Effect of Commercial Off-The-Shelf MAPS on γ-Ray Ionizing Radiation Response to Different Integration Times and Gains.

Shoulong Xu,Jaap Velthuis,Kuicheng Lin,Qifan Wu,Yantao Qu,Zengyan Li,Lana Beck,Shuliang Zou,Yongchao Han

doi:10.3390/s19224950

Abstract

We report the γ-ray ionizing radiation response of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) monolithic active-pixel sensors (MAPS) with different integration times and gains. The distribution of the eight-bit two-dimensional matrix of MAPS output frame images was studied for different parameter settings and dose rates. We present the first results of the effects of these parameters on the response of the sensor and establish a linear relationship between the average response signal and radiation dose rate in the high-dose rate range. The results show that the distribution curves can be separated into three ranges. The first range is from 0 to 24, which generates the first significant low signal peak. The second range is from 25 to 250, which shows a smooth gradient change with different integration times, gains, and dose rates. The third range is from 251 to 255, where a final peak appears, which has a relationship with integral time, gain, and dose rate. The mean pixel value shows a linear dependence on the radiation dose rate, albeit with different calibration constants depending on the integration time and gain. Hence, MAPS can be used as a radiation monitoring device with good precision.

Highlights

In a nuclear accident or in a strong radiation field, the detection of high dose-rate radiation and wide-range γ-rays is expensive and inefficient [1]
Arbor et al reported a linear relationship between the monolithic active-pixel sensors (MAPS) radiation response signal, and the dose rate
We investigated the effect of integration time and gain of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) MAPS on ionizing radiation detection

Summary

Introduction

In a nuclear accident or in a strong radiation field, the detection of high dose-rate radiation and wide-range γ-rays is expensive and inefficient [1]. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) monolithic active-pixel sensors (MAPS) as a γ-ray radiation detector has been reported. Martín Pérez et al observed that the radiation response characteristic can be used for radiometric imaging [2], and that MAPS can be used to classify particles and the sensor is sensitive to soft X-rays [3]. Galimberti and Wang reported successful radiation detection using commercial off-the-shelf MAPS [4]. Microcontrollers and ZigBee modules in combination with MAPS to detect low-energy radiation [5,6]. Arbor et al reported a linear relationship between the MAPS radiation response signal, and the dose rate

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion