• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.456-460
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• 2020

In this research, a radiation detection backpack to be used discreetly or by a wide range of users was developed using array silicon-photomultiplier (SiPM) and CsI (Tl), and its characteristics were evaluated. The R-squared value, which indicates the responsiveness of a detector based on the signal intensity, was determined to be 0.981, indicating a good linear responsivity. The energy resolutions for gamma radiation energies of Co-57 (122 keV), Ba-133 (356 keV), Cs-137 (662 keV), and Co-60 (1332 keV) were found to be 13.40, 10.50, 6.77, and 3.16%, respectively. These results confirm good energy resolution characteristics. Furthermore, in the case of mixed sources, the gamma radiation peaks were readily distinguishable, and the R-squared value for energy linearity was calculated to be 0.999, demonstrating an exceptional energy linearity. Further research based on the results of this study would enable the commercialization of lightweight SiPM-based wireless radiation detection backpacks that can be used for longer durations by replacing the photomultiplier tube, which is mainly used as the optical sensor in existing radiation detection backpacks.

• 센서학회지
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• 제25권5호
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• pp.333-336
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• 2016

In this study, a beta monitoring sensor was developed as a part of basic research for quantitative beta monitoring underwater, and its performance was evaluated using a calibration source. A beta detection sensor was manufactured by using SiPM(silicon photomultiplier) and $CaF_2$:Eu, YAG:Ce, YAP:Ce scintillator. A large-area light guide was introduced to improve beta-ray detection efficiency. As calibration sources, the Beta source $^{90}Sr$, which is the main fission product of a nuclear accident, and the gamma source $^{137}Cs$ are used. In the performance evaluation, it is confirmed that scintillator $CaF_2:Eu$ gives the highest beta-ray detection response. Compared to gamma ray, beta-ray detection responsivity and detection efficiency are verified. Therefore, this study is expected to contribute to basic research in the development of an underwater beta-ray monitoring system.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.73-78
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 실리콘 광 증배소자(Silicon photomultiplier)와 Ce:GAGG 섬광체 단결정을 이용한 섬광검출기를 제작하고, 감마선 분광특성 분석을 통해 기존에 상용화된 LYSO, CsI:Tl 섬광체와의 분광특성을 비교하였다. 섬광체 단결정의 크기는 $3{\times}3{\times}20mm^3$ 이며 $3{\times}3mm^2$ 실리콘 광 증배소자를 이용하여 섬광검출기를 제작한 후, 표준 감마선원인 $^{133}Ba$, $^{22}Na$, $^{137}Cs$, $^{60}Co$에 대한 에너지 분해능을 각각 측정하고 비교하였다. 그 결과 Ce:GAGG 섬광검출기의 감마선에 대한 에너지 분해능은 $^{133}Ba$ 0.356 MeV에서 13.5%, $^{22}Na$ 0.511 MeV에서 6.9%, $^{137}Cs$ 0.662 MeV에서 5.8% 그리고 $^{60}Co$ 1.33 MeV에서 2.3%의 분광 특성을 확인 할 수 있었다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.479-487
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• 2015

The thallium-doped sodium iodide [NaI(Tl)] scintillation detector is preferred as a gamma spectrometer in many fields because of its general advantages. A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) has recently been developed and its application area has been expanded as an alternative to photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). It has merits such as a low operating voltage, compact size, cheap production cost, and magnetic resonance compatibility. In this study, an array of SiPMs is used to develop an NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometer. To maintain detection efficiency, a commercial NaI(Tl) $2^{\prime}{\times}2^{\prime}$ scintillator is used, and a light guide is used for the transport and collection of generated photons from the scintillator to the SiPMs without loss. The test light guides were fabricated with polymethyl methacrylate and reflective materials. The gamma spectrometer systems were set up and included light guides. Through a series of measurements, the characteristics of the light guides and the proposed gamma spectrometer were evaluated. Simulation of the light collection was accomplished using the DETECT 97 code (A. Levin, E. Hoskinson, and C. Moison, University of Michigan, USA) to analyze the measurement results. The system, which included SiPMs and the light guide, achieved 14.11% full width at half maximum energy resolution at 662 keV.

• 대한방사선방어학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한방사선방어학회 2011년도 추계 학술발표회 및 심포지엄
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• pp.244-245
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• 2011

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제50권5호
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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.

