Multi-mode Handheld Radioisotope Identification Instrument

Handheld radioisotope identification instruments (RIIDs) are an important, front-line tool for passively detecting, locating, and characterizing radioactive materials and thereby helping to prevent the spread of illicit nuclear materials. Border patrol, customs, and law enforcement personnel, along with warfighters, demand an enhanced, more sensitive RIID capable of integrated gamma and neutron detection and defeating attempts to shield radiation sources. The device must be lightweight, rugged, sensitive to fast and thermal neutrons, low power, and small enough to be wearable for hands-free operation. In this Phase I effort, Endectra LLC will combine the novel solid-state borosilicate glass neutron detector technology CBSG with the latest in proven Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT)spectroscopy technology to design a prototype RIID that can meet all DTRA and end-user requirements for a fully integrated gamma/neutron RIID design. The effort will include extensive modelling studies to demonstrate device sensitivity and the capability for gamma detection, fast and thermal neutron detection, and radioisotope identification.