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Description
The present project is part of an educational initiative involving students from the Professional License CRIATP at CEA/INSTN Cadarache, aiming to develop an experimental practical session (TP) using the MiniPIX detector. The CRIATP (Radiation Protection and Nuclear Measurement Professional License) is a specialized program designed to train students in the fields of radiation protection, nuclear measurement, and radiological safety. It provides a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing graduates for careers in the nuclear industry, medical radiological protection, and other sectors where radiation expertise is required.
This pedagogical approach empowers students to design and carry out experiments that both enhance their understanding of radiation measurements and contribute to outreach in the field of radiation protection .
The present project is part of an educational initiative involving students from the Professional License CRIATP at INSTN Cadarache, aiming to develop an experimental practical session (TP) for other students or outreach using the MiniPIX detector. This is a student-led project designed for other students or the general public, emphasizing peer learning and collaboration.
The MiniPIX detector, based on the Timepix technology developed at CERN, is a compact, versatile radiation detector capable of tracking energetic charged particles with high resolution. It features a matrix of 256 x 256 pixels, each with a 55 µm pitch, which allows precise spectral and temporal measurement of radiation. The detector is particularly suited for mixed-radiation fields, enabling particle identification based on the morphology of tracks left by different particles, such as gamma, beta, and alpha radiation. The MiniPIX also includes on-board data processing for real-time analysis, making it suitable for environments such as educational labs, space missions, and continuous radiation monitoring. It has also found applications in space missions, where it has been used to monitor radiation levels and identify particles in near-Earth orbits. Its portability and on-board data processing capabilities make it particularly suited for educational purposes, allowing students to engage in hands-on experimentation with cutting-edge technology.
The work program assigned to the students includes several phases: first, the installation and implementation of the MiniPIX detector, which involves setting up and configuring the detector for experimental use; second, the study of natural radioactivity, where students investigate natural sources of radioactivity and analyze MiniPIX's ability to differentiate cosmic rays from terrestrial radiation by identifying distinct tracks shapes; third, the characterization of radiation traces produced by different radioactive sources—gamma, beta, and alpha—to evaluate the potential of MiniPIX to replace a cloud chamber for visualizing radiation tracks; and finally, attempting to measure radiation dose rates using the MiniPIX detector, assessing its effectiveness for this application.
The project is set to commence in April 2025, and the results of the students' investigations will be published in the conference article. This initiative not only aims to validate the capabilities of the MiniPIX detector for educational outreach but also provides an invaluable learning experience for the participating students, enabling them to develop practical skills and fundamental physics in radiation detection.
The outcomes are expected to demonstrate the MiniPIX's effectiveness in educational settings and its potential for broader applications in the field of radiological science.
