A Directional Gamma-Ray Detector Based on Scintillator Plates

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compact gamma-ray detector using scintillator plates that accurately determines the azimuthal source location with minimal background interference.

Contribution

It presents a novel, robust detector design based on multiple scintillator modules for precise gamma-ray source localization.

Findings

Achieves degree-scale azimuthal localization accuracy.

Minimal sensitivity to environmental background.

Uses a modular design for robustness and simplicity.

Abstract

A simple device for determining the azimuthal location of a source of gamma radiation, using ideas from astrophysical gamma-ray burst detection, is described. A compact and robust detector built from eight identical modules, each comprising a plate of CsI(Tl) scintillator coupled to a photomultiplier tube, can locate a point source of gamma rays with degree-scale precision by comparing the count rates in the different modules. Sensitivity to uniform environmental background is minimal.