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18 pages, 8259 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

A Portable Tool for Spectral Analysis of Plant Leaves That Incorporates a Multichannel Detector to Enable Faster Data Capture

by Juan Botero-Valencia, Erick Reyes-Vera, Elizabeth Ospina-Rojas and Flavio Prieto-Ortiz

Instruments 2024, 8(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments8010024 - 17 Mar 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1856

Abstract

In this study, a novel system was designed to enhance the efficiency of data acquisition in a portable and compact instrument dedicated to the spectral analysis of various surfaces, including plant leaves, and materials requiring characterization within the 410 to 915 nm range. [...] Read more.

In this study, a novel system was designed to enhance the efficiency of data acquisition in a portable and compact instrument dedicated to the spectral analysis of various surfaces, including plant leaves, and materials requiring characterization within the 410 to 915 nm range. The proposed system incorporates two nine-band detectors positioned on the top and bottom of the target surface, each equipped with a digitally controllable LED. The detectors are capable of measuring both reflection and transmission properties, depending on the LED configuration. Specifically, when the upper LED is activated, the lower detector operates without its LED, enabling the precise measurement of light transmitted through the sample. The process is reversed in subsequent iterations, facilitating an accurate assessment of reflection and transmission for each side of the target surface. For reliability, the error estimation utilizes a color checker, followed by a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) implementation integrated into the microcontroller unit (MCU) using TinyML technology for real-time refined data acquisition. The system is constructed with 3D-printed components and cost-effective electronics. It also supports USB or Bluetooth communication for data transmission. This innovative detector marks a significant advancement in spectral analysis, particularly for plant research, offering the potential for disease detection and nutritional deficiency assessment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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15 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quenching Circuit Discriminator Architecture Impact on a Sub-10 ps FWHM Single-Photon Timing Resolution SPAD

by Frédéric Nolet, Valérie Gauthier, Samuel Parent, Frédéric Vachon, Nicolas Roy, Nicolas St-Jean, Serge A. Charlebois and Jean-François Pratte

Instruments 2023, 7(2), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments7020016 - 9 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2373

Abstract

In the field of radiation instrumentation, there is a desire to reach a sub-10 ps FWHM timing resolution for applications such as time-of-flight positron emission tomography, time-of-flight positron computed tomography and time-resolved calorimetry. One of the key parts of the detection chain for [...] Read more.

In the field of radiation instrumentation, there is a desire to reach a sub-10 ps FWHM timing resolution for applications such as time-of-flight positron emission tomography, time-of-flight positron computed tomography and time-resolved calorimetry. One of the key parts of the detection chain for these applications is a single-photon detector and, in recent years, the first single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) with a sub-10 ps timing resolution was presented. To reach such a timing resolution, the SPAD was read out by an operational amplifier operated in open-loop as a comparator. This paper presents a comparison between comparators and inverters to determine which type of leading-edge discriminator can obtain the best single-photon timing resolution. Six different quenching circuits (QCs) implemented in TSMC 65 nm are tested with SPADs of the same architecture and in the same operation conditions. This allows us to compare experimental results between the different QCs. This paper also presents a method to measure the SPAD signal slope, the SPAD excess voltage variation and simulations to determine the added jitter of different leading-edge discriminators. For some discriminator architectures, a cascode transistor was required to increase the maximum excess voltage of the QC. This paper also presents the impact on the single-photon timing resolution of adding a cascode transistor for a comparator or an inverter-based discriminator. This paper reports a 6.3 ps FWHM SPTR for a SPAD read out by a low-threshold comparator and a 6.8 ps FWHM SPTR for an optimized 1 V inverter using a cascode transistor for a higher excess voltage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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9 pages, 3295 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Upgrade of Thomson Scattering Diagnostic on HL-2A

by Wenping Guo, Yuan Huang, Chunhua Liu, Zhen Feng, Zhipei Hou, Wenyan Zhai, Hisamichi Funaba, Ichihiro Yamada, Yonggao Li and Zhongbin Shi

Instruments 2023, 7(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments7010012 - 6 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2183

Abstract

The Thomson scattering diagnostic of the HL-2A tokamak device was upgraded to improve its multi-point diagnostic capability, including new collection optics, fibers bundles, and data analysis code. The small old collection lens was replaced by a six-piece lens with a Cooke optical design. [...] Read more.

The Thomson scattering diagnostic of the HL-2A tokamak device was upgraded to improve its multi-point diagnostic capability, including new collection optics, fibers bundles, and data analysis code. The small old collection lens was replaced by a six-piece lens with a Cooke optical design. The aperture of its first standard sphere face is 310.125 mm, which successfully increases the amount of collected scattering light by about three times. The new collection optic module allows for up to twenty-six spatial points. A kind of Y-type fiber bundle has also been used to ensure that the fiber end-face matches the image of the laser beam exactly. Additionally, the new data analysis code can provide preview results in seconds. Finally, the multi-point

T_{e}

diagnostic ability has been significantly improved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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15 pages, 10468 KiB

Open AccessArticle

⁶LiF Converters for Neutron Detection: Production Procedures and Detector Tests

by Antonio Massara, Simone Amaducci, Luigi Cosentino, Fabio Longhitano, Carmelo Marchetta, Gaetano Elio Poma, Martina Ursino and Paolo Finocchiaro

Instruments 2023, 7(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments7010001 - 23 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2414

Abstract

Several methods to detect thermal neutrons make use of the naturally occurring ⁶Li isotope, as it has a rather high cross-section for neutron capture followed by a decay into an alpha particle and a triton. Due to the high chemical reactivity of [...] Read more.

