• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.725-731
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• 2020

A radiation spectroscopy detector using a spherical scintillator was designed, and a system was developed to track the position of a radiation source using several detectors. The position tracking algorithm was designed based on the theory that the number of radiations decreases according to the inverse square law of distance, and the position of the radiation source was calculated by measuring the number of radiations generated from the radiation sources at various positions. The radiation generated from the radiation source is detected by different coefficients in each detector, and the difference between these detected coefficients varies in proportion to the inverse square of the distance. Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) simulation was performed to verify and evaluate the performance of the designed radiation source position tracking system, and radiation generated from radiation sources placed at different positions was counted with each detector. The number of measured radiations was tracked through the radiation source position tracking algorithm, and the error between the actual radiation source position and the position calculated by the algorithm was evaluated. The error between the position of the actual radiation source and the calculated position was measured as an average of 0.11% on the X-axis and 0.37% on the Y-axis, and it was verified that the position can be measured very accurately.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.167-174
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• 2023

Background: A nondestructive test is commonly used to inspect the surface defects and internal structure of an object without any physical damage. X-rays generated from an electron accelerator or a tube are one of the methods used for nondestructive testing. The high penetration of X-rays through materials with low atomic numbers makes it difficult to discriminate between these materials using X-ray imaging. The interaction characteristics of neutrons with materials can supplement the limitations of X-ray imaging in material discrimination. Materials and Methods: The radiation image acquisition process for air-cargo security inspection equipment using X-rays and neutrons was simulated using a GEometry ANd Tracking (Geant4) simulation toolkit. Radiation images of phantoms composed of 13 materials were obtained, and the R-value, representing the attenuation ratio of neutrons and gamma rays in a material, was calculated from these images. Results and Discussion: The R-values were calculated from the simulated X-ray and neutron images for each phantom and compared with those obtained in the experiments. The R-values obtained from the experiments were higher than those obtained from the simulations. The difference can be due to the following two causes. The first reason is that there are various facilities or equipment in the experimental environment that scatter neutrons, unlike the simulation. The other is the difference in the neutron signal processing. In the simulation, the neutron signal is the sum of the number of neutrons entering the detector. However, in the experiment, the neutron signal was obtained by superimposing the intensities of the neutron signals. Neutron detectors also detect gamma rays, and the neutron signal cannot be clearly distinguished in the process of separating the two types of radiation. Despite these differences, the two results showed similar trends and the viability of using simulation-based radiation images, particularly in the field of security screening. With further research, the simulation-based radiation images can replace ones from experiments and be used in the related fields. Conclusion: The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has developed air-cargo security inspection equipment using neutrons and X-rays. Using this equipment, radiation images and R-values for various materials were obtained. The equipment was reconstructed, and the R-values were obtained for 13 materials using the Geant4 simulation toolkit. The R-values calculated by experiment and simulation show similar trends. Therefore, we confirmed the feasibility of using the simulation-based radiation image.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.723-728
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• 2009

The response property of the CZT detector ($5{\times}5{\times}5\;mm^3$), widely used in photon spectroscopy, was evaluated by considering the charge collection efficiency, which depends on the interaction position of incident radiation, A quantitative analysis of the energy spectra obtained from the CZT detector was also performed to investigate the tail effect at the low energy side of the full energy peak. The collection efficiency of electrons and holes to the two electrodes (i.e., cathode and anode) was calculated from the Hecht equation, and radiation transport analysis was performed by two Monte Carlo codes, Geant4 and MCNPX. The radiation source was assumed to be 59.5 keV gamma rays emitted from a $^{241}Am$ source into the cathode surface of this detector, and the detector was assumed to be biased to 500 V between the two electrodes. Through the comparison of the results between the Geant4 calculation considering the charge collection efficiency and the ideal case from MCNPX, an pronounced difference of 4 keV was found in the full energy peak position. The tail effect at the low energy side of the full energy peak was confirmed to be caused by the collection efficiency of electrons and holes. In more detail, it was shown that the tail height caused by the charge collection efficiency went up to 1000 times the pulse height in the same energy bin at the calculation without considering the charge collection efficiency. It is, therefore, apparent that research considering the charge collection efficiency is necessary in order to properly analyze the characteristics of CZT detectors.

