ABI FARSONI - Oregon State University

Abi T. Farsoni
Associate Professor
Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics
Oregon State University
E114 Radiation Center
Corvallis, OR 97330-5902
Office Phone: (541) 737-9645
abi.farsoni@oregonstate.edu
Research Group Website: http://research.engr.oregonstate.edu/rddg/content/home
EDUCATION
• Ph.D. in Radiation Health Physics, Oregon State University, 2006
• M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 1999
• B.Sc. in Applied Physics (Solid State), University of Tehran, 1992
GRANTS AND CONTRACTS
1. A. T. Farsoni (PI), “Radioxenon Detection via Beta-Gamma Coincidence Technique” National
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), $1,000,307, led by University of Michigan (Total:
$25,000,000, Consortium for Verification Technology), (September 2014 – August 2019)
2. A. T. Farsoni (Co-PI); Steven Reese (PI), “Advancing Special Nuclear Materials Detection
Through Novel Temporal Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy Instrumentation and Analytical Methods”,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), $1,763,411, (October 2014 – September 2019)
3. A. T. Farsoni (PI), “Actively-Shielded Radioxenon Phoswich Detection System,” National
Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA, award number: DEAC5209NA29324), $1,115,604,
(July 2009 – December 2013)
4. A. T. Farsoni (program director), “The NRC Scholarship Program,” US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC), $129.600 ( September 2009 – August 2011)
DIDACTIC COURSES
2008-present
2009-present
2010-present
NE/RHP 536: Advanced Radiation Detection and Measurement, Oregon State
University, Winter Term.
NE/RHP 537: Digital Radiation Measurement and Spectroscopy, Oregon State
University, Spring Term.
NE/RHP 435/535: Radiation Shielding and External Dosimetry, Oregon State
University, Spring Term.
2008 NE/RHP 536: Advanced Radiation Detection and Measurement, Oregon State
University, Summer Term (distance students).
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2009 NE/RHP 236: Nuclear Radiation Detection and Instrumentation, Oregon State
University, Spring Term.
2005 NE/RHP 115: Introduction to Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health Physics,
Oregon State University, Winter Term.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
• 09/14 – present, Associate Professor; Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health
Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis.
• 09/08 – 09/14, Assistant Professor; Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Health
Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis.
• 12/06 – 09/08, Associate Professor, Senior Research; Department of Nuclear Engineering and
Radiation Health Physics, Oregon State University, Corvallis.
• 10/92 – 04/00, Radiation Physicist; MNSR Research Department, ENTC, (AEOI)
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AT OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
• 01/09 – present, Oregon State TRIGA Reactor (OSTR) Operation Committee, Member
• 01/09 – 06/10, Graduate Committee Chair, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation
Health Physics
REVIEWER FOR SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
• Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research – Section A
• IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
• Health Physics
• Radiation Measurements
• Annals of Nuclear Energy
PROPOSAL REVIEWER
• National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) , Nuclear Education Grant Program
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
• National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR Review Panel
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US PATENTS (3)
1. A. T. Farsoni and E. M. Becker, “A System And Method For Locating Radiation Sources”,
US Provisional Patent, filed on April 30, 2014.
2. D. M. Hamby, A. T. Farsoni, E. Cazalas, “ Skin Contamination Dosimeter”, US Patent #
7,964,848, issued on June 21, 2011.
3. A. T. Farsoni and D. M. Hamby, “Simultaneous Beta and Gamma Spectroscopy”, US Patent
# 7,683,334, issued on March 23, 2010.
STUDENTS SUPERVISED (CHAIR)
Current Students
• Abdulsalam Alhawsawi (PhD Candidate)
• Leila Ranjbar (PhD Candidate)
• Eric Becker (PhD Candidate)
Graduated Students
1. Eric Becker, “SSPM-based optical fiber radiation dosimeter”, Master’s Thesis, August 2013
2. Bemnet Alemayehu, “Real-time Radioxenon Measurement using a Compton-suppressed
Well-type Phoswich Detector for Nuclear Explosion Monitoring”, PhD Dissertation, August
2013
3. Daniel Konnof, “SSPM-based optical fiber radiation dosimeter”, Master’s Thesis, December
2012
4. Abdulsalam Alhawsawi, “Study of Compton Suppression Capability in a Triple-Layer
Phoswich Detector”, Master’s Thesis, July 2011
ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISED
• Dr. Wuyun Xiao, August 2013 - August 2014
• Dr. Estanislao Aguayo, August 2009-July 2010
SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
1. Xiao, W.; Farsoni, A. T.; Yang, H.; Hamby, D. M. “Model-based Pulse Deconvolution Method
for NaI(Tl) Detectors,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research - Section A. 769:
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5–8; 2015
2. Xiao, W.; Farsoni, A. T.; Yang, H.; Hamby, D. M. “A New Pulse Model for NaI(Tl) Detection
Systems,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research - Section A. 763: 170-173;
2014
3. Becker, E. M.; Farsoni, A. T. “Wireless, Low-Cost, FPGA-based Miniature Gamma Ray
Spectrometer,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research - Section A. 761: 99–104;
2014
4. Alemayehu, B.; Farsoni, A. T.; Ranjbar, L.; Becker, E. M. “A Well-Type Phoswich Detector for
Nuclear Explosion Monitoring,” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 301,
Issue 2, 323-332; 2014
5. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Alhawsawi A. Becker, E. M. “Real-Time Pulse-Shape
Discrimination and Beta-Gamma Coincidence Detection in Field-Programmable Gate Array,”
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research - Section A. 712: 75-82; 2013.
