Nous avons travaillé sur le développement d’un instrument de mesure de la luminescence induite par un faisceau d’ions lourds (nucléons  12) et d’énergie de l’ordre du MeV/nucléons. Basé sur une méthode de comptage de photons uniques obtenus par coïncidences, le dispositif permet d’obtenir sur 16 voies à la fois un spectre en énergie dans le domaine proche UV-visible-proche IR (185-920 nm) et la réponse temporelle sur la gamme ns-µs, avec un échantillonnage de 100 ps. Des mesures en température peuvent être réalisées depuis la température ambiante jusqu’à 30K.Ce travail met particulièrement l’accent sur les méthodes d’extraction des données : Une fois montrée la nécessité de déconvoluer les signaux, on s’intéresse dans un premier temps à évaluer différents profils instrumentaux modélisés et reconstruit à partir de mesures. A cet effet, un travail de caractérisation temporelle de chaque constituant du dispositif est mené. Puis ces profils instrumentaux sont utilisés dans deux méthodes de déconvolution par moindres carrés d’abord puis par maximum d’entropie ensuite.Deux matériaux types sont testés : Le Titanate de Strontium pour l’étude de la dynamique de l’excitation électronique, et un scintillateur plastique commercial, le BC400, pour l’étude du vieillissement et de la baisse des performances en fonction de la fluence. Dans les deux cas on a pu mettre en évidence la présence d’une composante ultra rapide de constante de temps subnanoseconde. / We developed an instrument for measuring the luminescence induced by a heavy ion beam (nucleons  12) and energy in the range of MeV / nucleon. Based on a single photon counting method obtained by coincidences, the device can provide in the same run a 16-channel energy spectrum in the UV-visible- IR region (185-920 nm) and a time-resolved response in the range of ns up to µs for each channel. Temperature measurements can be performed from room temperature down to 30K.This work places particular emphasis on data extraction methods: Once the need to deconvolve the signals demonstrated the evaluation of different instrument profiles (simulated and reconstructed from measurements) leads to a systematic temporal characterization of each component of the device. Then, these instrumental profiles are used in two deconvolution methods: least squares first followed by maximum entropy method.Two typical materials are tested: the Strontium Titanate for the study of the dynamics of the electronic excitation, and a commercial scintillator, the BC400, for the study of the aging and the decrease of performances with fluence. In both cases, we have been able to highlight the presence of an ultrafast component of subnanosecond time constant.

In this work we studied properties of garnet scintillator layers (RxLu3-xAl5O12, RxY3-xAl5O12) doped by rare earth ions (Ce, Pr, Tb), orthosilicates (Y2SiO5; R = Ce, Tb) and influence of Sc codoping on Pr3+ and Tb3+ emissions. The Zr codoping on Ce3+ emission in orthosilicates was also studied. The samples were prepared by liquid phase epitaxy. The studied materials show high quantum efficiency and good chemical and mechanical stability. They represent ideal materials for 2D imaging devices. We studied optical absorption, excitation and emission spectra and scintillation properties (radiolunescence and photoelectron yield). The aim was to determine the properties of grown layers and their comparison to Czochralski grown single crystals. We looked for the impact of melt and growth conditions on measured layer properties. We also tried to determine optimal amount of dopants in layer. We used PbO - B2O3 and BaO - BaF2 - B2O3 fluxes. Using these fluxes, we succeeded in growing layers with less intrinsic defects in crystal lattice in comparison to single crystals. In grown layers of thickness from 1 to 30 µm higher dopant concentration was achieved than in single crystals.

Doctor Educationis / The progressive development of scintillator detectors has made it possible to perform direct electronic lifetime determination up to a few hundred nanoseconds. The 2” by 2” LaBr3:Ce detectors provide a combination of excellent time resolution and good energy resolution. Recently a fast timing array has been commissioned at iThemba LABS, Cape Town consisting of eight 2” by 2” LaBr3:Ce detectors. Test measurements using radioactive sources produced at the laboratory were conducted. Six 2” by 2” LaBr3:Ce detectors were coupled to the AFRODITE array as their first in-beam experiment. AFRODITE consisted of eight HPGe clover detectors as well as two 3.5” x 8” LaBr3:Ce detectors. A particle telescope was used to select the desired reaction channels. The reactions of interest 45Sc(p,d)44Sc and 45Sc(p,α) 42Ca were carried out at a beam energy of 27 MeV. The current analysis also investigates the rare earth nucleus 150Gd which was populated through 150Sm(α,4n)150Gd at a beam energy of 48 MeV. Through these reactions, excited states that have lifetimes which are apt for the characterization of the 2” by 2” LaBr3:Ce detectors were populated. Various techniques such as the slope method and the centroid shift method have been employed to extract the lifetimes of excited states. Lifetimes that were previously measured for 44Sc and 42Ca were measured again in this work. New lifetimes were obtained 44Sc and 150Gd. Shell Model calculation were done to compare experimental and theoretical results. All these endeavours will seek to unveil the quadrupole moment of nuclei and their intrinsic behaviour.