• 한국정밀공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국정밀공학회 2005년도 춘계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.1083-1086
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• 2005

Light scattering measurement system that can evaluate light scattering characteristic from defects on silicon wafer surface has been developed. The system uses $Ar^+$ laser as an illumination source, and a highly sensitive photomultiplier tube (PMT) for detecting scattered light from defects. Unlike with conventional measurement system, our system has ability to measure scattered light pattern from wide range of scattering angles with changeable incidence condition. It is shown that our developed system is effective to discriminate the types and sizes of defects from basic experimental results using a microscatch and a PSL sphere.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.150-158
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• 2014

각 의료기관 내 방사선 관련 종사자나 방사선 치료환자들은 진단 및 치료 시 필연적으로 의료상 피폭을 수반하게 된다. 국제방사선방호위원회(ICRP) 권고나 국제원자력기구(IAEA)의 기준에 따라 기준선량 제약치를 적용 및 권고 받고 있지만 1차 피폭대상자인 종사자나 환자들의 피폭최적관리를 위해서는 잠재적인 피폭대상자들에게 기존의 피폭관리 시스템보다 직접적이고 가용성이 높은 측정 및 분석 방법이 필요하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 기존에 구비된 휴대용 단말과 연동하여 원거리에서 실시간으로 방사선 모니터링이 가능한 시스템을 개발하였다. 모니터링 시스템은 검출부, 영상부, 통신부 세 부분으로 구성되었다. 검출부는 시스템의 소형화를 위해 실리콘 광증배소자(silicon photomultiplier) 기반 섬광검출기를 설계하였으며, 영상부는 무선 CCD (charge-coupled device)카메라 모듈을 사용하여 검출부와 함께 Bluetooth 통신모듈을 통해 휴대용 단말로 측정된 방사선 정보와 영상이 전송된다. 제작된 시스템은 성능 평가를 위해 진단용 X-ray 발생장치와 $^{137}Cs$, $^{22}Na$, $^{60}Co$, $^{204}Tl$, $^{90}Sr$ 선원을 사용하였다. 측정결과를 통해 개발된 시스템은 gamma, beta, X-ray에 대해서 검출 반응성을 확인하였고, 방사선 세기에 따른 응답 선형성과 MCNPX 전산코드를 이용한 측정 거리에 따른 시스템의 검출 정확도 평가 시 3% 내외의 오차범위를 확인하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 방사선 검출 시스템 구성의 비용절감 효과와 개인피폭정도관리에 기여할 것으로 기대한다.

• 한국지반공학회논문집
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• 제38권11호
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• pp.137-147
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• 2022

지하시설물의 정확한 매설위치를 파악하기 위해 다양한 지구물리탐사방법이 사용되고 있고, 정확도를 개선하기 위해 다수의 연구가 진행되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 우주선 뮤온이라는 입자를 활용하여 새로운 개념의 탐사 방법을 통해 지하매설물 탐사 가능성을 분석하였다. 신틸레이터(scintillator)와 광증배관(silicon photomultiplier)을 조합하여 소형 뮤온 검출기 시작품을 제작하고, 뮤온 입자 계수에 대한 보정 작업을 수행하였다. 시작품을 활용하여 모형 토조의 지반두께를 측정하였으며, 실측값과 약 3%의 오차로 실측값에 가까운 값을 추정할 수 있었다. 또한 뮤온 검출기를 지하매설물 탐사용으로 활용하기 위해 토모그래피 해석기술에 대한 이론적 기반을 분석하고, 천정각(zenith angle) 보정 방법을 제시하였다. 연구 결과 뮤온 입자에 의한 탐사는 밀도 그 자체를 고해상도로 해석하는 것이 가능한 기술로써 지하매설물 탐사를 위해 활용 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.2158-2165
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• 2023

Marine radioactivity monitoring is critical for taking immediate action in case of unexpected nuclear accidents at nuclear facilities located near coastal areas. Especially when the level of contamination is not predictable, mobile monitoring systems will be useful for wide-area ocean radiation survey and for determination of the level of radioactivity. Here, we used a silicon photomultiplier and a high-efficiency GAGG crystal to fabricate a compact, battery-powered gamma spectroscopy that can be used in an ocean environment. The developed spectroscopy has compact dimensions of 6.5 × 6.5× 8 cm³ and weighs 560 g. We used LoRa, a low-power wireless protocol for communication. Successful data transmission was achieved within 1.4 m water depth. The developed gamma spectroscopy was able to detect radioactivity from a ¹³⁷Cs point source (3.7 kBq) at a distance of 20 cm in water. Moreover, we demonstrated an unmanned radioactivity monitoring system in a real sea by combining unmanned surface vehicle with the developed gamma spectroscopy. A hidden ¹³⁷Cs source (3.07 MBq) was detected by the unmanned system at a distance of 3 m. After successfully testing the developed mobile spectroscopy in an ocean environment, we believe that our proposed system will be an effective solution for mobile real-time marine radioactivity monitoring.