Low Cost Manufacturing Process for Sodium Iodide Detectors

An unconventional, continuous, and flexible manufacturing process is proposed for the production of sodium iodide detectors. The steps of crystal growing and substantially simplified detector machining are integrated into one streamline process based on proven techniques with minimal capital investment. This new production process will drastically reduce the manufacturing cost. A leading commercial collaborator will evaluate the performance of prototype detectors prepared according to specifications to replace single crystal sodium iodide detectors (reference detectors) in its popular radiation detection system. Preparing prototype detectors as replacement detectors will help to jump-start the commercialization process once the new detectors meets the performance specified by the collaborator. Critical technical data, including acceptable detector performance specifications established in Phase I will guide the Phase II pilot production of low cost sodium iodide detector, and guide the collaborator¡_s development of low cost electronics and detection systems. In addition, the flexibility of the new integrated production process permits new detector designs and innovative applications.