a doped glass coated with a proton radiator to a radiation field of neutrons; and measuring the scintillation light of the doped glass.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for the detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising the steps of: exposing a doped glass coated with a proton radiator to a radiation field of neutrons; and measuring the scintillation light of the doped glass.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the proton radiator comprises polyethylene.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising the steps of: exposing a doped glass coated with a proton radiator to a radiation field of fast neutrons; allowing the doped glass to accumulate electrons and holes in traps; stimulating the doped glass so as to allow the doped glass to luminesce; and measuring the luminescence of the doped glass.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising the steps of: exposing a doped glass coated with a proton radiator to a radiation field of fast neutrons; allowing the doped glass to accumulate electrons and holes in traps; stimulating the doped glass so as to allow the doped glass to luminesce; and measuring the luminescence of the doped glass.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the proton radiator comprises polyethylene.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for the differential detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator adjacent to a doped glass phosphor with either a proton nonradiator or no coating; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons; measuring the scintillation from the fast neutron sensing device; and determining the difference between the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with the proton radiator and the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with either said proton nonradiator or no coating.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for the differential detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator adjacent to a doped glass phosphor with either a proton nonradiator or no coating; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons; measuring the scintillation from the fast neutron sensing device; and determining the difference between the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with the proton radiator and the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with either said proton nonradiator or no coating.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the proton radiator comprises a thermoplastic.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the thermoplastic is polyethylene.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the differential detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator adjacent to a doped glass phosphor with either a proton nonradiator or no coating; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons; allowing the fast neutron sensing device to accumulate trapped electrons and holes; stimulating the fast neutron sensing device with light to allow luminescence; measuring the luminescence of the fast neutron sensing device; and determining the difference between the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with the proton radiator and the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with either said proton nonradiator or no coating.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for the differential detection of fast neutrons in a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator adjacent to a doped glass phosphor with either a proton nonradiator or no coating; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to a radiation field comprising gamma rays and fast neutrons; allowing the fast neutron sensing device to accumulate trapped electrons and holes; stimulating the fast neutron sensing device with light to allow luminescence; measuring the luminescence of the fast neutron sensing device; and determining the difference between the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with the proton radiator and the measured scintillation of the doped glass phosphor with either said proton nonradiator or no coating.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the proton radiator comprises a thermoplastic.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 38, wherein the thermoplastic is polyethylene.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for the remote sensing of fast neutron radiation comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator attached to an optical fiber; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to fast neutrons; and measuring the scintillation light transmitted through the optical fiber.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for the remote sensing of fast neutron radiation comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator attached to an optical fiber; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to fast neutrons; and measuring the scintillation light transmitted through the optical fiber.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for the remote sensing of fast neutron radiation comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator attached to an optical fiber; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to fast neutrons; allowing the fast neutron sensing device to accumulate trapped electrons and holes; stimulating the fast neutron sensing device with light to allow luminescence; and measuring the luminescence of the fast neutron sensing device.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for the remote sensing of fast neutron radiation comprising the steps of: providing a fast neutron sensing device comprising a doped glass phosphor with a proton radiator attached to an optical fiber; exposing the fast neutron sensing device to fast neutrons; allowing the fast neutron sensing device to accumulate trapped electrons and holes; stimulating the fast neutron sensing device with light to allow luminescence; and measuring the luminescence of the fast neutron sensing device.
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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) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |