Nuclear radiation measuring method and apparatus having blanking time inversely related to count rate
AssigneeBeckman Instruments, Inc.
InventorSamuel H. Luitwieler, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for inhibiting measurement of nuclear radiation in a scintillation counter during periods of excessive background radioactivity produced, for example, by cosmic energy surges impinging on the scintillation counter. The count rate of a radioactive source or sample being measured is monitored and detector means are provided for detecting the occurrence of an energy surge exceeding a predetermined energy level. When a surge is detected, inhibit means inhibits counting for a time period which varies inversely with the count rate.
Claims6
A method of inhibiting a measurement of radiation following an overloading radiation surge in a nuclear radiation measuring system which includes apparatus for detecting nuclear radiation and converting same into pulses and for counting the pulses to provide a measure of the nuclear radiation, the method comprising the steps of:
- ascertaining the rate at which the pulses are generated;
- detecting the occurrence of a radiation surge exceeding a predetermined energy level;
- and
- inhibiting the counting of pulses upon the occurrence of the radiation surge for a time period which varies inversely with the ascertained pulse rate.
In a system for measuring nuclear radiation which includes detector means responsive to the nuclear radiation for converting the same into pulses and counting means coupled to the detector means for counting the pulses to provide a measure of the nuclear radiation, apparatus for inhibiting measurement of pulses upon the occurrence of an overloading radiation surge comprising:
- means for generating a pulse rate signal indicative of the rate at which pulses are produced by the detector means;
- surge detector means for detecting the occurrence of a radiation surge exceeding a predetermined energy level and for generating an overload signal in responses thereto;
- and
- means for inhibiting counting of pulses for a time period which varies inversely with the pulse rate, said latter means being responsive to the pulse rate signal and to the overload signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.