Multi-anode deep well radiation detector

A radiation detector for providing an output charge pulse in response to transient charged particles generated by individual gamma radiations from a radioactive source by means of a radiation-to-electron conversion medium and high voltage collection, comprising:

• envelope means for containing the conversion medium for defining a radiation-to-electron conversion region;
• cathode means within the envelope means defining a charge collection region within the conversion region;
• an elongated well formed in the envelope means and extending into the interior of the charge collection region for defining and encompassing an assay region external to the envelope means, the well having at least one open end adapted to receive the radioactive source;
• a thin uniform radiation window forming a major portion of the walls of the well to permit uniform passage of radiations from the encompassed assay region into the conversion region;
• a set of spaced anode wires within the envelope means extending within the charge collection region along the elongated well, and positioned around the well;
• an insulative end support positioned within the conversion region at each end of the set of anode wires for collectively supporting the anode wires;
• anode bus means positioned within the conversion region and connecting each of the anode wires;
• a single bus port in the envelope means for passing the anode bus means through the envelope means;
• and
• conductive means in electrical contact with the cathode means and the anode bus means and adapted to receive a high collection voltage for establishing a charge collection electric field from the anode wires to the cathode means for collecting the transient charged particles to provide the output charge pulse.

A system for simultaneously detecting gamma radiation from a plurality of radioactive sources by means of a radiation-to-electron conversion gas and high voltage collection, comprising:

• envelope means;
• a plurality of open ended assay regions formed by the surface of the envelope means on the outside thereof, for receiving the plurality of radioactive sources;
• a plurality of sets of spaced anode wires within the envelope means, one set of spaced anode wires positioned about each assay region;
• cathode means within the envelope means spaced from the anode wires for defining a collection region between each set of anode wires and the cathode means;
• a conversion gas contained in the envelope means within each collection region for converting the detected gamma radiations into free electrons;
• an anode voltage bus for connecting the sets of anode wires in parallel;
• a plurality of high impedance means, one connected in series between the anode voltage bus and each set of anode wires;
• a plurality of anode output leads, one extending from each set of anode wires for conducting the collected free electrons;
• a plurality of low impedance means, one connected between each anode output lead and the set of anode wires;
• and
• collection voltage supply means connected to the anode bus, and providing a single anode voltage for establishing a collection electric field from each set of anode wires to the cathode means for causing the free electrons produced within each collection region to be collected by the anode wires causing a gamma detection signal.

A system for simultaneously detecting gamma radiation from a series of radiation sources by means of a radiation-to-electron conversion gas, comprising:

• a plurality of assay regions open at each end and arranged in a serial array for sequentially receiving the series of radiation sources;
• a single rigid outer cathode means forming an outer envelope extending around all of the assay regions along the serial array;
• a single thin inner cathode means within the outer cathode means extending around each of the assay regions along the serial array;
• a plurality of sets of anode wires within the outer cathode means, the wires within each set are spaced apart and positioned about one of the plurality of assay regions and about the inner cathode means, each set of anode wires also spaced from the outer cathode means for defining an outer collection region therebetween and also spaced from the inner cathode means for defining an inner collection region therebetween;
• internal support means extending from the outer cathode means for supporting the inner cathode means and the plurality of sets of anode wires;
• a conversion gas contained in the outer cathode means within each collection region for converting the detected gamma radiations into free electrons;
• conductive means connected to each set of anode wires and to the cathode means;
• and
• collection voltage supply means connected to the conductive means for establishing an outer collection electric field from each set of anode wires to the outer cathode means and an inner collection electric field from each set of anode wires to the inner cathode means for causing the free electrons produced within each collection region to accelerate towards the anode wires thereabout and generate multiple avalanche electrons which are collected by the anode wires causing a gamma detection signal.