Development of Virtual Gamma-Ray Energy Spectrum Simulator Program for Training

Yoomi Choi,Young-Yong Ji,Sungyeop Joung,Eunjoong Lee 한국방사성폐기물학회 2022 한국방사성폐기물학회 학술논문요약집 Vol.20 No.2

Gamma spectrometry is one of the main analysis methods used to obtain information about unknown radioactive materials. In gamma-ray energy spectrometry, even for the same gamma-ray spectrum, the analysis results may be slightly different depending on the skill of the analyst. Therefore, it is important to increase the proficiency of the analyst in order to derive accurate analysis results. This paper describes the development of the virtual spectrum simulator program for gamma spectrometry training. This simulator program consists of an instructor module and trainee module program based on an integrated server, in which the instructor transmits a virtual spectrum of arbitrarily specified measurement conditions to the students, allowing each student to submit analysis results. It can reproduce a virtual gamma-ray energy spectrum based on virtual reality and augmented reality technique and includes analysis function for the spectrum, allowing users to experience realistic measurement and analysis online. The virtual gamma-ray energy spectrum DB program manages a database including theoretical data obtained by Monte Carlo simulation and actual measured data, which are the basis for creating a virtual spectrum. The currently developed database contains data on HPGe laboratory measurement as well as in-situ measurements (ground surface, decommissioned facility wall, radiowaste drum) of portable HPGe detectors, LaBr3(Ce) detector and NaI detector. The analysis function can be applied not only to the virtual spectrum, but also to the input measured spectrum. The parameters of the peak analysis algorithm are customizable so that even low-resolution spectra can be properly analyzed. The validity of the database and analysis algorithm was verified by comparing with the results derived by the existing analysis programs. In the future, the application of various in-situ gamma spectrometers will be implemented to improve the profiling of the depth distribution of deposited nuclides through dose rate assessment, and the applicability of the completed simulator in actual in-situ gamma spectrometry will be verified.

100-MeV 양성자 빔을 이용하여 169Tm(p,3n)167Yb 반응에 의해 생성된 167Yb 방사성동위원소에서 방출되는 감마선 스펙트럼 비교 연구

이삼열 한국방사선학회 2022 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.16 No.7

The measurement of branching ratio of 167Yb radioactive isotopes from gamma-ray spectrum of 169Tm(p,3n)167Yb reaction were performed by using a 100-MeV proton linear accelerator of the Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC). The 167Yb isotope has a half-life of 17.5 minutes and decays to 169Tm. The gamma rays generated from the 167Yb isotope were measured using an HPGe detector gamma ray spectroscopy system. The energy calibration of the detector and the efficiency measurement of the detector were determined using a standard source. The gamma rays of known main energy (62.9, 106.2, 113.3, 143.5 and 176.3 keV) were measured. On the other hand, information about the intensity of the generated gamma rays is very inaccurate. Therefore, in this study, the decay strength of the main gamma rays was accurately measured. Overall, it was different from the previously known results, and in particular, it was found that the intensity of the main decay gamma ray, such as the 113.3 and 106.2 keV gamma ray, was overestimated, and it was found that the gamma ray, such as 62.9, 116.7 and 143.5 keV was underestimated. The present results are considered to be important information in the fields of nuclear fusion, astrophysics and nuclear physics in the future. 양성자과학연구단의 100-MeV 양성자선형가속기의 양성자를 사용하여 천연 169Tm과 핵반응을 일으켜 167Yb 방사성동위원소를 생성하였다. 생성된 동위원소는 17.5분의 반감기를 가지며 167Tm로 붕괴한다. 이때 발생하는 감마선을 HPGe 검출시스템을 사용하여 측정하였다. 검출기의 에너지 교정 및 검출기의 효율 측정은 표준선원을 사용하여 결정하였다. 기존에 알려진 Table of Isotopes의 주요 감마선 에너지는 모두 측정되었다. 한편, 현재까지 알려진 발생되는 감마선의 강도에 대한 정보는 매우 부정확한 상황이다. 따라서 본 연구를 통하여 주요 감마선에 대한 붕괴 강도를 정확하게 측정하였다. 전체적으로 기존에 알려져 있던 결과들과 상이한 차이를 보였으며 특히 113.3 및 106.2 keV 감마선 같은 주 붕괴 감마선의 강도들이 과대평가 되었다는 사실을 알게 되었고 62.9, 116.7 및 143.56 keV의 감마선 들은 과소평가 된 감마선들임을 알게 되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 핵융합 연구, 천체 물리학 및 핵물리 분야에 있어서 중요한 정보가 될 것으로 생각된다.

