Apparatus and method for detection, location, and identification of gamma sources
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation from a radiation source comprising a set of one or more radioisotopes, the apparatus comprising:
- a first scintillator detector ensemble comprising at least two scintillation detectors each producing a distinct electrical signal and each comprising a scintillator crystal having a response varying with angular disposition with respect to a source, said crystals being disposed at angular offsets with respect to a reference axis and having an output and a processing and control circuit including a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal, and a processing circuit to evaluate the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for at least one detected radioisotope in the plane of detection wherein the processing and control circuit is further configured to monitor a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to said set of one or more radioisotopes and compare detected energy spectra to stored signatures.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation includes at least two scintillation crystals at angular offsets and directed toward a common plane of detection, photodetectors adjacent to each of the scintillation crystals for converting the light response of the scintillation crystals into distinct electrical signals, and a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal. The digital processing system monitors a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to a selected set of radioisotopes, and uses one or more of the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for a detected radioisotope in the plane of detection. Another scintillation crystal directed outside of the common plane of detection may be used for three-dimensional detection. Related methods for detection and location of gamma ray sources are discussed.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation from a radiation source comprising a set of one or more radioisotopes, the apparatus comprising:
- a first scintillator detector ensemble comprising at least two scintillation detectors each producing a distinct electrical signal and each comprising a scintillator crystal having a response varying with angular disposition with respect to a source, said crystals being disposed at angular offsets with respect to a reference axis and having an output and a processing and control circuit including a digital processing system configured to analyze spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal, and a processing circuit to evaluate the electrical signals to determine a signal intensity and a likely source azimuth for at least one detected radioisotope in the plane of detection wherein the processing and control circuit is further configured to monitor a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to said set of one or more radioisotopes and compare detected energy spectra to stored signatures.
- View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of detecting and determining a source azimuth for gamma radiation from a selected set of one or more radioisotopes. the method comprising:
- providing at least two scintillation detectors each comprising a scintillator crystal having a response varying with angular disposition with respect to a source, placing the at least two scintillation detectors at angular offsets to each other with respect to a common axis;
producing at least one electrical signal for each scintillation detector in response to detected radiation;
analyzing spectral data from each electrical signal produced for each crystal at a finite number of spectral windows corresponding to said selected set of radioisotopes; and
calculating from one or more of the electrical signals a signal intensity and selectively calculating in accordance with a signal level a likely source azimuth with respect to the reference axis for at least one detected radioisotope, the method further comprising;
suppressing the calculation of the likely source azimuth for a given radioisotope unless an electrical signal within a spectral window corresponding to the given radioisotope exceeds a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- providing at least two scintillation detectors each comprising a scintillator crystal having a response varying with angular disposition with respect to a source, placing the at least two scintillation detectors at angular offsets to each other with respect to a common axis;
Specification