Publications

This report documents an effort to improve the energy resolution for a thallium doped cesium iodide (CsI:T1) scintillator paired with a spectrum matching photomultiplier tube (PMT). A comparison of the differences in the pulse height spectra from thallium doped (CsI:T1) and sodium doped (CsI:Na) single crystals with PMTs of different spectrum responses was performed. Results show that energy resolution of the detector only improves 0.5% at room temperature when these scintillators are coupled with a spectrum matching PMT. Based on a spectrum matching PMT, the best results for energy resolution are 7.39% and 7.88% for CsI:T1 and CsI:Na scintillators, respectively. The improvement is primarily attributed to the increase of photon statistics from the increase of photons (N) being detected in the spectrum matching PMT. Other factors, such as optical quantum yield and non-proportionality of the CsI:T1 and CsI:Na crystals, that can affect the energy resolution were also studied and reported. The results indicate that although the use of a spectrum matching PMT enhances the photon statistics, it also exacerbates the nonproportionality response. Consequently, a promised improvement on energy resolution due solely to photon statistics was not fully realized.

Time dependent photoluminescence and radioluminescence for sodium (Na) and thallium (Tl) activated cesium iodide (CsI) single crystals exposed to 50% and 75% relative humidity (RH) has been investigated. These results indicate that Tl activated crystals are more robust than the Na activated crystals against humidity induced scintillation degradation. The development of 'etching pits' and 'inactive' domains are the characteristics of deteriorated Na activated CsI crystals. These 'inactive' domains, bearing a resemblance to a polycrystalline appearance beneath the crystal surface, can be readily detected by a 250 nm light emitting diode. These features are commonly observed at the corners and deep scratched areas where moisture condensation is more likely to occur. Mechanisms contributing to the scintillation degradation in Na activated CsI crystals were investigated by Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). ToF-SIMS depth profiles indicate that Na has been preferentially diffused out of CsI crystal, leaving the Na concentration in these 'inactive' domains below its scintillation threshold. © 1963-2012 IEEE.

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Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) has been identified as a critical technology in support of the NASA Space Exploration Initiative (SEI). In order to safely develop a reliable, reusable, long-lived flight engine, facilities are required that will support ground tests to qualify the nuclear rocket engine design. Initial nuclear fuel element testing will need to be performed in a facility that supports a realistic thermal and neutronic environment in which the fuel elements will operate at a fraction of the power of a flight weight reactor/engine. Ground testing of nuclear rocket engines is not new. New restrictions mandated by the National Environmental Protection Act of 1970, however, now require major changes to be made in the manner in which reactor engines are now tested. These new restrictions now preclude the types of nuclear rocket engine tests that were performed in the past from being done today, A major attribute of a safely operating ground test facility is its ability to prevent fission products from being released in appreciable amounts to the environment. Details of the intricacies and complications involved with the design of a fuel element ground test facility are presented in this report with a strong emphasis on safety and economy.