Systems and methods for monitoring radiation in well logging

A method for operating a radiation generator in a downhole tool, comprising:

• generating, using a radiation generator in the downhole tool, radiation based at least in part on electrical power received from a power source, wherein a first portion of the radiation is emitted from the downhole tool to a surrounding subsurface formation and a second portion of the radiation is emitted from the radiation generator to a first radiation detector, wherein:
• the first radiation detector comprises a micromesh gaseous detector;
• a first radiation absorbing material having a first thickness and a second radiation absorbing material different than the first radiation absorbing material having a second thickness different than the first thickness are disposed between the radiation generator and the first radiation detector;
• and
• the second portion of the radiation passes through the first radiation absorbing material, the second radiation material, or both prior to entering the first radiation detector;
• outputting, using the micromesh gaseous detector, a first measurement signal indicative of interaction between the micromesh gaseous detector and the second portion of the radiation generated by the radiation generator;
• determining, using a control system, a measured characteristic of the radiation generated by the radiation generator based at least in part on the first measurement signal;
• and
• controlling, using the control system, operation of the radiation generator based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the radiation generated by the radiation generator.

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium configured to store instructions executable by one or more processors of a control system to control operation of a downhole tool, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to:

• determine, using the one or more processors, operational parameters used by a radiation generator in the downhole tool to generate radiation;
• determine, using the one or more processors, target characteristics of the radiation to be emitted from the downhole tool to a surrounding subsurface formation;
• receive, using the one or more processors, first sensor data indicated by electrical current output from a micromesh gaseous detector based at least in part on interaction between the micromesh gaseous detector and at least a portion of the radiation output from the radiation generator, said portion of the radiation is emitted from the radiation generator to the micromesh gaseous detector, wherein the micromesh gaseous detector comprises:
• a chamber filled with gas;
• a first electrode formed on a first inner surface of the chamber;
• a second electrode comprising a micromesh, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode produce a first electric field across a first gap that causes an electron in the radiation output from the radiation generator that enters the first radiation detector to interact with a first atom of the gas in the first gap to produce a first one or more free electrons;
• a third electrode formed on a second inner surface of the chamber opposite the first electrode, wherein the second electrode and the third electrode produce a second electric field across a second gap that causes the first one or more free electrons to flow through the micromesh into the second gap and interact with a second atom of the gas in the second gap to produce a second one or more free electrons;
• and
• a conductive strip formed on the third electrode that outputs electrical current when struck by one or more of the first free electrons, one or more of the second free electrons, or combinations thereof;
• determine, using the one or more processors, measured characteristics of the radiation based at least in part on the first sensor data;
• and
• instruct, using the one or more processors, the downhole tool to adjust the operational parameters used to operate the radiation generator based at least in part on the measure characteristics and the target characteristics of the radiation generated by the radiation generator.