6. Becker, E.M, Farsoni, A.T.; Alhawsawi, A.M.; Alemayehu, B. “Small Prototype Gamma
Spectrometer Using CsI(Tl) Scintillators Coupled to a Solid-State Photomultiplier,” IEEE Trans.
Nucl. Sci., Vol. 60, No. 2: 968 – 972, 2013.
7. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Alhawsawi A. Becker, E. M. “A Phoswich Detector with Compton
Suppression Capability for Radioxenon Measurements,” IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci., Vol. 60, No. 1:
456 – 464, 2013.
8. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Alhawsawi, A.; Becker, E.M. “A Compton-Suppressed Phoswich
Detector for Gamma Spectroscopy,” Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 296,
No. 1; 63-68; 2013.
9. Caffrey, J.A.; Higley, K.A.; Farsoni, A.T.; Smith, S.; Menn, S. “Development and Deployment of
an Underway Radioactive Cesium Monitor off the Japanese Coast near Fukushima Dai’ichi,”
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Vol. 111: 120-125, 2012.
10. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. A system for simultaneous beta and gamma spectroscopy. Nuclear
Instruments and Methods in Physics Research – Section A. 578: 528-536, 2007.
11. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. MCNP analysis of a multilayer phoswich detector for beta particle
dosimetry and spectroscopy. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research - Section A.
555(1-2): 225-230; 2005.
12. Farsoni A.T., Mireshghi S.A. Design and evaluation of a TNA explosive-detection system to
screen carry-on luggage. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 248, No. 3; 695-
697; 2001.
13. Farsoni A.T., Ahmadiniar A., Shirini R. Determination of hair element content in Iranian
population using INAA. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 243, No. 3; 731-
735; 2000.
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CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
1. Farsoni, A.T.; Becker, E. M. “An Affordable Gamma-ray Spectrometer for General Population,”
The IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Seattle, WA. Nov. 8- Nov. 16, 2014.
2. Farsoni, A.T. “Radioxenon Detection via Beta-Gamma Coincidence Technique,” CVT Kick-off
Workshop, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, Oct. 16-17, 2014
3. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Ranjbar, L.; Becker, E. M. “Real-time Radioxenon Measurements
with a Well-type Phoswich Detector,” The IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Seoul, South
Korea. Oct. 26- Nov. 2, 2013.
4. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Alhawsawi A. Becker, E. M. “FPGA Based Pulse Shape
Discrimination and Coincidence Energy Measurement for a Phoswich Detector,” The IEEE
Nuclear Science Symposium, Anaheim, CA. Oct. 29- Nov. 4, 2012.
5. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Alhawsawi A.; Becker, E.M.; “Real-Time Pulse Shape
Discrimination and Radioxenon Measurement in Field Programmable Gate Array,” The 34th
Monitoring Research Review. Albuquerque, NM, September 17-20, 2012.
6. Alemayehu, B.; Farsoni, A.T.; Alhawsawi, A.M.; Becker, E.M. “Real-time FPGA Based
Radioxenon Measurements using an Actively Shielded Phoswich Detector (ASPD),” IEEE
Symposium on Radiation Measurements and Applications, Oakland, CA, May 14-17, 2012.
7. Alhawsawi, A.M.; Farsoni, A. T.; Alemayehu, B.; Becker, E.M. “FPGA Digital Pulse Processing
for an Actively Shielded Phoswich Detector (ASPD),” IEEE Symposium on Radiation
Measurements and Applications, Oakland, CA, May 14-17, 2012.
8. Becker, E.M, Farsoni, A.T.; Alhawsawi, A.M.; Alemayehu, B. “Small Prototype Gamma
Spectrometer Using CsI(Tl) Scintillators Coupled to a Solid-State Photomultiplier,” IEEE
Symposium on Radiation Measurements and Applications, Oakland, California, May 14-17, 2012.
9. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Alhawsawi A. “A Compton-Suppressed Phoswich Detector for
Radioxenon Measurements,” The IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Valencia, Spain. Oct. 22-29,
2011.
10. Farsoni, A.T.; Alemayehu, B.; Alhawsawi A. “Preliminary Measurements with a Compton-
Suppressed Phoswich Detector,” The 33th Monitoring Research Review. Tucson, AZ, September
12-15, 2011
11. Mangini, C.D.; Caffrey, J.A.; Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “A Signal Pulse Processor for Multi-
Component Signals,” The 44th Annual Midyear Meeting of the Health Physics Society.
