A dual-sided coded-aperture radiation detection system

Penny, R.; Hood, W.E.; Polichar, R.; Cardone, Fabio; Chavez, L.G.; Grubbs, S.G.; Huntley, B.P.; Kuharski, Robert A.; Shyffer, Ryan; Fabris, L.; Ziock, Klaus-Peter; Labov, S. E.; Nelson, K.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2011.01.161

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…In addition to these advantages, the detector also has a 360° field of view. While the detection performance of a 3x3x12 inch NaI based system for small sources in large background radiation is not as good as the expected performance of the coded-aperture/Compton imaging SORDS systems [1][2] [3], they are significantly less expensive, less complex, and more compact and more readily deployed. One may deploy many of these systems for the cost of a single coded-aperture/Compton imaging system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The problem is made even more difficult for mobiles radiation detection systems, particularly in urban environments, where very large deviations in background count rates are common. Gamma-ray imaging is one technique that has been used to over come the issues associated with large background variations [1][2] [3]. The imaging is used to reduce the signal from the more distributed background radiation to locate more concentrated sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-occluding quad NaI directional gamma radiation detector for standoff radiation detection

Portnoy

Mattson

2011

SPIE Proceedings

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Currently there is a significant amount of interest in standoff radiation detection. One of the biggest challenges is to separate small radiation signals from large varying background radiation. Many systems have been developed to address this problem that rely on coded-aperture and/or Compton imaging. These imaging systems tend to be large, heavy, complex, and therefore expensive. In this paper we report on the development of a self-occluding directional gamma radiation sensor that is relatively small (<40 kg), inexpensive, and simple in design. Laboratory and field measurements suggest that these sensors will work as well as the gamma imaging systems for many radiation detection applications at a fraction of the cost, weight, and complexity. An azimuth can be resolved with a standard deviation of 7° in 10 seconds for a source yielding 45 CPS at the detector in a 300 CPS background radiation field. This paper describes the selfoccluding quad NaI directional gamma radiation detector, the impact of gamma energy and distance on angular precision and accuracy, and potential applications.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-occluding quad NaI directional gamma radiation detector for standoff radiation detection

Portnoy

Mattson

2011

SPIE Proceedings

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“…Considering trailer-based systems, while non-imaging systems have been demonstrated with the use of advanced algorithms to be highly sensitive for RN detection during search [2][3][4], they are not able to discern on which side of a roadway a source is located. On the other hand, a coded-aperture-based system can perform this task while also sensitively and specifically detecting RN threats [1,[5][6][7][8]. In coded-aperture imaging [9], incident radiation is modulated by a mask before being absorbed in a detector plane, and reconstruction using the modulation pattern allows for imaging of a point source.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fast neutron counting in a mobile, trailer-based search platform

Hayward

Sparger

Fabris

et al. 2017

EPJ Nuclear Sci. Technol.

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Abstract. Trailer-based search platforms for detection of radiological and nuclear threats are often based upon coded aperture gamma-ray imaging, because this method can be rendered insensitive to local variations in gamma background while still localizing the source well. Since gamma source emissions are rather easily shielded, in this work we consider the addition of fast neutron counting to a mobile platform for detection of sources containing Pu. A proof-of-concept system capable of combined gamma and neutron coded-aperture imaging was built inside of a trailer and used to detect a 252 Cf source while driving along a roadway. Neutron detector types employed included EJ-309 in a detector plane and EJ-299-33 in a front mask plane. While the 252 Cf gamma emissions were not readily detectable while driving by at 16.9 m standoff, the neutron emissions can be detected while moving. Mobile detection performance for this system and a scaled-up system design are presented, along with implications for threat sensing.

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“…Searching for radioactive sources in urban environments is an important component of modern radiological and nuclear security. Toward this end, various vehicle-borne, large area detector systems have been designed and tested in recent years [1][2][3][4]. However, the problem of detecting illicit radioactive sources is confounded by the non-Poissonian background fluctuations commonly encountered in operational environments, which greatly limit the capabilities of these systems [5][6][7][8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%