Gamma ray spectroscopy has traditionally been expensive for undergraduate physics laboratories due to needs of a multichannel analyzer, gamma-ray detector, and associated electronic modules. We have designed a low-cost, gamma-ray spectroscopy apparatus for physics labs using a silicon photomultiplier as a photodetector, a Cerium Lutetium-Yttrium OxyorthoSilicate crystal for scintillation, and a digital oscilloscope driven by LabVIEW. The setup could be used either alongside traditional gamma-ray detectors or as a standalone for educating students with techniques used in nuclear and particle physics.
References
1.
A. C.
Melissinos
and J.
Napolitano
, Experiments in Modern Physics
, 2nd ed. (Academic Press
, Waltham, Massachusetts
, 2003
).2.
G.
Knoll
, Radiation Detection and Measurements
, 4th ed. (Wiley
, Heboken, New Jersey
, 2010
).3.
For a variety of experiments in nuclear physics, among them Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy see “Using NaI(Tl),” at <http://www.ortec-online.com/solutions/educational.aspx>.
4.
R. H.
Chow
and J. S.
Herald
, “Compton-scattering experiment using low-activity gamma-ray sources
,” Am. J. Phys.
33
, 1042
–1047
(1965
).5.
M. J.
Wozniak
, Jr., “Turn your apple microcomputer into an economical pulse height analyzer for gamma-ray spectroscopy
,” Am. J. Phys.
49
, 700
–701
(1981
).6.
D.
Prutchi
and S. R.
Prutchi
, Exploring Quantum Physics Through Hands on Projects (J. Wiley and Sons, Heboken, New Jersey, 2012
), Gamma Ray Spectroscopy using sound card, <http://www.theremino.com/blog/gamma-spectrometry>, for a system that uses a sound card, <http://www.gammaspectacular.com/gamma-spectroscopy>.7.
See the SensL library <http://www.sensl.com/documentation> for an overview of Silicon photomultipliers. For a detailed simulation of electrical properties, see
S.
Seifert
, H. T.
van Dam
, J.
Huizenga
, R.
Vinke
, P.
Dendooven
, and H.
Lohner
, “Simulation of silicon photomultiplier signals
,” IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.
56
(6
), 3726
–3734
(2009
).8.
For the SiPM used in our experiment, see <http://www.st.com/web/en/about_st/careers/catania.html>.
9.
J.
Chen
et al., “Large size LSO and LYSO crystals for future high energy physics experiments
,” IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.
54
(3
), 718
–724
(2007
).10.
R.
Slates
, S.
Cherry
, A.
Boutefnouchet
, Y.
Shao
, M.
Dahlborn
, and K.
Farahani
, “Design of a small animal MR compatible PET scanner
,” IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.
46
(3
), 565
–570
(1999
).11.
C. M.
Pepin
et al., “Properties of LYSO and recent LSO scintillators for Phoswich PET detectors
,” IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.
51
(3
), 789
–796
(2004
).12.
For information where to get the gamma ray sources see <http://www.spectrumtechniques.com>.
13.
More information about LabVIEW signal express can be found at <http://www.ni.com/labview/signalexpress>.
14.
Open source software used in particle physics is available at <http://www.root.cern.ch>.
15.
D. R.
Curry
and P. B.
Siegel
, “Data analysis in the undergraduate nuclear laboratory
,” Am. J. Phys.
63
, 71
–76
(1995
).16.
Advanced silicon detectors can be found online at <http://www.advansid.com>.
© 2015 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2015
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.
