Abstract

Subject of study. This study is focused on a scintillation optical-electronic converter of gamma radiation based on a silicon photomultiplier. Purpose of the work. This study was carried out to develop an optical-electronic converter of gamma radiation for personal use and operation as part of distributed radiation monitoring systems, under mechanical influences and electromagnetic fields and with an increased transfer characteristic linearity range and improved relative energy resolution. Method. An analysis of the signal-conversion processes in a scintillation optical-electronic converter of gamma radiation is carried out, and a computer simulation and experimental study of the converter are also performed. Main results. The optical-electronic gamma-radiation converter was developed for personal use and operation as part of the distributed radiation monitoring systems in the field. A method for selecting the dimensions of the optical system for the matching of a scintillation crystal and a silicon photomultiplier in addition to the type and parameters of its reflective surfaces was developed, which made it possible to increase the linearity range of the converter transfer characteristic by increasing the uniformity of the photomultiplier irradiation. An algorithm is proposed for estimating the contribution of signal losses from photons arriving at a microcell of a silicon photomultiplier during the restoration of its sensitivity to the relative energy resolution of the converter in experimental studies of the uniformity of irradiation distribution. Practical significance. An optical-electronic converter of gamma radiation has been developed with an increase in the linearity range of the transfer characteristic of up to two times with an integral nonlinearity of the energy characteristic of no more than 1% and an improved relative energy resolution by at least 10% for the peak energy of 662 keV of the reference ¹³⁷Cs source. The optical-electronic converter is designed for personal use and operation as part of distributed radiation monitoring systems in the field.

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