Abstract: A device for determining the location of a source of radiation, based on data acquired at a single orientation of the device without iteration or rotations. Embodiments may comprise two side detector panels flanking a shield layer, plus a front detector positioned orthogonally in front of the side detectors. The various detectors thereby have contrasting angular sensitivities, so that a predetermined angular correlation function can determine the sign and magnitude of the source angle according to the detection rates. Rapid detection and localization of nuclear and radiological weapon materials enables greatly improved inspection of cargo containers and personnel. Advanced detectors such as those disclosed herein will be needed in the coming decades to protect against clandestine weapon transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a location of a neutron emitting source includes: a plurality of neutron detectors configured to receive incoming neutrons from an area of interest, each neutron detector being configured to produce an image of a path of light depicting a direction of travel of an incoming neutron; and a central processor coupled to each neutron detector in the plurality of neutron detectors and configured to receive the direction of travel of the incoming neutron from each neutron detector and to compute the location using the received directions.

Abstract: A neutron imaging system detects both the phase shift and absorption of neutrons passing through an object. The neutron imaging system is based on either of two different neutron wavefront sensor techniques: 2-D shearing interferometry and Hartmann wavefront sensing. Both approaches measure an entire two-dimensional neutron complex field, including its amplitude and phase. Each measures the full-field, two-dimensional phase gradients and, concomitantly, the two-dimensional amplitude mapping, requiring only a single measurement.

Abstract: The present invention is a radially symmetric imaging detector that measures an incident neutron's or gamma-ray's energy and identifies its source on an event-by-event basis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating location and size measurements for small scattered objects in a large medium are disclosed.

Abstract: A neutron detection system comprising a radiation portal monitor is disclosed. The radiation portal monitor includes a neutron moderator sheet and a neutron-sensing panel and is configured to receive incoming neutrons through a neutron collection portal area. The neutron-sensing panel comprises a neutron-sensing material optically coupled to a plurality of optical fibers such that the neutron moderator sheet and the neutron-sensing panel are disposed substantially parallel to the neutron collection portal area.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for performing combined neutron and gamma ray radiography. For example, one exemplary system comprises: a neutron source; a set of alpha particle detectors configured to detect alpha particles associated with neutrons generated by the neutron source; neutron detectors positioned to detect at least some of the neutrons generated by the neutron source; a gamma ray source; a set of verification gamma ray detectors configured to detect verification gamma rays associated with gamma rays generated by the gamma ray source; a set of gamma ray detectors configured to detect gamma rays generated by the gamma ray source; and an interrogation region located between the neutron source, the gamma ray source, the neutron detectors, and the gamma ray detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a location of a neutron emitting source includes: a plurality of neutron detectors configured to receive incoming neutrons from an area of interest, each neutron detector being configured to produce an image of a path of light depicting a direction of travel of an incoming neutron; and a central processor coupled to each neutron detector in the plurality of neutron detectors and configured to receive the direction of travel of the incoming neutron from each neutron detector and to compute the location using the received directions.

Abstract: A method of determining directionality of radiation is disclosed which comprises dividing the tensioned metastable fluid liquid volume adjacent to a radioactive source into a plurality of sectors, determining the opposing sector ratio of the respective sector and determining the direction of the radiation based on the opposing sector ratios of the plurality of sectors. The method further comprising determining directionality of incoming radiation from the tension pressure assisted elongation of bubble shapes pointing towards direction of radiation particles that interacted with nuclei of tensioned metastable fluid detector system. A device capable of carrying out these methods is also disclosed.

