Electrokinetic Process for D&D of Concrete Structures

Many facilities throughout the DOE complex are required to reside in a safe-storage (or surveillance and maintenance) mode until such time that funding resources are available to perform decontamination and demolition. Long-term monitoring systems are required to ensure against a contaminant release and provide rapid response in case such an event occurs. In addition, new or improved monitors or sensors are needed to record contaminant levels that would expose workers during deactivation and decontamination activities. This project will develop a sensor for this application by applying a concept for a solid-state photomultiplier (SSPM) detector. The sensor will combine long-term functionality with the ability to easily form sensor webs. Complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication techniques will provide a low-cost, process-controlled production method, and scintillation detection will provide a proven, high-efficiency nuclear detection method at low cost. Phase I will design and produce SSPM array chips and couple them to various scintillation materials. Experiments will be performed to determine the configuration that maintains low cost with maximum sensitivity. The Phase I prototype will be modified in Phase II to produce a packaged sensor with integrated support electronics. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Companies and national laboratories that monitor radiation should have a need for low cost digital ratemeters and dosimeters to improve monitoring, reduce liability, and improve record-keeping ability. In addition, nuclear, high energy, and atomic physics experiments, which use scintillator readout or direct detection of light, could benefit from the improved SSPMs