Advanced Electronics and Signal Processing for High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Detectors
Abstract- High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors are renowned for their exceptional energy resolution and high efficiency in detecting gamma rays, making them indispensable in applications where precise energy spectrum measurements are critical. These detectors can also detect neutrons indirectly through secondary gamma emissions.
HPGe detectors are currently employed across a diverse range of fields, including homeland security systems, environmental monitoring, nuclear safeguards, and advanced nuclear physics experiments. One notable application is in cargo inspection for radioactive materials. For instance, the Port Authority of New York has estimated that if a single terminal were closed for just one hour to investigate a false positive radiation signature, it could cost up to half million dollars. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has tested HPGe detectors in portal monitoring configurations, demonstrating excellent standoff detection capabilities and radionuclide identification accuracy.
Commercially available portable, electromechanically cooled HPGe detectors have been utilized by various federal and state agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Department of Homeland Security/Customs and Border Protection (DHS/CBP), and Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) teams.
In this presentation, we will explore the design of electronic systems necessary for conditioning and processing signals from HPGe detectors. A key focus will be on how these electronics are optimized to maintain signal integrity, ensuring that the superior resolution of HPGe detectors is fully utilized. We will discuss challenges related to signal amplification, noise reduction, and signal processing, as well as highlight the latest technological advancements that enhance accuracy and reliability in gamma-ray detection.
Date and Time
Location
Hosts
Registration
- Date: 05 Nov 2024
- Time: 02:00 AM UTC to 04:00 AM UTC
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- UC Berkeley, Wozniak Lounge (Soda Hall, Room#430)
- 1860 Le Roy Ave
- Berkeley, California
- United States
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Parking: Metered street parking is available on Hearst Ave, Parking Lot: Upper Hearst Structure on 2701 Hearst Ave (5-min walk)
Public Transportation: Downtown Berkeley BART Station (15-min walk)
- Starts 15 October 2024 07:01 PM UTC
- Ends 05 November 2024 01:00 AM UTC
- No Admission Charge
Speakers
Marcos Turqueti of Lawrance Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)
Signal Processing for HPGe Detectors
Biography:
Dr. Marcos Turqueti is a Research Engineer and the Electronics Systems Group Leader at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). He earned his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, specializing in Digital Signal Processing. With over 100 publications to his name, Dr. Turqueti is a leading expert in the fields of electronics and signal processing, particularly for radiation detection systems designed to operate in extreme environments such as high-radiation, cryogenic temperatures, and high magnetic fields.
At LBNL, his research is primarily supported by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Dr. Turqueti previously worked at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab), where he played a key role in developing electronics and signal processing algorithms for the CDF and D0 experiments. He also led the U.S. integration efforts for the CMS forward pixel detector.
In the private sector, Dr. Turqueti served as Vice President of Technology at Creative Electron Inc., where he was the principal investigator and technical manager for radiation detection projects funded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and DOE.
In addition to his research and development work, Dr. Turqueti is actively involved in the broader scientific community. He has served on numerous advisory panels and conference committees, and he is a frequent reviewer for DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposals and leading journals, including IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science and IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.
Agenda
Event Agenda
1. Intro & Announcements- SPS & ComSoc East Bay Chapters 6.00-6.15 PM
2. Presentation - Signal Processing for HPGe Detectors 6.15-7.00 PM
3. Networking with Cocktail Food & Refreshments 7.00-8.00 PM