Abstract: A detector for fast neutrons has been developed which includes 1) selected open structure of solid hydrogen-containing material which converts impinging neutrons into recoil protons; 2) a surrounding gas which interacts with the protons to release electrons; 3) an electric field able to drift the electrons through and away from the open-structure material; and 4) an electron detector which monitors the drifted electrons thereby sensing the original impinging neutrons. This type of detector is advantageous for many applications, including efficient fast neutron detection; large area imaging of fast neutrons for fast neutron radiography; or fast neutron beam profiling.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for operating boron-coated straw detectors in sealed mode, without the need for a continuous flow of gas. Sealed-mode operation is necessary when using the boron-coated straw detectors in the field, where access to a continuous flow of the required gas mixture is not practical. Also, sealed-mode operation is necessary when the straw detectors are used as portable instruments, that must be moved from one location to the next swiftly, or that must be operated while in motion.

Abstract: A nuclear material detection device that can detect a nuclear material with high accuracy is provided. The nuclear material detection device (10) detects a nuclear material contained in an object under inspection A to be inspected. A neutron detection sensor (1) is disposed so as to oppose the object under inspection A and detects neutrons emitted from the nuclear material. The neutron detection sensor (1) can detect the two-dimensional position of the source of neutrons emitted from the nuclear material.

Abstract: This application relates to radiation detection, and more particularly, to a method and device for the remote detection and localization of nuclear materials in an unknown background. A method and apparatus for long range neutron and gamma ray detection and imaging is disclosed wherein a panel of thin walled tube detectors are rotated to enhance detection performance. The method and apparatus have particular applicability to portable monitoring and homeland security.

Abstract: A method of detecting an activator, the method including impinging a receptor material that is not predominately water and lacks a photoluminescent material with an activator and generating Cherenkov effect light due to the activator impinging the receptor material. The method further including identifying a characteristic of the activator based on the light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing testing a computer aided diagnosis (CAD)-based system comprising receiving radiological image of a patient acquired using at least one piece of radiological equipment at least partially controlled by a technologist, the patient being controlled by the technologies relative to the radiological equipment in acquiring said radiological image.

Abstract: A portable survey instrument and methodology yield intensity of neutron radiation, intensity of gamma radiation, and a direction of impinging gamma radiation. The instrument uses a neutron detector surrounded by an essentially rectangular moderator with preferably four gamma ray detectors disposed symmetrically about the neutron detector and within the moderator. Material and dimensions of the moderator are selected so that the neutron measurement is equally sensitive to fast and thermal neutrons. The moderator also induces angular responses to the gamma ray detectors. Responses of the gamma ray detectors are combined to yield a parameter indicative of the angular position of a source. The survey instrument is portable and suited for hand held use.

Abstract: In detectors for imaging and other applications, delay line anodes are arrayed so as to allow detection of the location and/or timing of particle hits. The anodes are arrayed to provide an upper anode and one or more lower anodes, with particles incident on the upper anode passing in turn to the lower anodes. The anode arrays allow the use of identically manufactured anodes which are maintained in parallel spaced relation along the travel path of the particles of interest without dielectric material or other structure situated between the anodes. The spacing between the anodes is preferably adjustable so as to allow the installer and/or user to modify the performance characteristics of the array. The anodes may be made of pre-formed metal foil signal and ground layers laminated onto opposing sides of a dielectric sheet, or may be etched or otherwise formed from flex circuit material, so that the anodes and the overall array are light weight, compact, and flexible.

Abstract: A radiation source position detection system is provided, wherein three radiation detectors are arranged at different positions. Based on radiations incident to each of the radiation detectors, curved surfaces where a radiation source exists are calculated. By solving equations of each of the curved surfaces simultaneously, the position of the radiation source is detected.

Abstract: A method for determining which of a plurality of detectors transmitted a signal, such as a signal related to neutron or gamma emissions, includes connecting each of the detectors to a single cable, such as an environmentally rugged cable. Signals are transmitted from each of the detectors over the single cable. The two ends of the cable are connected to two receivers. A different unique delay is introduced between receipt by the two receivers of a signal over the cable for each of the detectors. The receivers, which have a preamplifier, an amplifier and a discriminator, receive the signals from the two ends of the cable. A timing analyzer, such as a time-to-amplitude converter, measures a delay between one signal from one end and the other signal from the other end of the cable. A processor employs the amplitude of the signal output by the timing analyzer.