Optimization of Mutual-Shielding Directional γ-Detector

This article presents an improved design of a seven-scintillator directional detector array, which operates on the mutual shielding principle. The optimization process enhances the array’s directional accuracy and sensitivity while maintaining the same quantity and volume of scintillators. A unique method is proposed, utilizing the ambiguity metric (AM) to predict the anticipated angular error to the true direction of arrival (DOA). This ambiguity analysis acts as a qualitative assessment, enabling the comparison of the precision and reliability of different array configurations without the need for multiple simulations or the addition of synthetic noise. An additional novel concept introduced is the rotation of the directional detector to acquire two separate measurements from the same source, effectively doubling the data vector to mitigate problematic directions. This article also describes the constructed prototype and its data acquisition (DAQ) system, which includes a time over threshold (TOT) interface for energy-dependent measurements. The measurements from the prototype are compared with the results of the simulations to validate the conclusions derived from the simulations. The methodologies suggested in this article have the potential to substantially improve the accuracy and efficiency of any mutual-shielding directional detector.