• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.511-515
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• 2020

In this study, we evaluated image quality for new Gadolinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet (GAGG) scintillation material based on the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) simulation tool. The gamma camera detectors with GAGG and NaI scintillation were designed. In particular, we modeled modified body phantom by National Electrical Manufacturers Association International Electrotechnical Commission to evaluate the simulated images. To analysis the image performance, the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) and coefficient of variation (COV) were used by drawn the region of interests, respectively. Based on the CNR and COV results, the CNR value for GAGG material is higher approximately 17 % than NaI material. In addition, the COV value for GAGG material is lower approximately 17 % than NaI material. In conclusion, we confirmed the performnace of GAGG based gamma camera is useful to improve the image quality for the nuclear medicine instrumentation.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.2572-2580
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• 2020

Emerging gamma ray detection applications that utilize neutron-based interrogation result in the prompt emission of high-energy (>2 MeV) gamma-rays. Rapid imaging is enabled by scintillators that possess high density, high atomic number, and excellent energy resolution. In this paper, we evaluate the bright (50,000 photons/MeV) oxide scintillator, cerium-doped Gd₂Al₂Ga₃O₁₂ (GAGG(Ce)). A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array is coupled to a GAGG(Ce) scintillator array (12 × 12 pixels) and integrated into a coded-aperture based gamma-ray imaging system. A resistor-based symmetric charge division circuit was used reduce the multiplicity of the analog outputs from 144 to 4. The developed system exhibits 9.1%, 8.3%, and 8.0% FWHM energy resolutions at 511 keV, 662 keV, and 1173.2 keV, respectively. In addition, a pixel-identification resolution of 602 ㎛ FWHM was obtained from the GAGG(Ce) scintillator array.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2015

In this study, a scintillation detector was fabricated using a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and a Ce:GAGG scintillator single crystal, and its spectroscopic properties were compared with those of commercially available LYSO and CsI:Tl scintillators using ${\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy. The energy resolutions of the self-produced scintillation detector composed of the scintillator single crystal (volume: $3{\times}3{\times}20mm^3$) and SiPM (Photosensitive area: $3{\times}3mm^2$) for standard ${\gamma}$-ray sources, such as $^{133}Ba$, $^{22}Na$, $^{137}Cs$ and $^{60}Co$ were measured and compared. As a result, the energy resolutions of the proposed Ce:GAGG scintillation detector for g-rays, as measured using its spectroscopic properties, were found to be 13.5% for $^{133}Ba$ 0.356 MeV, 6.9% for $^{22}Na$ 0.511 MeV, 5.8% for $^{137}Cs$ 0.662 MeV and 2.3% for $^{60}Co$ 1.33 MeV.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.2306-2312
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• 2020

Here we report on the first results of sensitivity evaluation of the gadolinium-aluminum-gallium- garnet (GAGG) scintillation detector with SiPM readout to fast and slow neutrons and, to the natural background and Co-60 γ-radiation as well. Data on sensitivity were obtained using certified dosimetry benches, so it can be utilized in the calculation of detection limits of neutron flux with such type of detectors. It was concluded that use of GAGG scintillator has a good prospect for neutron monitoring in different parts of nuclear research reactors and power plants.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.459-464
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• 2021

The detector performance is important role in acquiring the gamma rays from patients. Among parameters of detector performances, there is density, which relates to respond to gamma rays. Therefore, we confirm the detection efficiency according to various detector materials based on the density parameter using GATE (geant4 application for emission tomography) simulation tool. The NaI (density: 3.67 g/cm³), CZT (Cadimium Zinc Telluride) (density: 5.80 g/cm³), CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) (5.85 g/cm³), and GAGG (Gadoinium Aluminum Gallium Garnet) (density g/cm³) were used as detector materials. In addition, the point source and quadrant bar phantom, which is modeled for 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm thicknesses, were modeled to confirm the quatitative analysis using sensitivity (cps/MBq) and the full width at half maximum (FWHM, mm) at the 2.0 mm bar thickness containing visual evaluation. Based on the results, the sensitivity for NaI, CZT, CdTe, and GAGG detector materials were 0.12, 0.15, 0.16, and 0.18 cps/MBq. In addition, the FWHM for quadrant bar phantom in the 2.0 mm bar thickness is 3.72, 3.69, 3.70, and 3.73 mm for NaI, CZT, CdTe, and GAGG materials, respectively. Compared with performance of detector materials according to density, the high density can improve detection efficiency in terms of sensitivity and mean count. Among these detector materials, the GAGG material is efficient for detection of gamma rays.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.626-636
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• 2021