Gamma-ray Full Spectrum Analysis for Environmental Radioactivity by HPGe Detector

Meeyoung Jeong,Kyeong Beom Lee,Kyeong Ja Kim,Min-Kie LEE,Ju-Bong HAN 한국우주과학회 2014 Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Vol.31 No.4

Odyssey, one of the NASA’s Mars exploration program and SELENE (Kaguya), a Japanese lunar orbiting spacecraft have a payload of Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) for analyzing radioactive chemical elements of the atmosphere and the surface. In these days, gamma-ray spectroscopy with a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector has been widely used for the activity measurements of natural radionuclides contained in the soil of the Earth. The energy spectra obtained by the HPGe detectors have been generally analyzed by means of the Window Analysis (WA) method. In this method, activity concentrations are determined by using the net counts of energy window around individual peaks. Meanwhile, an alternative method, the so-called Full Spectrum Analysis (FSA) method uses count numbers not only from full-absorption peaks but from the contributions of Compton scattering due to gamma-rays. Consequently, while it takes a substantial time to obtain a statistically significant result in the WA method, the FSA method requires a much shorter time to reach the same level of the statistical significance. This study shows the validation results of FSA method. We have compared the concentration of radioactivity of 40K, 232Th and 238U in the soil measured by the WA method and the FSA method, respectively. The gamma-ray spectrum of reference materials (RGU and RGTh, KCl) and soil samples were measured by the 120% HPGe detector with cosmic muon veto detector. According to the comparison result of activity concentrations between the FSA and the WA, we could conclude that FSA method is validated against the WA method. This study implies that the FSA method can be used in a harsh measurement environment, such as the gamma-ray measurement in the Moon, in which the level of statistical significance is usually required in a much shorter data acquisition time than the WA method.

Gamma Camera에 있어 측면 선란선의 영향에 대한 평가

김재일,이은별,조성욱,노경운,강건욱,Kim, Jae-Il,Lee, Eun-Byeol,Cho, Seong-Wook,Noh, Kyeong-Woon,Kang, Keon-Wook 대한핵의학기술학회 2018 핵의학 기술 Vol.22 No.1

검출기 외부에 강한 선원은 collimator와 상호 작용으로 산란선이 만들어지게 되는데, 그 산란선이 영상에 얼마나 영향을 주는지 평가하고자 한다. SKY LITE를 사용하여, phantom study의 경우, $^{99m}Tc$ 1.11 GBq를 점선원으로 만들어 검출기 주변을 $10^{\circ}$ 간격으로 돌아가면서 측정하여 각 각도에서의 산란선의 정도를 계수율과 스펙트럼으로 분석을 하였다. Patient study의 경우, 3-phase bone scan을 하는 환자를 대상으로, blood flow와 blood pool 영상을 획득하면서 산란선의 양과 스펙트럼을 분석하였다. 추가로 blood pool 검사 시, 환자의 손위에 납가운을 올려놓고 영상을 획득하였고, 환자의 몸에 납가운을 입히고 영상을 획득하여 각 영상에서의 산란선과 스펙트럼을 비교, 평가하였다. 그 결과, phantom study의 경우, 후방에서는 산란선의 없었지만, 측면부터 전방 $50^{\circ}$ 까지는 산란선이 많이 검출 되었다. patient study의 경우 blood flow 영상과 blood pool 영상에서 환자 몸에서 나온 감마선으로 인해 생긴 산란선이 입사됨을 알 수 있었다. 그리고 납가운은 손 위를 차폐하는것 보다, 환자 몸을 차폐 하는 것이 산란선이 많이 줄었다. 그러므로 외부에 강한 선원이 존재하고, hand blood flow, blood pool 검사처럼 계수 자체가 낮을 검사를 할 경우, 몸에서 나오는 선원 자체를 차폐하는 것이 산란선을 줄이는데 보다 효과가 있으며, 영상에서도 배후 방사선을 줄이는데 효과가 있음을 알 수 있었다. Purpose Generally, a collimator that installed in front of detector set a direction of gamma ray and remove a scatter ray. By the way, a lateral or oblique scatter ray is detected into crystal through collimator. At this study, we will evaluate a mount of count and spectrums of lateral scatter ray. Materials and Methods We used the SKY LITE (philips, netherlands) as a gamma camera, and $^{99m}Tc$, 1.11 GBq point source as a phantom. we put this point source at backside 50 cm of detector. After acquiring this for 1 min, we turned a detector next 10 degrees. Likely this, we acquired images at every 10 degrees from $0^{\circ}$ to $360^{\circ}$, analyzed images and spectrums. In case of patient study, we choose a 3 phase bone scan patient who had a hand disease, because scatter rays from body would detect on crystal. After acquiring blood flow and blood pool images, we analyzed images and spectrums. Additional, we put a lead gown on patient's hand, body. And then we compared and evaluated 3 type blood pool images (non lead gown, lead gown on a hand and on body). Results In case of phantom study, scatter ray counts at backside ($270^{\circ}-90^{\circ}$) are same with a background count. By the way, counts of scatter ray of oblique side ($0^{\circ}-50^{\circ}$, $220^{\circ}-270^{\circ}$) are 100-600 cps, furthermore, counts at frontside are over 4 Mcps. In case of patient study, a counts of hand blood pool scan are 1510 cps. But counts of hand with lead gown on hands and on body are each 1554 cps, 1299 cps. Conclusion Therefore, even though there is a collimator in front of detector, lateral scatter rays detect on crystal and affect to images and spectrums. Especially, if there is a high activity source at outside of detector when we examine low activity organs like hands or foot, we have to shield and remove the source at outside for a good image.

