High Performance Scintillator and Beam Monitoring System

Nuclear physics has a need for new enabling materials and technologies for next-generation detectors at DOE particle accelerator research facilities. In particular, improvements are needed in high-performance scintillator materials for detecting and counting charged particles over a wide range of energies. Integrated Sensors, LLC proposes the use of a new type of high-performance scintillator material as the key component in a novel beam monitoring system designed to provide important advantages over current technology. A novel new type of scintillator material is proposed that falls in the category of being an “intrinsic” scintillator, and appears to be significantly more radiation damage resistant than comparable scintillator materials. It also appears to have higher efficiency and is expected to have fast timing. A novel beam monitoring system has been designed for this material that can provide continuous real-time high-speed readout of beam position, shape and intensity, and possibly single particle position and timing. The system is designed to internally self-calibrate and should last many years before requiring service. The Phase-I program focus is on key component material testing, analysis and system specification for integration into the NSCL/FRIB beam line in Phase-II at Michigan State University (MSU), with possible future testing at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Program subcontractors include the University of Michigan / Physics, and MSU / NSCL. The commercial applications for the proposed technology are scientific, industrial and medical. The scientific applications are directed towards nuclear and high energy physics. For industrial applications there are more than ten thousand small accelerators and many could benefit by the proposed technology. However the greatest benefit should be in the medical field for the treatment of cancer by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). The proposed technology could improve the efficacy of treatment while also lowering the cost, by providing better and faster beam monitoring and therefore better beam control.