TY - JOUR
T1 - A fast and portable imager for neutron and gamma emitting radionuclides
AU - Al Hamrashdi, Hajir
AU - Cheneler, David
AU - Monk, Stephen D.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by Security Lancaster (Grant no. SEF1015 ), Innovus UK (Grant no. INVS-GC-050 ), EPSRC (Grant no. EP/S020411/1 ) and partially sponsored by Sultan Qaboos University , Oman.
Funding Information:
This work was supported by Security Lancaster (Grant no. SEF1015), Innovus UK (Grant no. INVS-GC-050), EPSRC (Grant no. EP/S020411/1) and partially sponsored by Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. We confirm that we have given due consideration to the protection of intellectual property associated with this work and that there are no impediments to publication, including the timing of publication, with respect to intellectual property. In so doing we confirm that we have followed the regulations of our institutions concerning intellectual property.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2020/2/11
Y1 - 2020/2/11
N2 - Here a novel, real-time, highly-compact imaging system capable of detecting and localising gamma rays, thermal and fast neutrons is reported. The imaging system presented in this research comprises of a front-end containing three detection layers with a unique combination of scintillators optimised for multi-particle detection, and backed with silicon photomultiplier diode arrays to enable source localisation and to maximise efficiency. The system exploits Compton and neutron scattering techniques simultaneously to constitute a dual-mode radiation camera. Application-specific software algorithms are implemented here to process the numerous signals from the system and to reconstruct the location of radioactive sources using a back-projection technique. The three front-end detection layers fit within a volume of 120 mm × 120 mm × 200 mm, offering a uniquely compact imaging solution. A prototype of the instrument and the associated electronics have been designed using Monte Carlo simulations, and tested with Cs-137 (given its singular gamma-ray component) and Cf-252 (for its mixed neutron and gamma-ray emission). Experimental results indicate that the system can detect and localise both gamma-ray and neutron sources successfully, with intrinsic efficiencies in the order of 10−4. All results have been achieved within a scan time of 60 s and with a further data processing time of less than 60 s, for gamma sources of ∼300 kBq and neutron sources of 106neutrons per second (total) in close proximity (<300 mm). Whilst high-speed, mixed-field, particle-imaging systems have numerous applications within both nuclear and non-nuclear fields; this particular system has been optimised for use within the areas of nuclear materials assay and proliferation prevention.
AB - Here a novel, real-time, highly-compact imaging system capable of detecting and localising gamma rays, thermal and fast neutrons is reported. The imaging system presented in this research comprises of a front-end containing three detection layers with a unique combination of scintillators optimised for multi-particle detection, and backed with silicon photomultiplier diode arrays to enable source localisation and to maximise efficiency. The system exploits Compton and neutron scattering techniques simultaneously to constitute a dual-mode radiation camera. Application-specific software algorithms are implemented here to process the numerous signals from the system and to reconstruct the location of radioactive sources using a back-projection technique. The three front-end detection layers fit within a volume of 120 mm × 120 mm × 200 mm, offering a uniquely compact imaging solution. A prototype of the instrument and the associated electronics have been designed using Monte Carlo simulations, and tested with Cs-137 (given its singular gamma-ray component) and Cf-252 (for its mixed neutron and gamma-ray emission). Experimental results indicate that the system can detect and localise both gamma-ray and neutron sources successfully, with intrinsic efficiencies in the order of 10−4. All results have been achieved within a scan time of 60 s and with a further data processing time of less than 60 s, for gamma sources of ∼300 kBq and neutron sources of 106neutrons per second (total) in close proximity (<300 mm). Whilst high-speed, mixed-field, particle-imaging systems have numerous applications within both nuclear and non-nuclear fields; this particular system has been optimised for use within the areas of nuclear materials assay and proliferation prevention.
KW - Compton scattering
KW - Detection
KW - Gamma rays
KW - Neutron scattering
KW - Neutrons
KW - Proliferation prevention
KW - Real-time imaging
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85076236454&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85076236454&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nima.2019.163253
DO - 10.1016/j.nima.2019.163253
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85076236454
SN - 0168-9002
VL - 953
JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
M1 - 163253
ER -