TlBr Detectors for Radiation Pagers

RMD is proposing to construct a compact detector module utilizing a TlBr semiconductor device as the radiation sensitive element. While designed for pager applications, the highly efficient nature of TlBr and its spectroscopic potential will produce a detector technology that should greatly expand the capabilities of these instruments. The development will first require an evaluation of large volume detector designs, and accounting for trade-offs in spectroscopic performance, efficiency and electronic complexity. Additional tasks will include evaluating the detector over a wide range of operating conditions, to insure that requirements set forth in ANSI standards N42.32 are met, and determining best practices in certain key fabrication aspects that are vital to insuring long working lifetimes. The Phase 1 effort will result in a basic module design, including the device layout and readout requirements. In its completed state, the TlBr technology will provide a new level of performance to the Nation's capabilities in monitoring the flow of radioactive materials within its borders. Other potential commercial applications include nuclear medicine, space and geological sciences and industrial non-destructive testing.