A Multi-Layer Phoswich Radioxenon Detection System, Reporting Period 07/01/07 - 09/30/07

摘要

During this quarter, the detector manufacturer (Saint-Gobain) delivered one side of the prototype two-channel phoswich detector (XEPHWICH). Once received, our Digital Pulse Processor (DPP1, 12-bit/100 MHz) was employed to capture and digitally process phoswich pulses from laboratory radioactive sources. Our previous pulse shape discrimination algorithm was modified by utilizing three trapezoidal digital filters. This algorithm provides a two-dimensional plot in which the pulse shapes of interest are classified and then can be well identified. The preliminary experimental results will be presented at the 2007 Informal Xenon Monitoring Workshop. The DPP2 (two-channel, 12-bit/ 250 MHz Digital Pulse Processor) is at the prototyping stage. The analog sections have been designed, prototyped and tested. A 6-layer Printed Circuit Board (PCB) was designed, ordered and delivered. The board components were ordered and are now being assembled and examined for proper functionality. In addition, the related FPGA hardware description code (using VHDL) is under development and simulation. Additionally, our researchers have been studying materials regarding wavelet transforms for incorporation into the project. Wavelet transform is an interesting tool for signal processing; one use for our purpose would be to de-noise the detector signal and to express the signal in a few coefficients for signal compression and increased speed. Light capture efficiency modeling and analysis was performed on the XEPHWICH design. Increased understanding of the modeling software was obtained by the discovery of a bug and successful workaround techniques with the DETECT2000 software. Further modeling and plot generation experience was had by the continued use of CERN's ROOT and GEANT4 software packages. Simulations have been performed to compare the output of points versus planes in light capture efficiency. An additional simulation was made with a runtime that was an order-of-magnitude greater than previous simulations, to confirm convergence of the solutions provided by our software methods. We have initiated our investigation into the radon signature expected in our XEPHWICH system. We intend to utilize this signature to confirm earth movement, in the event of an underground nuclear explosion, by continuously monitoring radon levels and noting increases in radon concentration in conjunction with increased levels of radioxenons. The research group is also designing and constructing a fission chamber to be used for the collection of radioxenon gases following neutron bombardment of HEU in the Oregon State University TRIGA reactor. To this point, we have completed milling the aluminum housing and have modeled fission product nuclide production associated with the fissioning of HEU. Additionally, the students have been busy compiling the appropriate information in preparation for irradiation approvals. Using beta spectra of three initial nuclides collected on the prototype phoswich detector, spectral identification by a preliminary neural network was compared to that of solvers of a linear system of equations. Pre-processing in areas such as smoothing and endpoint identification is also being investigated as a means of improving spectral identification.