Jefferson Science Associates, LLC

Southeastern Universities Research Assn., Inc.

Southeastern Univ. Research Assn., Inc.

Southeastern University Research Assn., Inc.

Vladimir Popov

Pavel V Degtiarenko

Stanislaw Majewski

Randolph Frank Wojcik

Igor V Musatov

Georgii Loutts

A gated truncated readout system for position sensitive or imaging detectors that improves resolution over traditional readout systems. The readout system includes two or more amplifiers that receive a multichannel output analog data from the detector. Analog gates control circuitry, included in the readout circuit, receives the signals from the amplifiers, determines a fractional value of the sum-integral of the signals, and enables analog gates operation around an area of interest, disabling all other channels where noise dominates the signal value and thereby improving interpolation accuracy of the signals centroid position and the detector resolution. Filtered signals are transmitted to a centroid interpolation signal processing device for computation of the centroid position. As a result disabling all channels where noise dominates the signal value, the gated truncated readout system provides better accuracy improved detector resolution.

Gated truncated readout system

A fast neutron imaging apparatus and method of constructing fast neutron radiography images, the apparatus including a neutron source and a detector that provides event-by-event acquisition of position and energy deposition, and optionally timing and pulse shape for each individual neutron event detected by the detector. The method for constructing fast neutron radiography images utilizes the apparatus of the invention.

Fast neutron imaging device and method

A first stage electronic system for receiving charge or current from voltage-controlled sensors or detectors that includes a low input impedance current receiver/converter device (for example, a transimpedance amplifier), which is directly coupled to the sensor output, a source of bias voltage, and the device's power supply (or supplies), which use the biased voltage point as a baseline.

Biased low differential input impedance current receiver/converter device and method for low noise readout from voltage-controlled detectors

A method for dealing with the problem of simultaneous continuous readout of large number of data channels from the set of multiple sensors in instances where the use of multiple amplitude-to-digital converters is not practical or causes undesirable extra noise and distortion in the data. The new method uses sensor front-end s and subsequent electronics to transform the analog input signals and encode them into a series of short pulses that can be transmitted to a long distance via a high frequency transmission line without information loss. Upon arrival at a destination data decoder and analyzer device, the series of short pulses can be decoded and transformed back, to obtain, store, and utilize the sensor information with the required accuracy.

Method of multi-channel data readout and acquisition

A Photo-Multiplier Tube (PMT) base for supplying long-term stable power, gain control and output amplification to a PMT. The present PMT base integrates the circuitry required for the dynode stages of the PMT with an amplifying circuit that amplifies the PMT output signals without disturbing the stable power that is required by each of the dynode stages. In operation the PMT base is electrically and mechanically connected to a PMT. The circuits for the dynode stages primarily provide gain control for each dynode stage in the PMT. The amplifying circuit in the PMT base is electrically connected to a dynode, the anode or both a dynode and the anode of the PMT, from which the PMT output signal is received. A PMT high voltage divider supplies the power to the circuitry required for the dynode stages and the amplifying circuit in the PMT base. The PMT base can be replaceable and can replace PMT bases that do not have an integrated amplifier for the PMT output signal. The present PMT base extends the life of PMT's by reducing the currents consumed by the dynodes in the PMT.

Active photomultiplier tube base

A system for providing high-resolution display for a matrix output device, such as a Photo-Multiplier Tube (PMT) matrix, that requires a substantially less number of amplifiers than prior readout systems. A resistor matrix is coupled directly to the outputs of a matrix output device. The outputs in each row in the matrix are combined and amplified with an amplifier that is at an end of each row. Similarly, the outputs in each column of the matrix are combined and amplified with an amplifier at an end of each column. The amplifiers at the end of each row and column also provide conversion of the signals from a current to a voltage. The converted and amplified signals are then processed, using a simple yet accurate algorithm such as center of gravity interpolation, to determine location and other information. The determined information may relate to detection of photons on the PMTs, for example, and is provided as an output signal from the processing circuitry. The output signal from the processing circuitry can be sent to a display device such as a video monitor for display and further analysis of the determined information. The present imaging readout system provides substantial savings in the cost of production and operation of PMT systems, which typically have thousands of outputs requiring amplification for readout.

Matrix output device readout system

A readout circuit for an imaging detector that improves resolution and increases field of view in a display compared to traditional readout circuits. The readout circuit comprises two or more amplifiers that receive a row or column of outputs from the imaging detector. Subtraction circuitry, included in the readout circuit, receives the signals from the amplifiers, determines a fractional value of the sum of the signals, and subtracts the fractional value from each signal thereby producing both positive and negative signals. A rail to rail amplifier operating from a signale voltage supply eliminates one polarity of the signals making the signals unipolar. A combining circuit receives the unipolar signals and combines them to produce two readout circuit outputs that are transmitted to a computer to be displayed.

Fractional substraction resistive readout for position sensitive photo-multiplier tubes

An introperative surgical probe incorporating both a fiber optic imaging system and multi-element beta/gamma radiation directional indicating system is described.

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Newport News, VA, United States of America

Vladimir Popov