• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.256-260
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• 2014

Columnar-structured cesium iodide (CsI) scintillators doped with thallium (Tl) are frequently used as x-ray converters in medical and industrial imaging. In this study we investigated the imaging characteristics of CsI:Tl films with various reflective layers-aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), and titanium dioxide ($TiO_2$) powder-coated on glass substrates. We used two effusion-cell sources in a thermal evaporator system to fabricate CsI:Tl films on substrates. The scintillators were observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scintillation characteristics were evaluated on the basis of the emission spectrum, light output, light response to x-ray dose, modulation transfer function (MTF), and x-ray images. Compared to control films without a reflective layer, CsI:Tl films with reflective layers showed better sensitivity and light collection efficiency, and the film with a $TiO_2$ reflective layer showed the best properties.

• Biomedical Engineering Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.383-392
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• 2018

For prompt gamma ray imaging for biomedical applications and environmental radiation monitoring, we propose herein a multiple-scattering Compton camera (MSCC). MSCC consists of three or more semiconductor layers with good energy resolution, and has potential for simultaneous detection and differentiation of multiple radio-isotopes based on the measured energies, as well as three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the radio-isotope distribution. In this study, we developed an analytic simulator and a 3D image generator for a MSCC, including the physical models of the radiation source emission and detection processes that can be utilized for geometry and performance prediction prior to the construction of a real system. The analytic simulator for a MSCC records coincidence detections of successive interactions in multiple detector layers. In the successive interaction processes, the emission direction of the incident gamma ray, the scattering angle, and the changed traveling path after the Compton scattering interaction in each detector, were determined by a conical surface uniform random number generator (RNG), and by a Klein-Nishina RNG. The 3D image generator has two functions: the recovery of the initial source energy spectrum and the 3D spatial distribution of the source. We evaluated the analytic simulator and image generator with two different energetic point radiation sources (Cs-137 and Co-60) and with an MSCC comprising three detector layers. The recovered initial energies of the incident radiations were well differentiated from the generated MSCC events. Correspondingly, we could obtain a multi-tracer image that combined the two differentiated images. The developed analytic simulator in this study emulated the randomness of the detection process of a multiple-scattering Compton camera, including the inherent degradation factors of the detectors, such as the limited spatial and energy resolutions. The Doppler-broadening effect owing to the momentum distribution of electrons in Compton scattering was not considered in the detection process because most interested isotopes for biomedical and environmental applications have high energies that are less sensitive to Doppler broadening. The analytic simulator and image generator for MSCC can be utilized to determine the optimal geometrical parameters, such as the distances between detectors and detector size, thus affecting the imaging performance of the Compton camera prior to the development of a real system.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.83-101
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• 2022

Accurate atmospheric correction is essential for the analysis of land surface and environmental monitoring. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) information is particularly important in atmospheric correction because the radiation attenuation by Mie scattering makes the differences between the radiation calculated at the satellite sensor and the radiation measured at the land surface. Thus, it is necessary to use high-quality AOD data for an appropriate atmospheric correction of high-resolution satellite images. In this study, we examined the Second Simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S)-based atmospheric correction results for the Sentinel-2 images in South Korea using raster AOD (MODIS) and single-point AOD (AERONET). The 6S result was overall agreed with the Sentinel-2 level 2 data. Moreover, using raster AOD showed better performance than using single-point AOD. The atmospheric correction using the single-point AOD yielded some inappropriate values for forest and water pixels, where as the atmospheric correction using raster AOD produced stable and natural patterns in accordance with the land cover map. Also, the Sentinel-2 normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) after the 6S correction had similar patterns to the up scaled drone NDVI, although Sentinel-2 NDVI had relatively low values. Also, the spatial distribution of both images seemed very similar for growing and harvest seasons. Future work will be necessary to make efforts for the gap-filling of AOD data and an accurate bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) model for high-resolution atmospheric correction. These methods can help improve the land surface monitoring using the future Compact Advanced Satellite 500 in South Korea.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.2927-2934
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• 2023

