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At least 19 records

Radiation Source Localization Using Surrogate Models Constructed from 3-D Monte Carlo Transport Physics Simulations

Recent research has focused on the development of surrogate models for radiation source localization in a simulated urban domain. We employ the Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code to provide high- delity simulations of radiation transport within an urban domain. The model is constructed to employ a source location (x, y, z) as input and return the estimated count rate for a set of speci ed detector locations. Because MCNP simulations are computationally expensive, we develop e cient and accurate surrogate models of the detector responses. We construct surrogate models using Gaussian processes (GP) and neural networks (NN) that we train and verify using the MCNP simulations. The trained surrogate models provide an e cient framework for Bayesian inference and experimental design. We employ Delayed Rejection Adaptive Metropolis (DRAM), a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithm, to infer the location and intensity of an unknown source. The DRAM results yield a posterior probability distribution for the source's location conditioned on the observed detector count rates. The posterior distribution exhibits regions of high and low probability within the simulated environment identifying potential source locations. In this manner, we can quantify the source location to within at least one of these regions of high probability in the considered cases. Employing these methods, we are able to reduce the space of potential source locations by at least 60%.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Total Residual Radiation Source Term Produced by the Hiroshima Detonation

Residual radiation from a nuclear detonation consists of fission products and activation products produced by the excess neutrons released during the explosion. The ability to accurately predict nuclear fallout begins with a calculation of the residual radiation source term. The intent of this paper is to define the residual radiation source term for the Hiroshima detonation. The calculation was performed using the Livermore Weapon Activation Code (LWAC), which is a simplified three-region model that estimates the residual radiation associated with the fission products, the unburnt fuel, and activation products produced in the weapon components, the surrounding air, and the ground in the vicinity of ground zero. For the Hiroshima detonation, ~1200 radionuclides were produced. A time-dependent solution for the total activity of each of the major residual radiation source terms is provided in the Appendices. In addition, the timedependent exposure rates produced by the activation rings are included in the report.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

457-nm radiation source based on a diode laser for precision spectroscopy of magnesium atoms

We report on the development of a highly stable source of 457-nm radiation based on a diode laser and a tapered amplifier operating in a double-pass scheme. The diode laser frequency was stabilised by a high-Q reference Fabry – Perot interferometer and doubled in a PPSLT nonlinear crystal placed in an enhancement cavity. At a maximum output power of 200 mW at a wavelength of 457 nm, the laser linewidth was less than 5 kHz. The radiation source operation was demonstrated in experiments on precision spectroscopy of cold magnesium atoms in a magneto-optical trap. (lasers)

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

SCALE 6.3.1 Radiation Source Terms and Shielding Analysis for a Postulated Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor Accident Scenario

In support of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission non–light-water reactor fuel cycle demonstration project, SCALE 6.3.1 capabilities for radiation source term and shielding calculations are demonstrated for scenarios in the sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) fuel cycle. A postulated accident scenario, which consists of a seismic event causing the refueling machine to fall and release a spent fuel assembly inside the containment building (CB), is analyzed in this paper. Radiation source terms were generated for a U/TRU-10Zr metal fuel assembly with a 16.5% initial transuranic waste content and a discharge burnup of approximately 95 GWd/tHM; source terms were also generated for a high-assay low-enriched uranium metal fuel assembly (U-10Zr) with a 16.5% initial enrichment and a discharge burnup of 149.74 GWd/tHM. These radiation source terms were then used to determine the dose rate inside the CB and near the outer surface of the CB for a range of spent fuel assembly cooling times. The dose rate produced by the analyzed SFR assemblies is similar to that produced by a typical pressurized water reactor assembly with a discharge burnup of 50 GWd/MTU. Ultimately, the validation of the source terms predicted for SFRs with SCALE will need to be demonstrated via the use of assay measurements.

Radulescu, Georgeta↗

A Simple Non-Planckian Radiation Source for ICF and HED Simulations (Rev.1)

The purpose of this paper is to present a simple way to build frequency dependent spectral (FDS) sources for use in inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics simulations. This process takes an arbitrary temperature history and converts it into a radiation source with both Planckian and non-Planckian components, the latter of which is to describe high energy photon energies emitted by gold hohlraums. This method is then used to generate spectral energy sources for use in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high energy density (HED) simulations which are compared to integrated laser simulations along with experimental measurements.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Detecting Low-level Radiation Sources Using Border Monitoring Gamma Sensors

We consider a problem of detecting a low-level radiation source using a network of Gamma spectral sensors placed on the periphery of a monitored region. We propose a computationally light-weight, correlation-based method which is primarily intended for systems with limited computing capacity. Sensor measurements are combined at the fusion by first generating decisions at each time step and then taking their majority vote within a time widow. At each time step, decisions are generated using two strategies: (i) SUM method based on a threshold decision on a correlation statistic derived from measurements from all sensors, and (ii) OR method based on logical-OR of threshold decisions based on correlations statistics of individual sensor measurements. We derive analytical performance bounds for false alarm rates of SUM and OR methods, and show that their performance is enhanced by the temporal smoothing of majority vote within a time window. Using measurements from a test campaign, we generate a border monitoring scenario with twelve 2"x2" NaI Gamma sensors deployed on the periphery of 42m x 42m outdoor region. A Cs-137 source is moved in a straight-line across this region, starting several meters outside and finally moving away from it. We illustrate the performance of both correlation-based detection methods, and compare their performances with each other and with a particle filter method. Overall, under small false-alarm conditions, the OR fusion is found to produce better detection performance.