• Journal of Advanced Navigation Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.651-658
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• 2017

There were many studies on the development of radiation measuring instruments to detect the presence of radiation. In particular, the signal processing method and treatment without loss of the detection signal are very important. The common feature for these studies is the peak-hold method that keeps the peak value of input signal uniform for a short time, readouts its value, discharges electrical value, and then waits for next signal. We propose the new methodology to capture the pulse peak value from the radiation detector and read the value directly other than peak-hold method. This method has merit of accurate reading the input signal pulse peak value without complicate process of holding for a period or initializing of input signal, and then be verified to be adequate through simulation of actual example.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2015

The scatter photons and photoneutrons from high energy photon beams (more than 10 MV) will increase the undesired dose to the patient and the staff working in linear accelerator room. This undesired dose which is found at out-of-field area can increase the probability of secondary malignancy. The purpose of this study is to determine the equivalent dose of scatter photons and neutrons generated by 3 different treatment techniques: 3D-conformal, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The measurement was performed using two types of the optically stimulation luminescence detectors (OSL and OSLN) in the Alderson Rando phantom that was irradiated by 3 different treatment techniques following the actual prostate cancer treatment plans. The scatter photon and neutron equivalent dose were compared among the 3 treatments techniques at the surface in the out-of-field area and the critical organs. Maximum equivalent dose of scatter photons and neutrons was found when using the IMRT technique. The scatter neutrons showed average equivalent doses of 0.26, 0.63 and $0.31mSv{\cdot}Gy^{-1}$ at abdominal surface region which was 20 cm from isocenter for 3D, IMRT and VMAT, respectively. The scattered photons equivalent doses were 6.94, 10.17 and $6.56mSv{\cdot}Gy^{-1}$ for 3D, IMRT and VMAT, respectively. For the 5 organ dose measurements, the scattered neutron and photon equivalent doses in out of field from the IMRT plan were highest. The result revealed that the scatter equivalent doses for neutron and photon were higher for IMRT. So the suitable treatment techniques should be selected to benefit the patient and the treatment room staff.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SD
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.1-5
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• 2008

This paper analyzes on the radiation effect of silicon solar cells in a low Earth orbit satellite by using high energy electron beams. Generally, the satellite circling round in a low orbit go through Van Allen belt, in which electronic components are easily damaged and shortened by charged particles moving in a cycle between the South Pole and the North Pole. For example, Single Event Upset (SEU) by radiation could cause electronic devices on satellite to malfunction. From the ground experiment in which we used the high energy electron beam facility at Knrea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), we tried to explain sun sensor degradations on orbit could he caused by high energy electrons. While we focused on the solar cells used for light detectors, We convince our research also contributes to understand the radiation effect of solar cells generating electric powers on satellites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.330-330
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• 2007

Polycrystalline mercuric iodide $HgI_2$) films are being developed as a new detector technology for digital x-ray imaging. The $HgI_2$ is generally vacuum deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) process. But the PVD thick deposition has been caused any instability in the biasing due to any defects or cracks. In this work we present a new particle-in-binder (PIB) methodologies used for the $HgI_2$ thick films. These growth techniques can be easily extended to produce much larger film areas. This paper, for the first time, presents results and comparison of polycrystalline $HgI_2$ films derived by various PIB methods. We investigated the structural and morphological properties of the films using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The films were characterized with respect to their electrical properties and in response to x-ray photons. Physical and electrical results were also compared between conventional polycrystalline PVD and our detectors. Leakage current as low as $350\;pA/cm^2$ at the bias voltage of ~ 200 V has been observed. And high sensitivity and good linearity in the response to x-rays was obtained in the film derived by PIB sedimentation method. Our future efforts will concentrate on optimization of film growth techniques for uniform large area deposition on image readout arrays.

• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.31-39
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• 2020

According to lessons learned from an accident of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, it is advisable to make a comprehensive radiation survey by the accident phase for efficient response and risk management using diverse survey platforms. This study focuses on the technical status of environmental radiation monitoring using a UAV (Unmanned aerial vehicle) and the performance test of developed aerial survey system based on two detectors with an high energy resolution through the field application to contaminated areas. Finally, the performance of aerial survey at diverse flight heights was successfully achieved by introducing the correction factor to represent the results into ambient dose rate at 1m above the ground.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

Background: The detectors of both computed radiography (CR) and direct digital radiography (DR) have a wide dynamic range that could tolerate high values of exposure factors without an adverse effect on image quality. Therefore, this study aims to assess patient radiation dose and proposes institutional diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for two teaching hospitals in Ghana. Materials and Methods: CR and DR systems were utilized in this study from two teaching hospitals. The CR system was manufactured by Philips Medical Systems DMC GmbH, while the DR system was manufactured by General Electric. The entrance skin doses (ESDs) were calculated using the standard equation and the tube output measurements. Free-in-air kerma (µGy) was measured using a calibrated radiation dosimeter. The proposed institutional DRLs were estimated using 75^th percentiles values of the estimated ESDs for nine radiographic projections. Results and Discussion: The calculated DRLs were 0.4, 1.6, 3.4, 0.5, 0.4, 1.1, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.7 mGy for chest posteroanterior (PA), lumbar spine anteroposterior (AP), lumbar spine lateral (LAT), cervical spine AP, cervical spine LAT, skull PA, pelvis AP, and abdomen AP, respectively in CR system. In the DR system, the values were 0.3, 1.6, 3.1, 0.4, 0.3, 0.7, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.3 for chest PA, lumbar spine AP, lumbar spine LAT, cervical spine AP, cervical spine LAT, skull PA, pelvis AP, and abdomen AP, respectively. Conclusion: Institutional DRLs in nine radiographic projections have been proposed for two teaching hospitals in Ghana for the first time. The proposed DRLs will serve as baseline data for establishing local DRLs in the hospitals and will be a valuable tool in optimizing patient doses.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.290-297
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• 2009

In case of radiation treatment using small field high-energy photon beams, an accurate dosimetry is a challenging task because of dosimetrically unfavorable phenomena such as dramatic changes of the dose at the field boundaries, dis-equilibrium of the electrons, and non-uniformity between the detector and the phantom materials. In this study, the absorbed dose in the phantom was measured by using an ion chamber and a diode detector widely used in clinics. $GAFCHROMIC^{(R)}$ EBT films composed of water equivalent materials was also evaluated as a small field detector and compared with ionchamber and diode detectors. The output factors at 10 cm depth of a solid phantom located 100 cm from the 6 MV linear accelerator (Varian, 6 EX) source were measured for 6 field sizes ($5{\times}5\;cm^2$, $2{\times}2\;cm^2$, $1.5{\times}1.5\;cm^2$, $1{\times}1\;cm^2$, $0.7{\times}0.7\;cm^2$ and $0.5{\times}0.5\;cm^2$). As a result, from $5{\times}5\;cm^2$ to $1.5{\times}1.5\;cm^2$ field sizes, absorbed doses from three detectors were accurately identified within 1%. Wheres, the ion chamber underestimated dose compared to other detectors in the field sizes less than $1{\times}1\;cm^2$. In order to correct the observed underestimation, a convolution method was employed to eliminate the volume averaging effect of an ion chamber. Finally, in $1{\times}1\;cm^2$ field the absorbed dose with a diode detector was about 3% higher than that with the EBT film while the dose with the ion chamber after volume correction was 1% lower. For $0.5{\times}0.5\;cm^2$ field, the dose with the diode detector was 1% larger than that with the EBT film while dose with volume corrected ionization chamber was 7% lower. In conclusion, the possibility of $GAFCHROMIC^{(R)}$ EBT film as an small field dosimeter was tested and further investigation will be proceed using Monte Calro simulation.