Patent ID: 8476595
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: G01T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for detecting gamma rays, the apparatus comprising: a chamber containing a scintillation liquid; a purifier connected to the chamber to remove contaminants from the scintillation liquid; multiple optical modules positioned within the chamber, wherein the modules are immersed in the scintillation liquid, wherein the multiple optical modules are optically isolated from each other; multiple photodetectors optically coupled to the modules to provide detection of scintillation light resulting from gamma ray interactions in the modules; metal conductors positioned around the chamber to create an electrical field within the chamber; charge readout devices coupled to the modules to provide time projection chamber-class detection of ionization charges produced by gamma ray interactions within the modules; a signal processor connected to the multiple photodetectors and charge readout devices, wherein the signal processor analyzes signals produced by gamma ray interactions within the modules and calculates from the analyzed signals a gamma ray energy value and a gamma ray angle value by Compton scattering formula inversion and using anti-correlation of prompt scintillation light signals from gamma ray interactions and charge signals from gamma ray interactions.