Lightweight SiPM-based CeBr₃ gamma-ray spectrometer for radiation-monitoring systems of small unmanned aerial vehicles

The radiation-monitoring systems of miniaturized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have wide-ranging applications. However, the load capacity and flight time of radiation-monitoring systems of UAVs are limited. Thus, a lightweight and low-power radiation monitoring load is significant to develop. Herein, a lightweight CeBr₃ gamma-ray spectrometer based on Silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) was developed for small-UAV radiation-monitoring systems. Experiments were conducted to test the performance of the spectrometer. Excellent linearity and high energy resolution were achieved. Compared with the traditional CeBr₃ scintillator gamma-ray spectrometer, the volume, mass, and power consumption of the spectrometer decreased by 73%, 55%, and 38%, respectively. Carrying the spectrometer developed in this paper can increase the compactness and flight time of small-UAV radiation-monitoring systems.