Sen, Satyabrata↗

Simulations and Experimental Verifications of an Algorithm for Radiation Source Mapping and Navigational Path Generation

Accurate and efficient mapping and localization of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation sources are important across many different fields. As such, a versatile mapping and navigational path generation algorithm, which can be applied to any point source measurements that follow an inverse-square characteristic, was developed using non-linear least squares methods. Forty thousand simulations were performed on the algorithm, which located sources successfully in a 10 m × 10 m × 10 m three-dimensional space with a success rate of over 80% across different noise functions, given a proportional constant of 10 to 1,000. The algorithm was also verified experimentally with small-scale radioactive decontamination of a 70 cm × 70 cm surface and localization of a lost Wi-Fi router in a 70 m × 70 m open field. One hundred twenty-one measurements were taken from each experiment, which were then fed into the algorithm for navigation. For the radioactive 137Cs source, the estimated locations were within 7 cm × 7 cm of the answer in 79.3% of the scenarios, while the Wi-Fi router was located to within 7 m × 7 m in 57.9% of the tests. In general, the method requires much less information and data than a geographically comprehensive survey and thus shows a lot of potential for practical applications, such as lost source retrieval with unmanned aerial vehicles, small-scale decontamination, mapping undocumented Wi-Fi routers or radio towers, and radiation simulation with radio signals. Here, the different failure modes, desirable features, and potential improvements were also identified but remain as future work.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Physical optics simulations for synchrotron radiation sources

Here we describe approaches to high-accuracy physical optics calculations used for the development of x-ray beamlines at synchrotron radiation sources, as well as simulation of experiments and processing of experimental data at some of these beamlines. We pay special attention to the treatment of the partial coherence of x rays, a topic of high practical importance for modern low-emittance high-brightness synchrotron radiation facilities. The approaches are based, to a large extent, on the works of Emil Wolf and co-authors, including the basic scalar diffraction theory and the coherent mode decomposition method. The presented simulation examples are related to the case of the novel Coherent Diffractive Imaging beamline that is currently under development at the National Synchrotron Light Source II at the Brookhaven National Laboratory.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A hierarchical Bayesian model for background variation in radiation source localization

In this paper, we apply a new model to account for varying background radiation in radiological source localization. We present a hierarchical Bayesian model that simultaneously infers background and source location parameters without requiring separate estimation of the background radiation at each detector location. We employ a simplified photon transport model to reduce the computational expense of Bayesian model calibration. Furthermore, we demonstrate the model accuracy by localizing a cesium-137 source in a simulated city block, and we analyze experimental field measurements with varying background. In both cases, the model provides sufficient fidelity that we can locate the source while simultaneously estimating background radiation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

IRAD-MPE Radiation Source Recovery (Day 4) [Slides]

The objective of this module is to review emergency response radiation detection equipment, operational and safety procedures, and best practices for planning that are required to conduct a successful radiological source recovery operation.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Simulations of coherent scattering experiments at storage ring synchrotron radiation sources in the hard x-ray range

Detailed simulations of experiments carried out at modern light sources are directly related to the most efficient and productive use of these facilities for research in multiple branches of science and technology. The “Synchrotron Radiation Workshop” computer code with its Python interface, and Sirepo web-browser-based graphical user interface, currently supports physical optics simulations of coherent X-ray scattering and imaging experiments on user-defined virtual samples. We present examples of simulations of coherent scattering experiments that are typically performed at the Coherent Hard X-ray beamline at Brookhaven National Laboratory’s (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source II. We also present several comparisons of the simulations with the results of actual coherent X-ray scattering experiments with nano-fabricated test samples produced at BNL’s Center for Functional Nanomaterials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Requirements for an in-house synchrotron radiation source at LANL

Synchrotron measurements for diffraction characterization and high resolution tomography require: (1) unable monochromatic X-ray incident energy from 65keV to 100keV. 65keV need is defined by Ta and W absorption edges at 67keV, 100keV need is defined by need to penetrate U/Pu sample thickness of 0.5 mm (2) focused flux density of the monochromatic beam on a beam spot of ~100 µm 2 greater than 10 10 photons per second to allow some slower kinetics experiments such as heating, cooling for CTE measurements (but not quenching, solidification etc. which require <0.1 s resolution) (3) Δλ/λ resolution of 0.3% or better across the energy spectrum. This can be achieved by monochromator as long as flux needs are met in the monochromatic beam.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