A real time low energy spectral measurement of the neutrinos coming from the Sun will give us a greater understanding of energy production in the Sun, and the mechanisms of neutrino mixing. We will, for the first time, measure the solar neutrino spectrum for all solar neutrinos <2MeV in particular pp, Be and CNO neutrinos, be able to compare the solar photon derived energy luminosity (Lï §) to the solar neutrino derived energy luminosity (Lï ®) independent of any solar model, explore dark energy with respect to mass varying neutrinos, and explore CNO abundances in the Sun. These measurements require new technology in Indium loaded scintillators and large scale detector designs, namely increased spatial resolution through a novel scintillation lattice. I will present the advances we are making to these fields at Virginia Tech as well as neutrino science and the physics of the LENS detector. / Ph. D.

The neutrino is, by its nature, an elusive particle that requires massive detectors with small backgrounds to capture a handful of events. Nevertheless, neutrino experiments stand at the heart of the current mysteries of particle physics and astrophysics. These include the origin and size of neutrino mass, the existence of additional types of neutrinos, CP violation and the matter--antimatter asymmetry, the amount of metals in the Sun's core, and the existence of non-nuclear energy sources in the Sun. This dissertation concerns the the use of a novel detector technology, the Raghavan Optical Lattice (ROL), in the Low-Energy Neutrino Spectrometer (LENS) and Neutrino Lattice (NuLat) experiments. LENS will measure the solar neutrino luminosity and the Sun's core metallicity using a ROL with indium-loaded liquid scintillator. NuLat will probe the existence of light sterile neutrinos with masses of $ \sim 1\,\mathrm{eV} $ using a ROL made from $ ^{6}\mathrm{Li} $-loaded plastic scintillator. For LENS we present an overview of the experiment and the present the ROL construction results from the LENS R\andD program. In particular we will present results from the micro- and mini-LENS prototypes. For both LENS and NuLat we present the development of an event reconstruction algorithm for ROLs and we apply these to the expected signals for these experiments. For NuLat we present an overview of the experiment including its theory of operation and its sensitivity to sterile neutrino oscillations. Finally, we present work toward the full-sized NuLat detector through bench-top tests and construction of the NuLat demonstrator. / Ph. D.

Over the past 20 years, the detection of neutrino oscillation has reported a lot of important results. The oscillation phenomenon itself has been well proved by various experiments. Some oscillation parameters has been measured and now in the area of precise determination. On the other hand, some new questions like the possibility of the existence of light sterile neutrinos and unexpected 5 MeV bump were raised during the measurement. The Neutrino Lattice Experiment (NuLat) is a detector based on the Raghavan Optical Lattice (ROL). It should be able to offer a compact design of an effective detector with good mobility. It can be extremely useful in the short baseline reactor neutrino oscillation detection community to resolve several confusing issues. In this thesis, we present the calibration results we got from the first active NuLat detector and show what kind of improvements we need for the next version of the NuLat detector based on these results. / Ph. D. / During the last century, physicists have developed a nice framework to describe the physics world we live. The model which we called Standard Model has been constructed to describe the behavior of elementary particles and nicely explain the phenomenon we found from various experiments. However there are still a lot mysteries which cannot be explained by this model and more precise measurements on different fields of particle physics are need to help us improve our understanding about this. Neutrino oscillation is one of the most important field related to this kind of concern. The Neutrino Lattice Experiment (NuLat) is a new type of neutrino detector. It has a good geometry reconstruction ability based on the the Raghavan Optical Lattice (ROL). Since we cannot directly see the elementary particles, we always rely on the signals generated by the reaction between particles and our detector. How to interpret the signals becomes crucial at this point to have high quality experimental data. NuLat is such kind of neutrino detector which offer good ability for us to interpret the signal right. It has a compact design compared to most of other detectors in this field. This is really useful because it can be implemented with limited space where other detectors might have difficulties. Simultaneously the ROL design can help offer nice background rejection ability and high energy resolution. In this thesis, we discuss the progress about develop and assembly of the first active NuLat detector with the preliminary calibration data which give us basic understanding about the performance of this first version.

