A Low-Cost, Compact, FPGA-Based Gamma Spectrometer for Mobile Applications

Technology Description

This spectrometer uses a Csl(Ti) scintillation crystal coupled to a solid-state photomultiplier to detect radiation interaction and an on-board 40 MHz, 12-bit digital pulse-processor based on a field-programmable gate array that generates an energy histogram. The device has a wireless connectability function that allows mobile phones to display the collected data.

Features & Benefits

• Low-cost personal dosimeter
• Compact device easily useable by consumers
• Device able to achieve 5.66% FWHM energy resolution at 662 keV
• Battery small enough to be powered by mobile phone

Applications

• Radiation detection
• Personal dosimetry
• Battlefield assessment
• Emergency response

Background of Invention

There is a significant role in emergency response and personal radiation safety that can be played by a compact radiation detector that is capable of identifying radionuclides. The current state of the art features no current handheld spectroscopy performance that is compatible with a cellular phone. Researchers in the Advanced Radiation Instrumentation Laboratory at Oregon State University have created a small, low-cost, low-power gamma ray spectrometer to fill this role.

Status

Prototype has undergone extensive successful laboratory testing.