Abstract: Transparent polymer and glass-matrix based nanocomposite scintillators were developed for scintillation applications. Quantum dot polymer composites, fluoride nanophosphor epoxy composites and halide nanoparticle containing glass composites were prepared and studied for gamma-ray spectroscopy, X-ray imaging, alpha particle and neutron detection. Scintillation behavior was observed in all the polymer and glass matrix nanocomposite materials, but the most promising systems are the glass-matrix scintillators. These materials show promise for applications in nuclear spectroscopy and radiation detection for nuclear physics, medicine and homeland security. We will discuss the synthesis and characterization of these nanoparticles, their incorporation into composites and results obtained for radiation detection.

Biography: Dr. Wagner received his B.S. in Engineering Science from the Pennsylvania State University and his M.S. Physics and Ph.D. ECE from Georgia Tech.  He has spent his entire professional career at GTRI and has almost 30 years of experience in synthesis, characterization and fabrication of microelectronic and optoelectronic materials and device technology with over 180 publications. He has worked in materials and device technologies and modeling for applications including solar cells, batteries, high power RF amplifiers, photodetectors, displays  IR focal plane arrays, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazard sensing.

For more information on this or upcoming Nano@Tech seminars, contact Dr. David Gottfried at: david.gottfried@ien.gatech.edu