Charleston, SC. February 6-9, 2011.
12. Caffrey, J.A.; Mangini, C.D.; Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “A Phoswich Detector for
Simultaneous Beta and Gamma Spectroscopy,” The 44th Annual Midyear Meeting of the Health
Physics Society. Charleston, SC. February 6-9, 2011.
13. Cazalas, E.; Hamby, D.M.; Farsoni, A.T. “Experimental Dose Results of a Prototypic Skin
Dosimeter,” Proceedings of the Fifty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society. Salt
Lake City, UT, July 2010.
14. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Characterizing Two-Channel Phoswich Detector Using
Radioxenon Isotopes Produced in TRIGA Reactor,” The 32th Monitoring Research Review.
Orlando, FL, September 21-23, 2010.
15. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Design and Modeling of a Compton-Suppressed Phoswich Detector
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for Radioxenon Monitoring,” The 32th Monitoring Research Review. Orlando, FL, September 21-
23, 2010.
16. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Characterization of Triple-Layer Phoswich Detector for
Radioxenon Measurements,” The 31th Monitoring Research Review. Tucson, AZ, September 21-
23, 2009.
17. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. Beta/Gamma Coincidence Measurements of Radioxenon Using a
Triple-Layer Phoswich Detector. The IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Orlando, FL, Oct. 24-
31, 2009.
18. Lee, C. S.; Farsoni, A.T., Hamby, D.M.”A Two-Channel FPGA-Based System for Beta-Gamma
Coincidence Detection Using Multi-Layer Phoswich Detectors,” The IEEE Nuclear Science
Symposium, Dresden, Germany. Oct. 19-25, 2008.
19. (Invited) Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Digital Processing of Detector Pulses in FPGA Devices,”
The 11th International Conference on Radiation Shielding (ICRS 11). Callaway Gardens in Pine
Mountain, Georgia, April 13-18, 2008.
20. (Invited) Hamby, D.M.; Farsoni, A.T. “Phoswich Detectors and Digital Pulse-Shape Analysis,”
The 11 th International Conference on Radiation Shielding (ICRS 11). Callaway Gardens in Pine
Mountain, Georgia, April 13-18, 2008.
21. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M.; Lee, C.S.; Elliott, A.J. “Preliminary Experiments With A Triple-
Layer Phoswich Detector For Radioxenon Detection,” The 30th Monitoring Research Review.
Portsmouth, VA, September 23-25, 2008.
22. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M.; Ropon, K.D.; Jones, S.E. “Improving Radioxenon Measurements
using a Two-Channel Phoswich Detection System,” 2007 Informal Xenon Monitoring Workshop.
Las Vegas, NV. November 5-9, 2007.
23. Farsoni, A. T.; Hamby, H. D. “An FPGA-Based Data Acquisition System for a Multi-layer
Phoswich Detector,” The IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, Honolulu, Hawaii. Oct. 28 – Nov. 3,
2007.
24. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M.; Ropon, K.D.; Jones, S.E., “A Two-Channel Phoswich detector for
Dual and Triple Coincidence Measurements of Radioxenon Isotopes,” The 29th Monitoring
Research Review. Denver, CO, September 25-27, 2007.
25. Farsoni, A. T.; Hamby, H. D. “Proof of Concept for a Digital Phoswich Spectrometer,” The 52 nd
Annual Meeting of the Health Physics Society, Portland, OR, July 8-12, 2007.
26. Hamby, D.M.; Farsoni, A.T. “A system for simultaneous beta and gamma spectroscopy and its
application to nuclear non-proliferation,” International Safeguards Workshop for Advanced
Sensors for Safeguards. International Atomic Energy Agency. Santa Fe, NM. April 23-27, 2007.
27. Jones, S.; Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Fundamentals of the XEPHWICH Project and Light
Capture Efficiency Research,” American Nuclear Society Student Conference. Corvallis, OR.
March 29-31, 2007.
28. Ropon, K.D.; Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Optimization of a Phoswich Detector for
Radioxenons,” American Nuclear Society Student Conference. Corvallis, OR. March 29-31, 2007.
29. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Simultaneous Beta and Gamma-ray Digital Spectroscopy using a
Triple-layer Phoswich Detector,” The IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium, San Diego, CA. Oct. 29
– Nov. 4, 2006.
30. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M. “Study of a Triple Layer Phoswich Detector for Beta and Gamma
Spectroscopy with Minimal Crosstalk,” NNSA Seismic Research Review. Orlando, FL.
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September 19-21, 2006.
31. Farsoni, A.T.; Hamby, D.M.; Bush-Goddard, S. “A Performance Study on a Triple-layer
Phoswich Detector for Beta Spectroscopy,” Proceedings of the Forty-ninth Annual Meeting of the
Health Physics Society. Washington, DC. Health Physics. 86(6): S144; 2004.
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