• Analysis and optimization of energy resolution of neutron-TPC

    分类: 核科学技术 >> 裂变堆工程技术 提交时间: 2023-06-18 合作期刊: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》

    摘要: Neutron-TPC (nTPC) is a fast neutron spectrometer based on GEM-TPC (Gas Electron Multiplier-Time Projection Chamber) and expected to be used in nuclear physics, nuclear reactor operation monitoring, and thermo-nuclear fusion plasma diagnostics. By measuring the recoiled proton energy and slopes of the proton tracks, the incident neutron energy can be deduced. It has higher n/ separation ability and higher detection efficiency than conventional neutron spectrometers. In this paper, neutron energy resolution of nTPC is studied using the analytical method. It is found that the neutron energy resolution is determined by 1) the proton energy resolution (Ep/Ep), and 2) standard deviation of slopes of the proton tracks caused by multiple Coulomb scattering (k(scattering)) and by the track fitting accuracy (k(fit)). Suggestions are made for optimizing energy resolution of nTPC. Proper choices of the cut parameters of reconstructed proton scattering angles (cut), the number of fitting track points (N), and the working gas help to improve the neutron energy resolution.

  • Performance simulation and structure design of Binode CdZnTe gamma-ray detector

    分类: 核科学技术 >> 核探测技术与核电子学 提交时间: 2023-06-18 合作期刊: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》

    摘要: A new electrode structure CdZnTe (Cadmium Zinc Telluride) detector named Binode CdZnTe has been proposed in this paper. Together with the softwares of MAXWELL, GEANT4, and ROOT, the charge collection process and its gamma spectrum of the detector have been simulated and the detector structure has been optimized. In order to improve its performance further, Compton scattering effect correction has been used. The simulation results demonstrate that with refined design and Compton scattering effect correction, Binode CdZnTe detectors is capable of achieving 3.92% FWHM at 122 keV, and 1.27% FWHM at 662 keV. Compared with other single-polarity (electron-only) detector configurations, Binode CdZnTe detector offers a cost effective and simple structure alternative with comparable energy resolution.

  • A practical image reconstruction and processing method for symmetrically off-center detector CBCT system

    分类: 核科学技术 >> 粒子加速器 提交时间: 2023-06-18 合作期刊: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》

    摘要: CBCT scanners have been widely used in angiography, radiotherapy guidance, mammography and oral maxillofacial imaging. To cut detector size, reduce manufacturing costs and radiation dose while keeping a reasonable FOV, the flat panel detector can be placed off-center horizontally. This scanning configuration extends the FOV effectively. However, each projection is transversely truncated, bringing errors and artifacts in reconstruction. In this paper, a simple but practical method is proposed for this scanning geometry based on truncation compensation and the modified FDK algorithm. Numerical simulations with jaw phantom were conducted to evaluate the accuracy and practicability of the proposed method. A novel CBCT system for maxillofacial imaging is used for clinical test, which is equipped with an off-center small size flat panel detector. Results show that reconstruction accuracy is acceptable for clinical use, and the image quality appears sufficient for specific diagnostic requirements. It provides a novel solution for clinical CBCT system, in order to reduce radiation dose and manufacturing cost.

  • An experimental study of dual-energy CT imaging using synchrotron radiation

    分类: 核科学技术 >> 粒子加速器 提交时间: 2023-06-18 合作期刊: 《Nuclear Science and Techniques》

    摘要: The measurement of electron density is important for medical diagnosis and charged particle radiotherapy treatment planning. Traditionally, electron density is obtained by CT imaging using the relationship between CT-number and electron densities established beforehand. However, the measurement is not accurate due to the beam hardening effect. In this paper, we propose a simple and practical electron density acquisition method based on dual-energy CT technique. For each sample, the CT imaging is conducted using two selected X-ray energy from synchrotron radiation. A post-processing dual-energy reconstruction method is used. Linear attenuation coefficients of the scanned samples are obtained by FBP reconstruction. The effective atomic number and electron density are got by solving the dual-energy simultaneous equations. Different phantoms and breast tissues were scanned in this experimental study under 10 keV and 30 keV monochromatic X-rays. The distribution of effective atomic numbers and electron densities of the scanned phantoms were obtained by Dual-energy CT image reconstruction, which agrees well with the theoretical values. Compared with conventional methods, the measurement accuracy is greatly improved, and the measurement error is reduced to about 1%. This experimental study demonstrates that DECT imaging based on synchrotron radiation source is applicable to medical diagnosis for quantitative measurement with high accuracy.