The influence of the atmospheric radon background on the airborne gamma spectrum can seriously affect researchers' judgement of ground radiation information. However, due to load and endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-borne gamma-ray spectrometry is difficulty installing upward-looking detectors to monitor atmospheric radon background. In this paper, an advanced spectral-ratio method was used to correct the atmospheric radon background for a UAV-borne gamma-ray spectrometry in Inner Mongolia, China. By correcting atmospheric radon background, the ratio of the average count rate of U window in the anomalous radon zone (S5) to that in other survey zone decreased from 1.91 to 1.03, and the average uranium content in S5 decreased from 4.65 mg/kg to 3.37 mg/kg. The results show that the advanced spectral-ratio method efficiently eliminated the influence of the atmospheric radon background on the UAV-borne gamma-ray spectrometry to accurately obtain ground radiation information in uranium exploration. It can also be used for uranium tailings monitoring, and environmental radiation background surveys.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2008

With recent advancement of the medical imaging systems and picture archiving and communication system (PACS), installation of digital radiography has been accelerated over past few years. Moreover, Computed Radiography (CR) which was well established for the foundation of digital x-ray imaging systems at low cost was widely used for clinical applications. This study analyzes imaging characteristics for two systems with different pixel sizes through the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF), Noise Power Spectrum (NPS) and Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE). In addition, influence of radiation dose to the imaging characteristics was also measured by quantitative assessment. A standard beam quality RQA5 based on an international electro-technical commission (IEC) standard was used to perform the x-ray imaging studies. For the results, the spatial resolution based on MTF at 10% for Agfa CR system with I.P size of $8{\times}10$ inches and $14{\times}17$ inches was measured as 3.9 cycles/mm and 2.8 cycles/mm, respectively. The spatial resolution based on MTF at 10% for Fuji CR system with I.P size of $8{\times}10$ inches and $14{\times}17$ inches was measured as 3.4 cycles/mm and 3.2 cycles/mm, respectively. There was difference in the spatial resolution for $14{\times}17$ inches, although radiation dose does not effect to the MTF. The NPS of the Agfa CR system shows similar results for different pixel size between $100{\mu}m$ for $8{\times}10$ inch I.P and $150{\mu}m$ for $14{\times}17$ inch I.P. For both systems, the results show better NPS for increased radiation dose due to increasing number of photons. DQE of the Agfa CR system for $8{\times}10$ inch I.P and $14{\times}17$ inch I.P resulted in 11% and 8.8% at 1.5 cycles/mm, respectively. Both systems show that the higher level of radiation dose would lead to the worse DQE efficiency. Measuring DQE for multiple factors of imaging characteristics plays very important role in determining efficiency of equipment and reducing radiation dose for the patients. In conclusion, the results of this study could be used as a baseline to optimize imaging systems and their imaging characteristics by measuring MTF, NPS, and DQE for different level of radiation dose.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.335-335
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• 2001

Direct-normal, total horizontal and diffuse horizontal irradiance data obtained from a multi-filter rotating shadowband radiometer over seven different wavelength bands (416nm, 151nm, 616nm, 675nm, 870nm and 940nm and the entire spectrum) has been analyzed at Kwangju, South Korea from June 1998 December 2000. The maximum hourly global radiation flux ranged from 0.44 MJ/$m^2$ to 2.68 MJ/$m^2$ at around 11:00-12:00 Hr local time while the maximum hourly diffuse radiation flux ranged from about 0.96 MJ/$m^2$ to 1.37 MJ/$m^2$. The maximum hourly direct irradiance ranged from 1.42 MJ/$m^2$ to 2.92 MJ/$m^2$ from June1998-2000. During the period under consideration, the average monthly global radiation recorded were 13.09 MJ/$m^2$/day, 10.58MJ/$m^2$/day and 9.78MJ/$m^2$/day for years 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively, while the diffuse irradiance were 6.54 MJ/$m^2$/day, 5.33 MJ/$m^2$/day and 5.14 MJ/$m^2$/day for f998, 1999 and 2000 respectively. The direct irradiance values at the site were 11.63 MJ/$m^2$/day, 8.24MJ/$m^2$/day and 7.75 MJ/$m^2$/day for 1998, f999 and 2000 respectively. It was observed that each of the years has its own unique meteorological parameters that affect the quality and quantity of radiation received for each month. The annual average daily fractions of the diffuse to the global radiation (KD) were 0.51, 0.61 and 0.59 for years 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively. Analysis indicated that the average daily KD ranged from 0.13 to a maximum value of 0.99 in May for irradiance measured at the broadband channel while the maximum and minimum KD value of 0.91 and 0.23 was recorded at wavelength band 870nm and 940nm in January and September respectively. The lowest average daily clearness index (Kt) value recorded was 0.03 in May (Spring) and the annual average daily clearness indexes are 0.45, 0.34 and 0.35 for years 1998, f999 and 2000 respectively. The frequency of clear days annually at Kwangju is 67.95%, 29.57% and 40.72% for years 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.143-150
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• 2014

