초록 ▼

The present disclosure provides systems and methods where an electron focusing device can be combined with a scintillation detector to better focus the electrons generated by a light sensing device. The scintillation detector can include a scintillation crystal that is covered by an inner light-refl

The present disclosure provides systems and methods where an electron focusing device can be combined with a scintillation detector to better focus the electrons generated by a light sensing device. The scintillation detector can include a scintillation crystal that is covered by an inner light-reflecting coating layer where the scintillation crystal may emit photons due to measurement radiation(s). The light sensing device can include a photomultiplier that may receive the photons emitted by the scintillation crystal and convert them into the electrons generated. The electron focusing device can include a metal ring magnet or one or more conducting coils encircling the scintillation crystal that may create a magnetic field so as to focus the electrons generated by the light sensing device.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system, comprising: a scintillation detector comprising a scintillation crystal covered by an inner coating layer, said inner coating layer being reflective to a light spectrum;a light sensing device capable of converting photons emitted by said scintillation crystal into electrical signals com

1. A system, comprising: a scintillation detector comprising a scintillation crystal covered by an inner coating layer, said inner coating layer being reflective to a light spectrum;a light sensing device capable of converting photons emitted by said scintillation crystal into electrical signals comprising a plurality of electrons; andan electron focusing device comprising at least one conductive unit capable of generating a magnetic field so as to focus at least a portion of said plurality of electrons toward a central axis of the system, such that a first group of the plurality of electrons passing the electron focusing device and leaving the system is more focused towards a central axis of the system than the first group prior to passing the electron focusing device. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive unit comprises a metallic ring magnet encircling said scintillation crystal and having a width substantially equal to a radius of said scintillation crystal. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive unit comprises one or more conducting coils winding around said scintillation crystal. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light sensing device comprises a photomultiplier. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said scintillation crystal further comprising an outer coating layer; wherein said outer coating layer is deposited onto the inner coating layer by a chemical and/or physical vapor deposition process. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the inner and outer coating layers is thermally conductive. 7. The system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the inner and outer coating layers is electrically conductive. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the inner coating layer is electrically conductive; said system further comprising a shock absorbing member having an elastomeric material and covering said inner and outer coating layers. 9. The system of claim 5, wherein said scintillation crystal is a sodium iodide crystal activated with thallium; wherein said inner coating layer comprises aluminum and said outer coating layer comprises platinum or gold. 10. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor to measure a temperature inside said scintillation crystal. 11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a device to control a temperature inside the crystal. 12. The system of claim 1 further comprising a light emitter capable of emitting quantities of light at regular periods. 13. A method of measuring radiation from an environment, including the steps of: positioning in said environment, a system as claimed in claim 1;receiving the emitted photons from the scintillation detector with the light sensing device;converting the photons received into the electrical signals, wherein the electrical signals substantially represent the radiation being measured; andgenerating a magnetic field with the electron focusing device to focus at least a portion of said plurality of electrons toward a central axis of the system. 14. The system of claim 13, comprising an optical window at a front portion of the system on an opposite end from a back portion of the system, wherein the electron focusing device comprises electrical circuitry placed close to the optical window. 15. The system of claim 13, comprising an optical window at a front portion of the system on an opposite end from a back portion of the system, wherein the electron focusing device comprises a conductive strip placed close to the optical window. 16. The system of claim 13, comprising an optical window at a front portion of the system on an opposite end from a back portion of the system, wherein the electron focusing device comprises an axial magnet placed close to the optical window. 17. A method of manufacturing a system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the scintillation detector is made by a method including the steps of: defining two surface parts in the scintillation crystal: a first part and a second part, wherein the scintillation crystal comprises a sodium iodide crystal activated with thallium;covering said first part of said scintillation crystal with the inner coating layer that is electrically conductive, leaving said second part without coating;covering said inner coating layer with an outer coating layer comprising platinum or gold, wherein said outer coating layer is deposited onto said inner coating layer by a chemical and/or a physical vapor deposition process;positioning said scintillation crystal and said electrically conductive inner coating layer in a shock absorbing member comprising an elastomeric material;positioning said second part in front of an optical window transmissive to scintillation light given by said scintillation crystal; andpositioning said shock absorbing member and said optical window in a protective housing. 18. The system of claim 1, comprising a shock absorbing member covering the scintillation detector, wherein the scintillation detector comprises a right cylindrical shape, and wherein the shock absorbing member comprises a concentric cylindrical shape around the scintillation detector. 19. The system of claim 18, comprising a casing comprising a back end at a back portion and a front window at a front portion, wherein the casing comprises a concentric cylindrical shape around the scintillation detector. 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the back end comprises a spring configured to axially load the crystal towards the optical window.