Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for transparent glass composite having nanoparticles therein that scintillate in the presence of nuclear radiation, particularly gamma rays, but also x-rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons. The transparent glass composites can be prepared by a melt/cool process to produce the transparent glass composite. The wavelength of light emitted by the transparent glass composite can be tailored based on the materials used to make the glass composite. A detector that utilizes the transparent glass composite can measure nuclear radiation from numerous sources.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method of detecting inaccessible radiation sources by measuring corresponding ions and excited molecules created by radiation, using LIDAR technology. The LIDAR system of the present invention employs a pulsed laser transmitter, a telescope receiver, and associated control and acquisition systems. Light propagates out from the laser transmitted and is directed into the volume surrounding the radioactive source, or the “ion cloud.” The ion cloud absorbs the transmitted light, which induces the non-fluorescing ions to fluoresce. Light from the ion cloud is then backscattered and the telescope receiver subsequently collects the photons from the backscattered light. The intensity of the fluorescence (determined by the photon count) is measured, which provides an indication of the number density of the ionized atoms. Algorithms can then be used to relate the measured ionization rates to the source activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for transparent glass composite having nanoparticles therein that scintillate in the presence of nuclear radiation, particularly gamma rays, but also x-rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons. The transparent glass composites can be prepared by a melt/cool process to produce the transparent glass composite. The wavelength of light emitted by the transparent glass composite can be tailored based on the materials used to make the glass composite. A detector that utilizes the transparent glass composite can measure nuclear radiation from numerous sources.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a method of detecting inaccessible radiation sources by measuring corresponding ions and excited molecules created by radiation, using LIDAR technology. The LIDAR system of the present invention employs a pulsed laser transmitter, a telescope receiver, and associated control and acquisition systems. Light propagates out from the laser transmitted and is directed into the volume surrounding the radioactive source, or the “ion cloud.” The ion cloud absorbs the transmitted light, which induces the non-fluorescing ions to fluoresce. Light from the ion cloud is then backscattered and the telescope receiver subsequently collects the photons from the backscattered light. The intensity of the fluorescence (determined by the photon count) is measured, which provides an indication of the number density of the ionized atoms. Algorithms can then be used to relate the measured ionization rates to the source activity.