The observed imbalance of matter and anti-matter in the universe is one of physics' most fundamental unresolved questions. The leading theories to explain this imbalance require CP violation, and the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) is a sensitive parameter in its determination. Many new theories of physics beyond the standard model can be constrained or ruled-out by setting limits on the nEDM. Many next generation nEDM experiments require Ultra Cold Neutrons (UCN), produced in superfluid helium. One such experiment is cryoEDM. This thesis explores various types of UCN detection technologies applicable to cryoEDM or any high-density high-efficiency cryogenic nEDM experiment. Cryogenic Phonon Scintillation detectors (CPSD) are modified for this application by operating at 500 mK, and by using a titanium transition edge sensor for phonon signal readout. A CPSD is stabilised in the transition using a novel infra-red light feedback system which reduced the response time to O</m>(100 &mu;s). The detector is characterised and calibrated using an ²⁴¹Am &alpha; source. It was found to operate reliably at this elevated temperature and measure an alpha spectrum with 11% resolution at 5.5 MeV. Scintillators are identified as a promising technology for UCN detection at low temperature. Suitable materials that are bright with fast decay times and low &gamma; sensitivity are studied in the temperature range 300 - 6 K. Their light yield to alpha excitation, their decay time characteristics and spectroscopic properties under VUV excitation are investigated. This study includes the first comprehensive investigation of the luminescence properties of plastic scintillators and of ⁶LiF/ZnS(Ag) down to 6 K. It is found that there is no degradation of the luminescence or kinetic properties of these materials across the whole temperature range, revealing them as suitable cryogenic detector materials. Using a plastic scintillator, a prototype UCN detector for operation in liquid helium is designed, manufactured and tested. It is read out using WLS optical fibres to a room temperature photomultiplier. The detector is successfully tested with cold neutrons at the ISIS neutron science facility and found to effectively measure neutrons, with a signal that is clear from background. Recommendations are made for its integration into a cryogenic neutron EDM experiment. This low-cost detector offers a promising method for the passive detection of UCN in a challenging cryogenic environment, with minimal electric interference and low background sensitivity. This technology offers the potential for improved UCN detection efficiency and thus improved sensitivity of the measurement of the neutron EDM.

Inom materialforskning och en stor del av den mekaniska och mekatroniska industrin finns ett intresse av att utnyttja blixtröntgen för att studera dynamiska händelseförlopp i inneslutna system, ej synbara med konventionella kameror. I och med att många rörelser inom de benämna områdena även sker i hyperhastighet så tillåter blixtröntgen statisk bildtagning  av rörelser i flera km/s, med minimal rörelseoskärpa. Detta examensarbete har grundats i att utveckla och utvärdera koncept för en komplett systemuppställning inklusive höghastighetskamera för denna tillämpning.  Syftet med arbetet har således varit att både identifiera och definiera produktens ingående produktkrav, för att spegla den funktion och syftet som önskas uppfyllas, och utifrån detta generera koncept för uppställningen på systemnivå, samt för separata  komponenter. Slutligen har de utvalda koncepten utvärderats genom praktiska prestandatester för att kontrollera dess uppfyllelse av produktkraven. Datainsamlingen för arbetet skedde i form av flertalet praktiska experiment för insamling av kvantitativ data, samt återkommande uppföljningsmöten med involverade medarbetare för insamling av kvalitativ data.  Undersökningen resulterade i ett koncept för en slutprodukt, benämnt funktionsprototyp som motsvarade och uppfyllde de definierade produktkraven vad gäller funktionalitet och prestanda. En diskussion fördes även för den kommande vidareutvecklingen av slutprodukten, inklusive färdigställandet av samtliga koncept och den följande designfasen. / In materials research and a large part of the mechanical and mechatronic industry, there is an interest in using flash X-rays to study dynamic events in enclosed systems, not visible with conventional cameras. Since many movements within the named areas also take place at hyper-speed, flash X-rays allow to capture static images of movements in several km / s, with minimal distortion. This thesis has been based on developing and evaluating concepts for a complete system setup including a high speed camera for this application. The purpose of the work has thus been to both identify and define the product's included product requirements, to reflect the function and purpose that is desired to be fulfilled, and based on this generate concepts for the set-up at system level, as well as for separate components. Finally, the selected concepts have been evaluated through practical performance tests to check its compliance with the product requirements. The data collection for the work took place in the form of two practical experiments for the collection of quantitative data, as well as recurring follow-up meetings with involved employees for the collection of qualitative data. The study resulted in a concept for an end product, called an end concept that corresponded to, and met the defined product requirements in terms of functionality and performance. A discussion was also held for the further development of the end product, including the completion of all concepts and the subsequent design phase.