Gamma-ray Full Spectrum Analysis for Environmental Radioactivity by HPGe Detector

정미영,이경범,김경자,이민기,한주봉 한국우주과학회 2014 Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Vol.31 No.4

Odyssey, one of the NASA’s Mars exploration program and SELENE (Kaguya), a Japanese lunar orbiting spacecraft havea payload of Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) for analyzing radioactive chemical elements of the atmosphere and thesurface. In these days, gamma-ray spectroscopy with a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector has been widely usedfor the activity measurements of natural radionuclides contained in the soil of the Earth. The energy spectra obtainedby the HPGe detectors have been generally analyzed by means of the Window Analysis (WA) method. In this method,activity concentrations are determined by using the net counts of energy window around individual peaks. Meanwhile, analternative method, the so-called Full Spectrum Analysis (FSA) method uses count numbers not only from full-absorptionpeaks but from the contributions of Compton scattering due to gamma-rays. Consequently, while it takes a substantialtime to obtain a statistically significant result in the WA method, the FSA method requires a much shorter time to reachthe same level of the statistical significance. This study shows the validation results of FSA method. We have comparedthe concentration of radioactivity of 40K, 232Th and 238U in the soil measured by the WA method and the FSA method,respectively. The gamma-ray spectrum of reference materials (RGU and RGTh, KCl) and soil samples were measured bythe 120% HPGe detector with cosmic muon veto detector. According to the comparison result of activity concentrationsbetween the FSA and the WA, we could conclude that FSA method is validated against the WA method. This study impliesthat the FSA method can be used in a harsh measurement environment, such as the gamma-ray measurement in the Moon,in which the level of statistical significance is usually required in a much shorter data acquisition time than the WA method.

Gamma-ray Full Spectrum Analysis for Environmental Radioactivity by HPGe Detector

Jeong, Meeyoung,Lee, Kyeong Beom,Kim, Kyeong Ja,Lee, Min-Kie,Han, Ju-Bong The Korean Space Science Society 2014 Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences Vol.31 No.4

Odyssey, one of the NASA's Mars exploration program and SELENE (Kaguya), a Japanese lunar orbiting spacecraft have a payload of Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) for analyzing radioactive chemical elements of the atmosphere and the surface. In these days, gamma-ray spectroscopy with a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector has been widely used for the activity measurements of natural radionuclides contained in the soil of the Earth. The energy spectra obtained by the HPGe detectors have been generally analyzed by means of the Window Analysis (WA) method. In this method, activity concentrations are determined by using the net counts of energy window around individual peaks. Meanwhile, an alternative method, the so-called Full Spectrum Analysis (FSA) method uses count numbers not only from full-absorption peaks but from the contributions of Compton scattering due to gamma-rays. Consequently, while it takes a substantial time to obtain a statistically significant result in the WA method, the FSA method requires a much shorter time to reach the same level of the statistical significance. This study shows the validation results of FSA method. We have compared the concentration of radioactivity of $^{40}K$, $^{232}Th$ and $^{238}U$ in the soil measured by the WA method and the FSA method, respectively. The gamma-ray spectrum of reference materials (RGU and RGTh, KCl) and soil samples were measured by the 120% HPGe detector with cosmic muon veto detector. According to the comparison result of activity concentrations between the FSA and the WA, we could conclude that FSA method is validated against the WA method. This study implies that the FSA method can be used in a harsh measurement environment, such as the gamma-ray measurement in the Moon, in which the level of statistical significance is usually required in a much shorter data acquisition time than the WA method.