Boron-neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a cancer treatment method that exploits the high neutron reactivity of boron. Monitoring the prompt gamma rays (PGs) produced during neutron irradiation is essential for ensuring the accuracy and safety of BNCT. We investigate the imaging of PGs produced by the boron-neutron capture reaction through Monte Carlo simulations of a gamma camera with a SrI₂ scintillator and parallel-hole collimator. GAGG scintillator is also used for a comparison. The simulations allow the shapes of the energy spectra, which exhibit a peak at 478 keV, to be determined along with the PG images from a boron-water phantom. It is found that increasing the size of the water phantom results in a greater number of image counts and lower contrast. Additionally, a higher septal penetration ratio results in poorer image quality, and a SrI₂ scintillator results in higher image contrast. Thus, we can simulate the BNCT process and obtain an energy spectrum with a reasonable shape, as well as suitable PG images. Both GAGG and SrI₂ crystals are suitable for PG imaging during BNCT. However, for higher imaging quality, SrI₂ and a collimator with a lower septal penetration ratio should be utilized.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.929-934
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• 2018

Studies for counting and detecting X-rays for the improvement of image quality and material analysis are active. In this work, the detector for X-ray photon counting was designed using Multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) array and the detector characteristics were evaluated through simulation. Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) was used to obtain the position where the X-ray and the scintillation interacted, and this position was used as the light generation position of DETECT2000. 0.5 mm and 1 mm thick Gadolinium Aluminium Gallium Garnet (GAGG) scintillators were used and the light generated through a $4{\times}4$ array of MPPCs was acquired. The spatial resolution of the designed detector was evaluated by reconstructed image using the light signal acquired for each channel. We obtained images of more than 2 lp/mm in both 0.5 mm and 1 mm thick GAGG scintillation. When this detector is used in a X-ray system, a low-cost system capable of photon counting can be made.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.214-225
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• 2022

Background: The conventional cerium-doped Gd₂Al₂Ga₃O₁₂ (GAGG(Ce)) scintillator-based gamma-ray imager has a bulky detector, which can lead to incorrect positioning of the gammaray source if the shielding against background radiation is not appropriately designed. In addition, portability is important in complex environments such as inside nuclear power plants, yet existing gamma-ray imager based on a tungsten mask tends to be weighty and therefore difficult to handle. Motivated by the need to develop a system that is not sensitive to background radiation and is portable, we changed the material of the scintillator and the coded aperture. Materials and Methods: The existing GAGG(Ce) was replaced with Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂ (BGO), a scintillator with high gamma-ray detection efficiency but low energy resolution, and replaced the tungsten (W) used in the existing coded aperture with lead (Pb). Each BGO scintillator is pixelated with 144 elements (12 × 12), and each pixel has an area of 4 mm × 4 mm and the scintillator thickness ranges from 5 to 20 mm (5, 10, and 20 mm). A coded aperture consisting of Pb with a thickness of 20 mm was applied to the BGO scintillators of all thicknesses. Results and Discussion: Spectroscopic characterization, imaging performance, and image quality evaluation revealed the 10 mm-thick BGO scintillators enabled the portable gamma-ray imager to deliver optimal performance. Although its performance is slightly inferior to that of existing GAGG(Ce)-based gamma-ray imager, the results confirmed that the manufacturing cost and the system's overall weight can be reduced. Conclusion: Despite the spectral characteristics, imaging system performance, and image quality is slightly lower than that of GAGG(Ce), the results show that BGO scintillators are preferable for gamma-ray imaging systems in terms of cost and ease of deployment, and the proposed design is well worth applying to systems intended for use in areas that do not require high precision.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.801-805
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• 2018

In this study, an underwater radiation detector was built using a GAGG(Ce) scintillator and silicon photomultiplier to establish an underwater radiation exposure monitoring system. The GAGG(Ce) scintillator is suitable for small radiation detectors as it strongly absorbs gamma rays and has a high light emission rate with no deliquescent properties. Additionally, the silicon photomultiplier is a light sensor with characteristics such as small size and low applied voltage. Further, a program and mobile app were developed to monitor the radiation coefficient values generated from the detector. According to the results of the evaluation of the characteristics of the underwater radiation monitoring system, when tested for its responsiveness to radiation intensity and reactivity, the system exhibited a coefficient of determination of at least 0.99 with respect to the radiation source distance. Additionally, when tested for its underwater environmental temperature dependence, the monitoring system exhibited an increase in the count rate up to a certain temperature because of the increasing dark current and a decrease in the count rate because of decreasing overvoltage. Extended studies based on the results of this study are expected to greatly contribute to immediate and continuing evaluation of the degree of radioactive contamination in underwater environments.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2015

In the present study, we developed a real-time radiation-monitoring sensor for an underwater radiation-monitoring system and evaluated its effectiveness using reference radiation sources. The monitoring sensor was designed and miniaturized using a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and a cerium-doped-gadolinium-aluminum-gallium-garnet (Ce:GAGG) scintillator, and an underwater wireless monitoring system was implemented by employing a remote Bluetooth communication module. An acrylic water tank and reference radiation sources ($^{137}Cs$, $^{90}Sr$) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the monitoring sensor. The underwater monitoring sensor's detection response and efficiency for gamma rays and beta particles as well as the linearity of the response according to the gammaray intensity were verified through an evaluation. This evaluation is expected to contribute to the development of base technology for an underwater radiation-monitoring system.