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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Micro cavity fission chamber radiation detection system

A radiation detector to monitor the neutron flux of a nuclear reactor or other high-radiation environment, that can withstand the high temperatures and radiation fields of such environment, is provided. A small dielectric substrate with a low neutron-activation cross section is provided. The substrate is coated with a neutron conversion material, such as uranium oxide or thorium oxide. One or more substrates form a micro-sized detection cavity that is filled with a detection gas. A voltage is provided across anode and cathode wires in the detection cavity. A neutron absorbed in the conversion material may release reaction products into the gas, causing ionization of the gas which then produces a current or voltage signal. The small detector volume minimizes energy deposition into the detection gas by competing particles such as gamma rays, fast electrons, and beta particles, and therefore minimizes false counts while retaining large signals from neutron interactions.

McGregor, Douglas S.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Lifecycle Management of Nuclear Security Radiation Detection Systems: Testing and Evaluation

The lifecycle of radiation detection systems functioning within a State’s Nuclear Security Detection Architecture encompasses all activities associated with acquisition, deployment, and eventual disposal. Throughout a system’s lifecycle, testing and evaluation activities are needed to ensure requirements are continually met, as underscored by recent experiences.This paper provides:1.A discussion of reasons why testing should be part of the radiation detection equipment lifecycle before, during, and after acquisition.2.A general process for determining applicable evaluation methods.3.A discussion of issues related to integrating testing and evaluation into procurement and operational processes and mitigation strategies.

Harris, Tyrone↗
DOE OSTI2022

Semi-empirical simulation of in-motion radiation detection systems

The Replicative Assessment of Spectroscopic Equipment (RASE) is an open-source software that uses experimental data as the basis to simulate the response of commercial radiation detectors to sources in various situations, particularly in the context of nuclear security and safeguards applications. Dynamic RASE introduces the capability to simulate scenarios where sources and detector are in relative motion. Position-dependent experimentally acquired gamma spectra are ingested by Dynamic RASE to build maps that describe the detector response over all space. These response maps are used to replicate the time-dependent energy spectra collected as sources move on a path near the detector. Here, a Gaussian process is used to build each map, incorporating a novel kernel adapted to the special case of radiation detection. The approach has been validated against experimental data acquired using a NaI-based detector for 137 Cs and 54 Mn sources. The capability to create accurate simulations using either long-dwell static measurements or dynamic pass-by measurements as source data has been demonstrated. Quantitative relative performance, benefits, and shortcomings are discussed.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

Radiation Detection System Integration Using Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Radios

This study describes the application development of multiple-input multiple-output radios to provide persistent mobile ad hoc network (MANET) for the Department of Homeland Security. By using Man Portable Unit (MPU5) fifth generation radios (manufactured by Persistent Systems) with the Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), an Android smartphone geospatial infrastructure and military situational awareness application, the Remote Sensing Laboratory has developed a MANET connectivity to monitor deployed nuclear/radiological search operation assets.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2023

Developing a Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy Detection System

Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy is a new technique for ultra-precise spectroscopy of low-energy electrons. This project aimed at developing capabilities that would be useful to a future CRES experiment. The recent results from the Project 8 and He6-CRES collaborations indicate that CRES has a promising future, but will need advancements to continue developing. In this report we cover the four tasks that comprised the project: data acquisition, data management, updating the raw-data format, a cloud computing.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Nuclear Interdiction Through Relocatable Detectors

The NNSA Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) has investigated a set of minimal-infrastructure radiation detection systems as alternatives to fixed Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) for nuclear interdiction applications. These versatile and relocatable systems can improve nuclear security in missions or locations that do not warrant or support a standard fixed radiation detection system. Over 2019, a variety of relocatable detectors were characterized at the Interdiction Technologies Integration Laboratory at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Evaluated detectors were diverse in their size and capabilities, ranging from backpack-sized systems to lane-spanning cargo scanning portals. Both spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic pedestrian and vehicle detection systems were characterized against uranium and plutonium sources. Signatures from the sources were modulated by both shielding and distance to quantify the performance of the relocatable systems as signal strength was decreased. Findings showed that relocatable spectroscopic detectors with isotope identification capabilities could reduce nuisance alarm rates compared to conventional fixed installation, gross-counting, radiation portal monitors. In vehicle scanning applications, detection ability generally trended with detection volume, regardless of spectral capability. In pedestrian scanning applications, several smaller backpack-sized detector systems were found to be more sensitive to detecting material than pedestrian portal monitors. The results of this characterization effort have helped inform the deployment of versatile equipment to improve nuclear security missions.

relocatable detectors, Nuclear Security↗
DOE OSTI2021

Preface to the Special Issue on Signal Processing, Data Acquisition and Front-end Systems for Radiation Detection and Measurements

