David H. Beddingfield

Advanced multi-dimensional imaging of gamma-ray radiation

Abstract The tracking of radiation contamination and distribution has become a high-priority US DOE task. To support DOE needs, Radiation Monitoring Devices Inc. has been actively carrying out research and development on a gamma-radiation imager, RadCam 2000 TM . The imager is based upon a position-sensitive PMT coupled to a scintillator near a MURA coded aperture. The modulated gamma flux detected by the PSPMT is mathematically decoded to produce images that are computer displayed in near real time. Additionally, we have developed a data-manipulation scheme which allows a multi-dimensional data array, comprised of x position, y position, and energy, to be used in the imaging process. In the imager software a gate can be set on a specific isotope energy to reveal where in the field of view the gated data lies or, conversely, a gate can be set on an area in the field of view to examine what isotopes are present in that area. This process is complicated by the FFT decoding process used with the coded aperture; however, we have achieved excellent performance and results are presented here.

Neutron proportional counter design for high gamma-ray environments

Abstract A parametric analysis of the performance of 3 He neutron proportional detector tubes in mixed gamma-ray/neutron environments has been performed. The objective of this study was to determine the optimum tube design configuration for minimized gamma-ray sensitivity based upon commercially available components. The parameters examined in the study were the tube wall material, the admix gas identity, the total fill pressure, and the tube lining material. The study resulted in the quantification of the limitations of typical 3 He tube designs and in the development of a new tube design which extends the usefulness of 3 He tubes in mixed gamma-ray/neutron environments.

Distributed source term analysis, a new approach to nuclear material inventory verification

The Distributed Source-Term Analysis (DSTA) technique is a new approach to measuring in-process material holdup that is a significant departure from traditional hold-up measurement methodology. The DSTA method is a means of determining the mass of nuclear material within a large, diffuse, volume using passive neutron counting. The DSTA method is a more efficient approach than traditional methods of holdup measurement and inventory verification. The time spent in performing DSTA measurement and analysis is a fraction of that required by traditional techniques. The error ascribed to a DSTA survey result is generally less than that from traditional methods. Also, the negative bias ascribed to γ-ray methods is greatly diminished because the DSTA method uses neutrons which are more penetrating than γ-rays.

Parametric optimization of neutron drum counter

Abstract We optimize the efficiency of neutron counter designs for 208-1 drums when counting totals neutrons by using MCNP. Design parameters, including the number of 3 He tubes and the tube pitch, depth, and gas-fill pressure, were investigated. Both cylindrical and rectilinear geometries with and without cadmium liners were examined. Fission spectra from both 240 Pu and 252 Cf were modeled as isotropic point sources located in the geometric center of the detector cavities.

A Prescription for List-Mode Data Processing Conventions

There are a variety of algorithmic approaches available to process list-mode pulse streams to produce multiplicity histograms for subsequent analysis. In the development of the INCC v6.0 code to include the processing of this data format, we have noted inconsistencies in the “processed time” between the various approaches. The processed time, tp, is the time interval over which the recorded pulses are analyzed to construct multiplicity histograms. This is the time interval that is used to convert measured counts into count rates. The observed inconsistencies in tp impact the reported count rate information and the determination of the error-values associated with the derived singles, doubles, and triples counting rates. This issue is particularly important in low count-rate environments. In this report we will present a prescription for the processing of list-mode counting data that produces values that are both correct and consistent with traditional shift-register technologies. It is our objective to define conventions for list mode data processing to ensure that the results are physically valid and numerically aligned with the results from shift-register electronics.