Mapping and imaging ionizing radiation in two and three dimensions
| DWPI Title: Optical tomographic mapping system for mapping ionizing radiation, has camera adapted to-be responsive to ultraviolet radioluminescence induced by ionizing radiation, and image processor for receiving ultraviolet images outputted by camera |
| Abstract: 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. |
| Use: Two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) optical tomographic mapping system for mapping ionizing radiation using UV imaging based on gas scintillation i.e. radioluminescence of excited gas, for carrying enough energy to detach electrons from atoms or molecules in various fields. Uses include but are not limited to medicine e.g. imaging and treatment, nuclear power, research, manufacturing and construction. |
| Advantage: The system generates 2D images and both 2D and 3D tomographic maps of ionizing radiation with requisite spatial and temporal resolution in a practical and rapid manner, and minimizes a number of non-zero entries in weighting matrix so as to reduce processing time consumption. The system ensures that the ionizing radiation can be detected remotely so as to minimize exposure to the ionizing radiation by an operator. |
| Novelty: The system (100) has a camera (110A-110C) i.e. solar blind camera, adapted to-be responsive to ultraviolet (UV) radioluminescence induced by ionizing radiation (130), where each camera is adapted to output a corresponding UV image. An image processor (150) is adapted to receive the UV images outputted by the camera, where the image processor includes a memory that stores instructions. The image processor spatially registers the UV images and reconstructs a three-dimensional tomographic map based upon the spatially registered UV images, where each of the camera includes a corresponding UV filter (120A-120C). Each UV filter is adapted to pass wavelength or wavelength range of UV radioluminescence induced by the ionizing radiation. |
| Filed: 1/5/2021 |
| Application Number: US17141270A |
| Tech ID: SD 14954.1 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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