This special issue of the Journal of Signal Processing Systems focuses on advancement of signal processing and data-acquisition for radiation detection and measurements. The seven articles included cover diverse topics within the scope of radiation detection ranging from understanding of fundamental fission process, instrumentation, and application of radiation interaction (e.g., tomography and imaging). The articles focus on signal processing for fission spectrometer, neutron and gamma-ray computed tomography and artificial intelligence methods, dynamic neutron imaging system, pulse-pileup correction in x-ray spectroscopy and calibration methods in radiation measurement.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2021

Method and apparatus for radiation detection based on time-of-flight within optical fibers

A radiation detection system using time of flight (TOF) information within multiple optical fiber complexes coupled with a scintillating material at intersections of repeatedly crossing over shape. Light detectors are placed at the ends of each fiber to detect scintillation events. A timing processor is collecting light detector signal to compute TOF difference and estimate the location and strength of radioactivity. The system is scalable in one dimension, capable of being shaped or curved, and customizable in terms of special resolution and sensitivity. The system is suitable for long range and coarse radiation detection.

Lee, Seung Jae↗
DOE OSTI2025

Operational Guidelines for Use of Radiation Portal Monitors in Nuclear Facilities

This article provides guidelines (not requirements) for the testing, operation, and maintenance of radiation portal monitors used to scan pedestrian and vehicular traffic entering or exiting nuclear facilities to prevent unauthorized removal of nuclear material. The intended audience is facility managers, supervisors, and operators who are responsible for establishing and maintaining radiation detection systems, who are likely well acquainted with physical security procedures, but may not have a familiarity with the operation of radiation detection.

Enders, Alexander [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (↗
DOE OSTI2025

Sensor Placement Optimization Study for the Built Environment: Operational Use Cases

Systems of fixed-position radiation sensors can provide information that assists emergency responders following nuclear and radiological incidents. State, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) government agencies that implement systems of fixed-position sensors are faced with numerous decisions regarding sensor selection, quantity, and placement. To develop guidance on implementation of radiation detection systems, we simulated the release of radioactive material in an urban environment using a combination of three models: the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF), Quick Urban and Industrial Complex (QUIC), and Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) models. We then evaluated the performance of several hypothetical sensor systems. The small number of simulations we conducted are not sufficient to generate definitive design guidance for radiation sensor systems, but we did identify trends that would be of interest to emergency planners. For a scenario that releases 1000 curies of Cs-137, radiation detectors were needed at 500-meter intervals to have a high likelihood of event detection and to estimate source location and plume detection. We also noted that optimal detector altitude varied with distance to the source. We recommend additional research in this area be conducted to support developing sensor placement guidelines that expand on a range of locations, isotopes, activity levels, and different weather conditions. Original simulation strategies included a range of environments, additional radioisotopes (Am241 and AmBe), and a larger selection of sensor types. These types of expansions would support SLTT guidance on sensor system recommendations.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2022

System and method for neutron and gamma radiation detection using non-homogeneous material scintillator

A scintillator system is disclosed for detecting incoming radiation. The system makes use of a scintillator structure having first and second dissimilar materials. The first dissimilar material emits a first color of light and the second dissimilar material emits a second color of light different from the first color of light. Either one, or both, of the first or second colors of light are emitted in response to receipt of the incoming radiation. A plurality of light detectors is disposed in proximity to the scintillator structure for detecting the first and second different colors of light and generating output signals in response thereto. A detector electronics subsystem is responsive to the output signals and provides an indication of colors emitted by the scintillator structure to infer at least one property of the incoming radiation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

Multifaceted radiation detection and classification system

A system identifying a source of radiation is provided. The system includes a radiation source detector and a radiation source identifier. The radiation source detector receives measurements of radiation; for one or more sources, generates a detection metric indicating whether that source is present in the measurements; and evaluates the detection metrics to detect whether a source is present in the measurements. When the presence of a source in the measurements is detected, the radiation source identifier for one or more sources, generates an identification metric indicating whether that source is present in the measurements; generates a null-hypothesis metric indicating whether no source is present in the measurements; evaluates the one or more identification metrics and the null-hypothesis metric to identify the source, if any, that is present in the measurements.

Labov, Simon E.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Multifaceted radiation detection and classification system

A system identifying a source of radiation is provided. The system includes a radiation source detector and a radiation source identifier. The radiation source detector receives measurements of radiation; for one or more sources, generates a detection metric indicating whether that source is present in the measurements; and evaluates the detection metrics to detect whether a source is present in the measurements. When the presence of a source in the measurements is detected, the radiation source identifier for one or more sources, generates an identification metric indicating whether that source is present in the measurements; generates a null-hypothesis metric indicating whether no source is present in the measurements; evaluates the one or more identification metrics and the null-hypothesis metric to identify the source, if any, that is present in the measurements.

Labov, Simon E.↗