A two-dimensional imaging system and a two-dimensional or three-dimensional optical tomographic mapping system, each employing gas scintillation induced by ionizing radiation, i.e., radioluminescence, and corresponding methods, are disclosed. The systems may employ one or more cameras and corresponding UV filters (potentially solar blind filters) for imaging a radioluminescent scene. For two-dimensional or three-dimensional mapping, the resultant UV images are spatially registered with one another and then reconstructed to form a three-dimensional tomographic map of the ionizing radiation. The two-dimensional map is a plane of the three-dimensional map. The UV images may be spatially registered by using a reference source, optionally, a calibrated reference source allowing dosimetry calculations for the ionizing radiation. Molecular nitrogen is the primary candidate for the radioluminescent gas, though a controlled ambient in a chamber of nitric oxide, argon, krypton, or xenon may be employed. The reconstruction process employs an algebraic reconstruction technique or an Abel inversion.

An asymmetric dual-mode ionization chamber measurement system can include a first high-voltage plate, a second high-voltage plate and a readout plate. The first high-voltage plate can be disposed from the readout plate by a first active volume. The second high-voltage plate can be disposed from the readout plate by a second active volume. A high-voltage potential can be coupled to the first high-voltage plate during a first mode, and to the second high-voltage plate during a second mode. Ion pairs generated by a radiation stream passing through the first active volume during the first mode and the second active volume during the second mode can be measured at the readout plate to determine a radiation rate of the ionizing radiation. The asymmetric dual-mode ionization chamber measurement system can advantageously measure different radiation streams that have significantly different ranges of radiation rates flux.

A sensor comprising a vapor cell including a vapor of alkali atoms is disclosed. The sensor further comprises a first photonic integrated circuit (PIC) configured to direct light of a first wavelength into the vapor cell and incident on the vapor of alkali atoms, wherein the light of the first wavelength is configured to excite the alkali atoms to a first excited state from a ground state. The sensor further comprises a detector configured to detect a response of the alkali atoms, after the alkali atoms are excited from the first excited state to a Rydberg state, to incident electromagnetic radiation.

A sensor comprising a vapor cell including a vapor of alkali atoms is disclosed. The sensor further comprises a first photonic integrated circuit (PIC) configured to direct light of a first wavelength into the vapor cell and incident on the vapor of alkali atoms, wherein the light of the first wavelength is configured to excite the alkali atoms to a first excited state from a ground state. The sensor further comprises a detector configured to detect a response of the alkali atoms, after the alkali atoms are excited from the first excited state to a Rydberg state, to incident electromagnetic radiation.

A converter unit configured to convert incident photons into electrons comprises multiple blind holes forming respective ionization chambers. In additional embodiments, the converter unit is arranged in a detector, such as an X-ray detector or absolute radiation dose measurement detector, additionally comprising an electron amplification device and/or a readout device.

A converter unit configured to convert incident photons into electrons comprises multiple blind holes forming respective ionization chambers. In additional embodiments, the converter unit is arranged in a detector, such as an X-ray detector or absolute radiation dose measurement detector, additionally comprising an electron amplification device and/or a readout device.

An environmental radiation detector for detecting and distinguishing between all types of environmental radiation, including photons, charged particles, and neutrons. A large volume high pressure ionization chamber (HPIC) includes BF.sub.3 gas at a specific concentration to render the radiation detector sensitive to the reactions of neutron capture in Boron-10 isotope. A pulse-mode readout is connected to the ionization chamber capable of measuring both the height and the width of the pulse. The heavy charged products of the neutron capture reaction deposit significant characteristic energy of the reaction in the immediate vicinity of the reaction in the gas, producing a signal with a pulse height proportional to the reaction energy, and a narrow pulse width corresponding to the essentially pointlike energy deposition in the gas. Readout of the pulse height and the pulse width parameters of the signals enables distinguishing between the different types of environmental radiation, such as gamma (x-rays), cosmic muons, and neutrons.

An environmental radiation detector for detecting and distinguishing between all types of environmental radiation, including photons, charged particles, and neutrons. A large volume high pressure ionization chamber (HPIC) includes BF.sub.3 gas at a specific concentration to render the radiation detector sensitive to the reactions of neutron capture in Boron-10 isotope. A pulse-mode readout is connected to the ionization chamber capable of measuring both the height and the width of the pulse. The heavy charged products of the neutron capture reaction deposit significant characteristic energy of the reaction in the immediate vicinity of the reaction in the gas, producing a signal with a pulse height proportional to the reaction energy, and a narrow pulse width corresponding to the essentially pointlike energy deposition in the gas. Readout of the pulse height and the pulse width parameters of the signals enables distinguishing between the different types of environmental radiation, such as gamma (x-rays), cosmic muons, and neutrons.

The present invention relates to a detector (22′) for detecting ionizing radiation, comprising: a directly converting semi-conductor layer (36) for producing charge carriers in response to incident ionizing radiation; and a plurality of electrodes (34) corresponding to pixels for registering the charge carriers and generate a signal corresponding to registered charge carriers; wherein an electrode of the plurality of electrodes (34) is structured to two-dimensionally intertwine with at least two adjacent electrodes to register the charge carriers by said electrode and by at least one adjacent electrode. The present invention further relates to a detection method and to an imaging apparatus.

An ultra-thin radiation detector includes a radiation detector gas chamber having at least one ultra-thin chamber window and an ultra-thin first substrate contained within the gas chamber. The detector further includes a second substrate generally parallel to and coupled to the first substrate and defining a gas gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The detector further includes a discharge gas between the substrates and contained within the gas chamber, where the discharge gas is free to circulate within the gas chamber and between the first and second substrates at a given gas pressure. The detector further includes a first electrode coupled to one of the substrates and a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode. The detector further includes a first discharge event detector coupled to at least one of the electrodes for detecting a gas discharge counting event in the electrode.