Several methods to detect thermal neutrons make use of the naturally occurring ⁶Li isotope, as it has a rather high cross-section for neutron capture followed by a decay into an alpha particle and a triton. Due to the high chemical reactivity of lithium, the use of the stable isotopic salt ⁶LiF is generally preferred to the pure ⁶Li. The typical method for depositing thin layers of ⁶LiF on suitable substrates, therefore creating so-called neutron converters, is evaporation under vacuum. The evaporation technique, as well as a newly developed chemical deposition process, are described along with their benefits and drawbacks, and the results of neutron detection tests performed with the two types of converters coupled to silicon diodes show convenient performances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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14 pages, 1308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metrological Characterization of a CO₂ Laser-Based System for Inscribing Long-Period Gratings in Optical Fibers

by Sebastian Valencia-Garzón, Erick Reyes-Vera, Jorge Galvis-Arroyave, Jose P. Montoya and Nelson Gomez-Cardona

Instruments 2022, 6(4), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments6040079 - 27 Nov 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2072

Abstract

A CO

_{2}

laser-based system was studied and implemented to produce asymmetric long period fiber gratings (LPFG) with a large attenuation peak, high reproducibility, and high stability. The first half of this study provides a mathematical uncertainty model of the CO

_{2}

laser-based [...] Read more.

A CO

_{2}

laser-based system was studied and implemented to produce asymmetric long period fiber gratings (LPFG) with a large attenuation peak, high reproducibility, and high stability. The first half of this study provides a mathematical uncertainty model of the CO

_{2}

laser-based approach that takes into account various mechanical and thermal effects that impact this production technique. This is the first time that metrological analysis and modeling are performed on the CO

_{2}

laser-based engraving technique. Following that, the engraved system’s quality was assessed using a microscopic approach to confirm mechanical characteristics such as grating period, engraved spot width, and penetration depth, demonstrating that, if the thermal and mechanical components of the overall system are correctly managed, it is feasible to have very low inaccuracy. Lastly, the LPFG performance as temperature and strain sensors was tested, and the findings show that they had good linearity in both circumstances. Thus, the temperature sensor had a maximal sensitivity of 58 pm/°C when measuring temperature changed from 20 to 97 °C, but the strain sensor had sensitivity of 43 pm/

μ ε

when measuring strain variations from 5.59 to 25

μ ε

. As a result, the model and results presented in this paper can be utilized to create a platform for the metrological management of lengths involved in the process of manufacturing LPFGs, devices that are widely employed in the creation of sensors and communications devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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7 pages, 2389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of the Composition of Toluene-Based Liquid Scintillator

by Dmitriy Beznosko, Elijah Holloway and Alexander Iakovlev

Instruments 2022, 6(4), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments6040056 - 2 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1600

Abstract

Scintillators in general and organic liquid scintillator specifically are widely used as a medium for the detection of charged particles for numerous applications in science, medicine, engineering, and other areas. The composition of the scintillator affects not only its direct performance characteristics, but [...] Read more.

Scintillators in general and organic liquid scintillator specifically are widely used as a medium for the detection of charged particles for numerous applications in science, medicine, engineering, and other areas. The composition of the scintillator affects not only its direct performance characteristics, but also the overall cost. Optimization of this composition provides the ability to design particle detectors with an optimized light yield and emission spectra of the detection medium while optimizing the expenses at the same time. This article describes work on toluene-based liquid scintillator component optimization, where PPO is used as a fluor and POPOP as a shifter. The light yield vs. concentration and the changes in the output spectra will be presented. The empirical fit of the output spectrum using the measured contributions of the components is discussed. Further plans include the light attenuation measurements for different compositions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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14 pages, 6914 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Upgrade of the HIVIPP Deposition Apparatus for Nuclear Physics Thin Targets Manufacturing

by Sara Cisternino, Hanna Skliarova, Piergiorgio Antonini, Juan Esposito, Liliana Mou, Lorenzo Pranovi, Gaia Pupillo and Gabriele Sciacca

Instruments 2022, 6(3), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments6030023 - 1 Aug 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1867

Abstract

The High Energy Vibrational Powder Plating (HIVIPP) technique allows for the preparation of targets starting from refractory metal powders with negligible material losses during the process, thus preserving the expensive isotope-enriched materials. An upgraded HIVIPP apparatus was developed at the Legnaro National Laboratory [...] Read more.

