Theodore W Bowyer

US Patent:

7375334, May 20, 2008

Filed:

Aug 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/931411

Inventors:

Leon Eric Smith - Richland WA, US
Steven D. Miller - Richland WA, US
Theodore W. Bowyer - Oakton VA, US

Assignee:

Battelle Memorial Institute - Richland WA

International Classification:

G01J 3/00

US Classification:

25033907, 2503581, 2504831, 2504844

Abstract:

Compact, OSL-based devices for long-term, unattended radiation detection and spectroscopy are provided. In addition, a method for extracting spectroscopic information from these devices is taught. The devices can comprise OSL pixels and at least one radiation filter surrounding at least a portion of the OSL pixels. The filter can modulate an incident radiation flux. The devices can further comprise a light source and a detector, both proximally located to the OSL pixels, as well as a power source and a wireless communication device, each operably connected to the light source and the detector. Power consumption of the device ranges from ultra-low to zero. The OSL pixels can retain data regarding incident radiation events as trapped charges. The data can be extracted wirelessly or manually. The method for extracting spectroscopic data comprises optically stimulating the exposed OSL pixels, detecting a readout luminescence, and reconstructing an incident-energy spectrum from the luminescence.