In the realm of energy journalism, it’s crucial to stay abreast of scientific advancements that could potentially impact the energy sector. One such development comes from researchers Rahul Lall, Youngho Seo, Ali M. Niknejad, and Mekhail Anwar, affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley. Their recent work focuses on a novel gamma photon spectrometer, which, while primarily aimed at medical applications, could have intriguing implications for the energy industry.
The researchers have developed a compact, integrated circuit-based gamma (γ) photon spectrometer, implemented in 180 nm CMOS technology. This device is designed to measure single γ photons and their incident energy with high precision. The spectrometer uses small, reverse-biased diodes that generate millivolt-scale voltage signals in response to incident γ photons. Instead of measuring the voltage drop directly, the device measures the decay time it takes for the generated voltage signal to settle back to DC after a γ detection event. This approach allows for low-power energy spectrometry.
The spectrometer comes with three different pixel architectures, enabling configurable pixel sensitivity, energy resolution, and energy dynamic range. This configurability is particularly useful given the heterogeneous nature of surgical and patient presentations in radioguided surgery (RGS). The device was tested with three common γ-emitting radioisotopes (64Cu, 133Ba, 177Lu), and demonstrated the ability to resolve activities down to 1 microCurie (uCi) with sub-keV energy resolution and a 1.315 MeV energy dynamic range, using 5-minute acquisitions.
While this research is primarily focused on medical applications, specifically RGS for tumor resection, the underlying technology could have practical applications in the energy sector. For instance, the precise measurement of γ photon energies could enhance nuclear energy production and safety. The ability to accurately detect and measure γ radiation could improve monitoring and control systems in nuclear power plants, leading to more efficient and safer operations. Additionally, this technology could be instrumental in nuclear waste management, where precise measurement of radioactive materials is crucial.
The research was published in the journal Nature Communications, a reputable source for scientific research across various disciplines. As energy journalists, it’s essential to keep an eye on such interdisciplinary advancements, as they often pave the way for innovative solutions in the energy sector.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.