고순도 Ge 검출기의 전기적 노이즈 감소를 통한 감마선 에너지 스펙트럼의 분해능 향상에 관한 연구

이삼열(Samyol Lee) 한국방사선학회 2020 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.14 No.7

감마선 에너지 스펙트럼 연구에서 에너지 분석을 통한 핵종 분석은 매우 중요하다. 감마선 에너지 측정에 일반적으로 사용되는 고순도 Ge 검출기는 높은 에너지 분해능과 상대적으로 높은 검출 효율 때문에 일반적으로 사용된다. 그러나 반도체 검출기는 높은 에너지 분해능을 유지하기 위해 주변 환경에서 발생하는 노이즈를 효과적으로 차단하지 않으면 원래의 성능을 유지하기 어렵고 고가의 장치의 효과를 얻지 못하는 문제점이 있. 따라서 본 연구에서는 검출기에서 발생하는 전기적 노이즈를 제거하기 위해 접지 루프 아이솔레이터 (NEXT-001HDGL)를 사용했다. 에너지 분해능 향상 효과를 테스트하기 위해 양성자 가속기 KOMAC에 새로 설치된 HPGe 검출 장치를 사용했다. 감마선 에너지 2614 keV의 경우 에너지 분해능이 (0.16 ± 0.02) %에서 (0.11 ± 0.01) %로 개선되었고, 감마선 에너지 662 keV의 경우 에너지 분해능이 (0.72 ± 0.07) %에서 0.27 ± 0.03 %로 향상되었다. 이 결과는 KOMAC (Korea Multi-Purpose Accelerator Complex)의 HPGe 검출 장비를 이용한 감마선 스펙트럼 연구에 매우 유용한 것으로 판단된다. In the gamma-ray energy spectrum study, nuclide analysis through energy analysis is very important. High-purity Ge detectors, which are commonly used for gamma-ray energy measurements, are commonly used because of their high energy resolution and relatively high detection efficiency. However, in order to maintain a high energy resolution, the semiconductor detector has a problem in that it is difficult to maintain the original performance if the noise generated from the surrounding environment is not effectively blocked, and the effect of the expensive device is not achieved. Therefore, in this study, ground loop isolator (NEXT-001HDGL) was used to remove the electrical noise generated from the detector. In order to test the effect of improving energy resolution, HPGe detection device newly installed in the proton accelerator KOMAC was used. In the case of gamma-ray energy 2614 keV, the energy resolution was improved from (0.16 ± 0.02) % to (0.11 ± 0.01) %, and in the case of gamma-ray energy 662 keV of 137Cs isotope, the energy resolution was improved from (0.72 ± 0.07) % to (0.27 ± 0.03) %. This result is considered to be very useful for the gamma ray spectrum study using the HPGe detection equipment of KOMAC(Korea Multi-Purpose Accelerator Complex).

KOMAC 양성자 선형가속기를 이용한 천연 텅스텐 핵반응에 대한 감마선 스펙트럼 측정에 대한 연구

이삼열 ( Samyol Lee ) 한국방사선학회 2018 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.12 No.2

