LOW-COST, DISPOSABLE MEMS RADIATION DETECTORS USING GAMMA-SENSITIVE POLYMERS
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Authors
McHale, Benjamin P.
Subjects
capacitor
micro-electrical mechanical systems
MEMS
radiation
detector
polymer
polyvinylidene difluoride
PVDF
micro-electrical mechanical systems
MEMS
radiation
detector
polymer
polyvinylidene difluoride
PVDF
Advisors
Grbovic, Dragoslav
Luhrs, Claudia C.
Date of Issue
2020-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) radiation detectors can be used in a variety of fields, such as medicine, homeland security, and the nuclear power industry, and for a variety of applications, such as environmental studies and mining and geologic characterization. The objective of this thesis was to quantify the effect of gamma radiation on the gamma-sensitive polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) dielectric. These gamma-sensitive detectors produce real-time results and, due to their small size and low cost, can be implemented on a larger scale than traditional radiation-detection methods. It was hypothesized that the gamma radiation would increase the dielectric constant and thus the capacitance of the dielectric. Copper plates, acrylic plates, and aluminum foil were used in this research. The study concluded that the gamma radiation did increase the dielectric constant of the PVDF dielectric. However, environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and light exposure appeared to have a concurrent effect on the dielectric constant.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
DTRA
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. distribution is unlimited
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.