Radiation detection instrument receives patent

September 1, 2011—Scientists from the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Physics, Intelligence and Space Research, and Nuclear Non-proliferation divisions and collaborators from the Raytheon Company recently received a patent for a "Multimodal Radiation Imager."

This invention combines two gamma-ray radiation imaging techniques so that operators can search broader areas and detect radiological materials from a greater distance than currently used technology allows. Mounted on a truck, the imager can scan a given area from up to 100 meters away while driving.

Detecting nuclear materials from far away

The invention's purpose is to detect and locate illicit nuclear materials. In spite of the background radiation produced by naturally occurring radioactive materials in the environment, the novel combination of imaging modalities allows the instrument to detect more diverse radiological threats at larger standoff distances than ever before.

The imager was designed, developed, and built in prototype form as part of the Stand-Off Radiation Detection System (SORDS) project, which was recognized for its programmatic impact at the Laboratory’s Technology Transfer Recognition and Awards ceremony last year. The device has been demonstrated successfully in extensive field-testing campaigns. The Department of Homeland Security, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office sponsored the work.

LANL inventors include Larry Schultz of Applied Modern Physics, David Palmer, Andrew Hoover, Shawn Tornga, and Marc Kippen of Space Science and Applications, and Mark Wallace of Global Security Programs. The work supports LANL’s Global Security mission area and the Science of Signatures science pillar.