Space neutron spectrometer design with SSPM-based instrumentation

The compact, robust nature of the CMOS solid-state photomultiplier (SSPM) allows the creation of small, low-power scintillation-based radiation measurement devices. Monitoring space radiation including solar protons and secondary neutrons generated from high-energy protons impinging on spacecraft is required to determine the dose to astronauts. Small size and highly integrated design are desired to minimize consumption of payload resources.RMD is developing prototype radiation measurement and personal dosimeter devices using emerging scintillation materials coupled to CMOS SSPM’s for multiple applications. Spectroscopic measurements of high-energy protons and gamma-rays using tissue-equivalent, inorganic scintillators coupled to SSPM devices demonstrate the ability of an SSPM device to monitor the dose from proton and heavy ion particles, providing real time feedback to astronauts. Measurement of the dose from secondary neutrons introduces additional challenges due to the need to discriminate neutrons from other particle types and to accurately determine their energy deposition. We present strategies for measuring neutron signatures and assessing neutron dose including simulations of relevant environments and detector materials.