The High Energy Vibrational Powder Plating (HIVIPP) technique allows for the preparation of targets starting from refractory metal powders with negligible material losses during the process, thus preserving the expensive isotope-enriched materials. An upgraded HIVIPP apparatus was developed at the Legnaro National Laboratory of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN-LNL), and it is reported in this work. Particular attention was paid to the design of the sample holder, the automation of the power supply, and the control of the process, all with the aim of obtaining a versatile and reliable apparatus. Several tests have been carried out and the related results are reported proving the flexibility of the apparatus and the process reproducibility. The main result is a ‘ready to use’ technology at INFN-LNL for the preparation of isotopically enriched refractory metal targets that cannot be manufactured using standard techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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13 pages, 2049 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Active Plasma Beam Dump for EuPRAXIA Beams

by Alexandre Bonatto, Roger Pizzato Nunes, Bruno Silveira Nunes, Sanjeev Kumar, Linbo Liang and Guoxing Xia

Instruments 2021, 5(3), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments5030024 - 5 Jul 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3348

Abstract

Plasma wakefields driven by high power lasers or relativistic particle beams can be orders of magnitude larger than the fields produced in conventional accelerating structures. Since the plasma wakefield is composed not only of accelerating but also of decelerating phases, this paper proposes [...] Read more.

Plasma wakefields driven by high power lasers or relativistic particle beams can be orders of magnitude larger than the fields produced in conventional accelerating structures. Since the plasma wakefield is composed not only of accelerating but also of decelerating phases, this paper proposes to utilize the strong decelerating field induced by a laser pulse in the plasma to absorb the beam energy, in a scheme known as the active plasma beam dump. The design of this active plasma beam dump has considered the beam output by the EuPRAXIA facility. Analytical estimates were obtained, and compared with particle-in-cell simulations. The obtained results indicate that this active plasma beam dump can contribute for more compact, safer, and greener accelerators in the near future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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12 pages, 6617 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Single-Photon Detection Module Based on Large-Area Silicon Photomultipliers for Time-Domain Diffuse Optics

by Fabio Acerbi, Anurag Behera, Alberto Dalla Mora, Laura Di Sieno and Alberto Gola

Instruments 2021, 5(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments5020018 - 19 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3998

Abstract

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) are pixelated single-photon detectors combining high sensitivity, good time resolution and high dynamic range. They are emerging in many fields, such as time-domain diffuse optics (TD-DO). This is a promising technique in neurology, oncology, and quality assessment of food, wood, [...] Read more.

Silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) are pixelated single-photon detectors combining high sensitivity, good time resolution and high dynamic range. They are emerging in many fields, such as time-domain diffuse optics (TD-DO). This is a promising technique in neurology, oncology, and quality assessment of food, wood, and pharmaceuticals. SiPMs can have very large areas and can significantly increase the sensitivity of TD-DO in tissue investigation. However, such improvement is currently limited by the high detector noise and the worsening of SiPM single-photon time resolution due to the large parasitic capacitances. To overcome such limitation, in this paper, we present two single-photon detection modules, based on 6 × 6 mm² and 10 × 10 mm² SiPMs, housed in vacuum-sealed TO packages, cooled to −15 °C and −36 °C, respectively. They integrate front-end amplifiers and temperature controllers, being very useful instruments for TD-DO and other biological and physical applications. The signal extraction from the SiPM was improved. The noise is reduced by more than two orders of magnitude compared to the room temperature level. The full suitability of the proposed detectors for TD-DO measurements is outside the scope of this work, but preliminary tests were performed analyzing the shape and the stability of the Instrument Response Function. The proposed modules are thus fundamental building blocks to push the TD-DO towards deeper investigations inside the body. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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Review

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16 pages, 13775 KiB

Open AccessReview

Modern Trends in Neutron Scattering Instrument Technologies

by Georg Ehlers, Morris L. Crow, Yacouba Diawara, Franz X. Gallmeier, Xiaosong Geng, Garrett E. Granroth, Raymond D. Gregory, Fahima F. Islam, Robert O. Knudson IV, Fankang Li, Matthew S. Loyd and Bogdan Vacaliuc

Instruments 2022, 6(3), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/instruments6030022 - 29 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3413

Abstract

This article reviews some current trends that can be observed in the development of neutron scattering instrument technologies. While the number of neutron scattering facilities worldwide and the number of beam days they offer are largely stable, their scientific impact is increasing through [...] Read more.

This article reviews some current trends that can be observed in the development of neutron scattering instrument technologies. While the number of neutron scattering facilities worldwide and the number of beam days they offer are largely stable, their scientific impact is increasing through improving instrumental capabilities, new and more versatile instruments, and more efficient data collection protocols. Neutron beams are becoming smaller but more intense, and instruments are being designed to utilize more ‘useful’ neutrons in unit time. This article picks and discusses a few recent developments in the areas of integrated source and instrument design, use of computational tools, new detectors, and experiment automation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Instruments 2021–2022)

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