This study was designated to investigate the bremsstrahlung and radiation dose by beta rays. Radiation attenuation from I-131 treatment ward was analyzed using radio protective apron. Shielding materials which is included lead or water were simulated in Monte Carlo Simulation then the spectrum on interaction was analyzed. The shielding materials were categorized according to the thickness. 0.25mm and 0.5mm thick lead and 0.1mm and 0.2mm thick water shielding materials were configured in Monte Carlo Simulation for this study. Only lead shielding method and water plus lead shielding method were carried. As a results, when 0.5mm thick lead shielding method was performed, the radiation dose was similar to the results with water plus lead shielding method. In case of using 0.25mm thick lead shielding, the shielding effect was somewhat less. However, that shielding method cause dose reduction of about 60% compare with non-shielding material.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 1992

Photon, neutron and beta radiation fields were measured at PWR plants which are the representative types of nuclear power plant operated in Korea. The photon energy spectra were measured at locations in the auxiliary building during operation period and in the containment vessel(C/V) during shutdown period using a portable gamma spectrometer with a HPGe detector. The distribution of average energy was found to range from 440 to 780 keV in the C/V and from 280 keV to 760 keV in the auxiliary building, respectively. The average neutron energy measured at the five locations around the operation deck in the C/V in operation using a BMSS (Bonner Multi-Sphere Spectrometer) ranged from 20 keV to 210 keV. A computer code, BUNKI was used to unfold the spectrum. The beta energy spectra in the C/V and in the auxiliary building in annual outage were determined using 14 smear samples taken from the highly contaminated areas. The analysis showed that the representative corrosion product, $^{60}Co$ made main contribution to the beta energy field.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.197-204
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• 2017

Background: X-ray imaging detectors for the nondestructive cargo container inspection using MeV-energy X-rays should accurately portray the internal structure of the irradiated container. Internal and external factors can cause noise, affecting image quality, and scattered radiation is the greatest source of noise. To obtain a high-performance transmission image, the influence of scattered radiation must be minimized, and this can be accomplished through several methods. The scatter rejection method using an anti-scatter grid is the preferred method to reduce the impact of scattered radiation. In this paper, we present an evaluation the characteristics of the signal and noise according to physical and material changes in the anti-scatter grid of the imaging detector used in cargo container scanners. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the characteristics of the signal and noise according to changes in the grid ratio and the material of the anti-scatter grid in an X-ray image detector using MCNP6. The grid was composed of iron, lead, or tungsten, and the grid ratio was set to 2.5, 12.5, 25, or 37.5. X-ray spectrum sources for simulation were generated by 6- and 9-MeV electron impacts on the tungsten target using MCNP6. The object in the simulation was designed using metallic material of various thicknesses inside the steel container. Using the results of the computational simulation, we calculated the change in the scatter-to-primary ratio and the signal-to-noise ratio improvement factor according to the grid ratio and the grid material, respectively. Results and Discussion: Changing the grid ratios of the anti-scatter grid and the grid material decreased the scatter linearly, affecting the signal-to-noise ratio. Conclusion: The grid ratio and material of the anti-scatter grid affected the response characteristics of a container scanner using high-energy X-rays, but to a minimal extent; thus, it may not be practically effective to incorporate anti-scatter grids into container scanners.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2013

The energy band and the G-factor method were compared to determine the exposure rate from the measured spectrum using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector. First, G-factors of a 3"${\Phi}X3$" NaI(Tl) detector mounted to a EFRD 3300, which means the environmental radiation monitor, in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) were calculated for several directions of incident photons through the MCNP modeling, and the optimum G-factor applicable to that monitor was then determined by comparing the results both the energy band method and the G-factor method. The results for these spectrometric determinations were also compared with the dose rate from a HPIC radiation monitor around a EFRD 3300. The measured value at the EFRD 3300 based on a 3"${\Phi}X3$" NaI(Tl) detector was $7.7{\mu}R/h$ and its difference was shown about $3{\mu}R/h$, when compared with the results from a HPIC radiation moditor. Since a HPIC is known to be able to measure cosmic rays with the relatively high energy, the difference between them was caused by cosmic rays which were not detected in a 3"${\Phi}X3$" NaI(Tl) detector.