The present invention relates to a system (10) and method for the volumetric and isotopic identification of the spatial distribution of ionizing radiation from point or extensive radioactive sources (3) in radioactive surroundings. More specifically, this system (10) comprises a gamma radiation detector (2) and an optical transducer (1) joined to each other and linked to a control unit to detect the absolute position of radioactive sources (3) relative to a visual reference located in the radioactive surroundings, and to determine the radioactive activity of the sources, that is to say it detects the isotope composition of the radioactive sources (3).

The present invention relates to a system (10) and method for the volumetric and isotopic identification of the spatial distribution of ionizing radiation from point or extensive radioactive sources (3) in radioactive surroundings. More specifically, this system (10) comprises a gamma radiation detector (2) and an optical transducer (1) joined to each other and linked to a control unit to detect the absolute position of radioactive sources (3) relative to a visual reference located in the radioactive surroundings, and to determine the radioactive activity of the sources, that is to say it detects the isotope composition of the radioactive sources (3).

Methods and apparatus for calibrating radioactive sources are described. An array of scintillation detectors forms a receptacle within which a sample or sample container can be retained by a holder. The scintillation detectors are coupled via light transducers such as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to independent electronic counters. Coincidence processing of time-tagged events yields a correlated event rate. One or more corrections can be applied as needed, for background counts, deadtime, or random coincidences. Voltage tuning of PMTs yields improved reproducibility. Accuracy of 1% has been demonstrated over a range of 10 kBq-3 MBq.

Methods and apparatus for calibrating radioactive sources are described. An array of scintillation detectors forms a receptacle within which a sample or sample container can be retained by a holder. The scintillation detectors are coupled via light transducers such as photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) to independent electronic counters. Coincidence processing of time-tagged events yields a correlated event rate. One or more corrections can be applied as needed, for background counts, deadtime, or random coincidences. Voltage tuning of PMTs yields improved reproducibility. Accuracy of 1% has been demonstrated over a range of 10 kBq-3 MBq.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus, comprising: a platform configured to support a human body on a first surface of the platform; a first set of radiation detectors arranged in a first layer, wherein the radiation detectors of the first set are attached to a second surface of the platform opposite the first surface; wherein the radiation detectors of the first set are configured to detect radiation from a radiation source inside the human body.

A system for scanning shipping containers, comprising an unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle includes a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions for execution. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the unmanned vehicle to move along faces of a shipping container, and record container data collected from the sensor while scanning the shipping container.

A system for scanning shipping containers, comprising an unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle includes a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions for execution. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the unmanned vehicle to move along faces of a shipping container, and record container data collected from the sensor while scanning the shipping container.

A control apparatus may include a processor for calculating a detection efficiency, which is detected by a gamma-ray detection unit, of gamma-rays emitted from a sample stuffed into a first container. A shape of the first container is a shape which surrounds at least a part of the gamma-ray detection unit that detects the gamma-rays. An area inside the first container is divided into a plurality of similar areas which is area similar in shape to each other. The gamma-ray detection unit detects the gamma-rays emitted from the sample included in each the similar areas for each of the plurality of similar areas. The processor calculates the detection efficiency as a similar-area-detection efficiency based on a result of detection performed by the gamma-ray detection unit.

A control apparatus may include a processor for calculating a detection efficiency, which is detected by a gamma-ray detection unit, of gamma-rays emitted from a sample stuffed into a first container. A shape of the first container is a shape which surrounds at least a part of the gamma-ray detection unit that detects the gamma-rays. An area inside the first container is divided into a plurality of similar areas which is area similar in shape to each other. The gamma-ray detection unit detects the gamma-rays emitted from the sample included in each the similar areas for each of the plurality of similar areas. The processor calculates the detection efficiency as a similar-area-detection efficiency based on a result of detection performed by the gamma-ray detection unit.

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.