Small Active Readout Device for Dose Spectra from Energetic Particles and Neutrons (DoSEN)

The sole focused objective of the DoSEN project is to demonstrate viability and benefits of coincidence LET and SiPM neutron detection. We will:
•Provide proof-of-concept for low-power SiPM neutron detection from an organic scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination. 
•Provide proof-of-concept for coincident LET detection of recoil protons from the scintillator.
•Provide proof-of-concept for background suppression in LET & SiPM coincidence energy measurements of a broad range of radiation including neutrons, electrons, protons and heavy ions.
•Provide proof-of-concept for fast coincidence determination and active readout of dose, dose-equivalents, organ doses and neutron doses based on biologically determined quality factors.
The schedule for DoSEN development provides a progression of TRL advances that accrue through the project. The corresponding milestones are as follows:
•First Milestone Completed: Completed initial trade study, and procurements (scintillator, SiPMs, SSDs and TEP for lab benchtop measurement). 
•Second Milestone Completed: Completed first tests using radioactive sources. Focus was made on demonstrating neutron detection enabled by SiPMs and first LET coincidence measurements including recoil protons, primary protons, and primary heavy ions. Two papers were submitted outlining the DoSEN concept and feasibility including the performance of the SiPMs. 
•Third Milestone Completed: Completed design and implementation including a housing for the prototype, which enables travel for DoSEN characterization at ion/neutron beam facilities within the US. 
•Fourth Milestone Completed: We have completed measurements to demonstrate neutron detection and LET coincidence, and to quantify background suppression using coincidence and initial results of fast coincidence logic. The second set of beam measurements were taken at Massachusetts General Hospital on Oct 22, 2015 with a 230 MeV proton beam. Results generally demonstrated LET coincidence and fast coincidence logic of the SiPM and silicon detectors.