양성자가속기연구센터(KOMAC)의 100-MeV 양성자 선형가속기에서 생성된 고에너지 양성자를 사용하여 천연 텅스텐과 핵반응을 일으켰다. 핵반응을 통해 생성된 다양한 핵종으로 부터의 감마선은 HPGe 검출기 감마선 분광시스템을 사용하여 측정하였다. 감마선 표준선원은 에너지 교정 및 검출기의 효율 측정에 사용 되었다. 측정된 스펙트럼에서 관찰된 감마선을 분석한 결과 방사성 핵종은 ¹⁶⁷Re, ¹⁷⁸Re, ¹⁷⁹Re, ¹⁸⁰Re, ¹⁸¹Re, ¹⁸²Re, ¹⁸⁴Re, ¹⁷²Ta, ¹⁷⁴Ta, ¹⁷⁸Ta, ¹⁸²Ta, ¹⁸⁴Ta, ¹⁷⁵W, ¹⁷⁶W, ¹⁷⁷W 및 ¹⁷⁹W 으로 총 16 종류의 핵종이 생성되었다. 이 연구의 결과는 미래의 핵융합, 천체 물리학 및 핵의학 응용 분야에 적용될 것으로 생각된다. The measurement of gamma-ray spectrum of ^natW(p,xn) reaction with natural tungsten were performed by using a high energy proton generated from a 100-MeV proton linear accelerator of the Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC). Gamma rays generated by various nuclides generated through the nuclide were measured using a gamma-ray spectroscopy system composed of HPGe detector. A gamma-ray standard source was used for energy calibration and efficiency measurement of the detector. Analysis of the gamma rays observed in the measured spectra showed that the radionuclides produced were ¹⁶⁷Re, ¹⁷⁸Re, ¹⁷⁹Re, ¹⁸⁰Re, ¹⁸¹Re, ¹⁸²Re, ¹⁸⁴Re, ¹⁷²Ta, ¹⁷⁴Ta, ¹⁷⁸Ta, ¹⁸²Ta, ¹⁸⁴Ta, ¹⁷⁵W, ¹⁷⁶W, ¹⁷⁷W and ¹⁷⁹W. Nuclides were generated. The results of this study will be applied to nuclear fusion, astrophysics, and nuclear medicine applications in the future.

A Study on Measurement of Gamma-ray Spectrum for the Natural Tungsten nuclear reaction by using KOMAC proton Linear Accelerator

Samyol Lee(이삼열) 한국방사선학회 2018 한국방사선학회 논문지 Vol.12 No.2

The measurement of gamma-ray spectrum of nat W(p,xn) reaction with natural tungsten were performed by using a high energy proton generated from a 100-MeV proton linear accelerator of the Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC). Gamma rays generated by various nuclides generated through the nuclide were measured using a gamma-ray spectroscopy system composed of HPGe detector. A gamma-ray standard source was used for energy calibration and efficiency measurement of the detector. Analysis of the gamma rays observed in the measured spectra showed that the radionuclides produced were 167 Re, 178 Re, 179 Re, 180 Re, 181 Re, 182 Re, 184 Re, 172 Ta, 174 Ta, 178 Ta, 182 Ta, 184 Ta, 175 W, 176 W, 177 W and 179 W. Nuclides were generated. The results of this study will be applied to nuclear fusion, astrophysics, and nuclear medicine applications in the future. 양성자가속기연구센터(KOMAC)의 100-MeV 양성자 선형가속기에서 생성된 고에너지 양성자를 사용하여 천연 텅스텐과 핵반응을 일으켰다. 핵반응을 통해 생성된 다양한 핵종으로 부터의 감마선은 HPGe 검출기 감마선 분광시스템을 사용하여 측정하였다. 감마선 표준선원은 에너지 교정 및 검출기의 효율 측정에 사용 되었다. 측정된 스펙트럼에서 관찰된 감마선을 분석한 결과 방사성 핵종은 167 Re, 178 Re, 179 Re, 180 Re, 181 Re, 182 Re, 184 Re, 172 Ta, 174 Ta, 178 Ta, 182 Ta, 184 Ta, 175 W, 176 W, 177 W 및 179 W 으로 총 16 종류의 핵종이 생성되었다. 이 연구의 결과는 미래의 핵융합, 천체 물리학 및 핵의학 응용 분야에 적용될 것으로 생각된다.

A counting-time optimization method for artificial neural network (ANN) based gamma-ray spectroscopy

조문형,황지성,이상호,고길영,김원구,조규성 한국원자력학회 2024 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.56 No.7

With advancements in machine learning technologies, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are being widely used to improve the performance of gamma-ray spectroscopy based on NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors. Typically, the performance of ANNs is evaluated using test datasets composed of actual spectra. However, the generation of such test datasets encompassing a wide range of actual spectra representing various scenarios often proves inefficient and time-consuming. Thus, instead of measuring actual spectra, we generated virtual spectra with diverse spectral features by sampling from categorical distribution functions derived from the base spectra of six radioactive isotopes: 54Mn, 57Co, 60Co, 134Cs, 137Cs, and 241Am. For practical applications, we determined the optimum counting time (OCT) as the point at which the change in the Kullback–Leibler divergence (ΔKLDV) values between the synthetic spectra used for training the ANN and the virtual spectra approaches zero. The accuracies of the actual spectra were significantly improved when measured up to their respective OCTs. The outcomes demonstrated that the proposed method can effectively determine the OCTs for gamma-ray spectroscopy based on ANNs without the need to measure actual spectra.