How Well Do Photonic Sensors Work While Being Irradiated? (VIDEO)
Caption
Photonic sensors such as the one pictured here transmit information with light instead of electric currents. Recently, NIST scientists tested whether radiation hurts these sensors' performance. In this setup, scientists put a photonic sensor under a powerful radiation-producing electron beam. The beam travels down a shaft and hits a shutter which can be closed to stop the beam or opened to allow the beam through. When the beam hits the chip, it glows. From the control room next door, physicists can manipulate the beam and monitor the data telling them how the chip is performing. Scientists hope to use these chips someday as sensors in areas with high levels of radiation, such as in space or near equipment used for medical imaging and cancer radiation therapy.
Credit
Video Credit: Jennifer Lauren Lee/NIST. Music Credit: "The Messenger" by Silent Partner.
Usage Restrictions
Please include the specified credits when using the video.
License
Licensed content