Windowless Alpha/Beta Detector

Alpha/beta detectors suffer frequent service disruptions as a result of punctures or damage to the fragile aluminized Mylar window common to the detectors on the market today. Both military and commercial users would greatly benefit from having a more durable instrument for alpha/beta radiation detection. To address this deficiency, Corvid Technologies has developed a novel protective layer that replaces the fragile window with a very thin composite layer that permits the detection of alpha/beta particles and is completely opaque to ambient light. In prior DTRA Phase I and Phase II SBIR programs, Corvid developed the ruggedized scintillator and successfully demonstrated its use as part of a custom built, handheld alpha/beta detector. A brassboard prototype of Corvid’s alpha/beta detector was constructed using a custom light guide and silicon photomultipliers instead of photomultiplier tubes, which significantly reduced the size, weight, and power required for operation compared to conventional alpha/beta detectors. Corvid is proposing a second Phase II effort that is aimed at enhancing the performance of our ruggedized alpha/beta scintillator. Our main objective for this effort is to refine our fabrication process in order to produce scintillators that match or exceed the performance when installed in commercially available, conventional windowed alpha/beta detectors. We can improve the performance of our ruggedized scintillator through the completion of three technical objectives. The first objective is to increase alpha detection efficiency by reducing the thickness of our protective layer while maintaining its opacity to ambient light. The second objective focuses on increasing alpha scintillation luminosity by exploring better light-reflecting layers to redirect the light produced within the scintillator more effectively. The third objective is to develop quality controls for large scale production to prepare for commercial integration of this technology. These design improvements will ensure that Corvid’s ruggedized scintillator will perform as well as windowed scintillators when used as a replacement on commercial alpha/beta detectors.