Astrophysical observations give convincing evidence for a vast non-baryonic component, the so-called dark matter, accounting for over 20% of the overall content of our Universe. Direct dark matter search experiments explore the possibility of interactions of these dark matter particles with ordinary baryonic matter via elastic scattering resulting in single nuclear recoils. The ZEPLIN-III detector operated on the basis of a dualphase (liquid/gas) xenon target, recording events in two separate response channels { scintillation and ionisation. These allow discrimination between electron recoils (from background radiation) and the signal expected from Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP) elastic scatters. Following a productive first exposure, the detector was upgraded with a new array of ultra-low background photomultiplier tubes, reducing the electron recoil background by over an order of magnitude. A second major upgrade to the detector was the incorporation of a tonne-scale active veto detector system, surrounding the WIMP target. Calibration and science data taken in coincidence with ZEPLIN-III showed rejection of up to 30% of the dominant electron recoil background and over 60% of neutron induced nuclear recoils. Data taking for the second science run finished in May 2011 with a total accrued raw fiducial exposure of 1,344 kg days. With this extensive data set, from over 300 days of run time, a limit on the spin-independent WIMP-nucleon cross-section of 4.8 10-8 pb near 50 GeV/c2 WIMP mass with 90% confidence was set. This result combined with the first science run of ZEPLIN-III excludes the scalar cross-section above 3.9 10-8 pb. Studying the background data taken by the veto detector allowed a calculation of the neutron yield induced by high energy cosmic-ray muons in lead of (5.8 0.2) 10-3 neutrons/muon/(g/cm2) for a mean muon energy of 260 GeV. Measurements of this kind are of great importance for large scale direct dark matter search experiments and future rare event searches in general. Finally, this work includes a comprehensive measurement of the energy dependent quenching factor for low energy nuclear recoils in a plastic scintillator, such as from the ZEPLIN-III veto detector, increasing accuracy for future simulation packages featuring large scale plastic scintillator detector systems.

The term“Digital X-ray Imaging" refers to a variety of technologies that electronically capture x-ray images. Once captured the images may be electronically processed, stored, displayed and communicated. Digital imaging has the potential to overcome weaknesses inherent in traditional screen-film imaging, with high detection efficiency, high dynamic range and the capability for contrast enhancement. Image processing also makes possible innovative techniques such as computer-aided diagnosis, tomosynthesis, dual-energy imaging, and digital subtraction imaging. Several different approaches to digital imaging are being studied, and in some cases, have been developed and are being marketed. Common to all these approaches are a number of technological and medical issues to be resolved. One of the technological issues is the optimal pixel size for any particular image sensor technology. In general, the spatial resolution of the digital image is limited by the pixel size. Unfortunately while reducing pixel size improves spatial resolution this comes at the expense of signal to noise ratio (SNR). In a scintillator-charge-coupled device (CCD) system, the signal can be increased by improving the efficiency of the scintillator or by reducing noise. This study used a very low noise CCD to determine if image quality, as indicated by the modulation transfer function (MTF), the noise power spectrum (NPS) and the detective quantum efficiency (DQE), could be maintained while reducing pixel size. Two scintillators, one a commonly used radiographic screen the other a thallium doped cesium iodide scintillator, were used and the results compared. The results of this study show that image quality can be maintained as pixel size is reduced and that high DQE can be attained and maintained over a wide range of spatial frequencies with a well designed scintillator.