Man-Portable, High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometer

The detection and identification of threats due to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) or associated special materials is of increasing importance to national security. The goal of the proposed program is to develop a man-portable,battery-operated gamma-ray spectrometer for the high-resolution characterization of the hidden contents of sealed containers, including nuclear, radiological, and chemical materials from which weapons of mass destruction could be developed or assembled.The gamma-ray spectrometer will employ a semiconductor crystal detector combined with novel cooling technology. This advanced spectrometer will provide significant advantages in comparison to conventional, electromechanically cooled instruments, includingsmaller weight and overall size, no microphonics, and operation using rechargeable batteries. In Phase I, measurements of both cooling and resulting detection performance will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed technology. In Phase II, aman-portable prototype spectrometer will be developed and demonstrated in field tests. The gamma-ray spectrometer to be developed in this program will be man-portable in the field, and provide high-resolution spectral analysis of the hidden contents ofsealed containers. Potential commercial applications include all areas that require security inspection and/or safeguarding of special nuclear and radiological materials, including arms control treaty verification, counter-proliferation andcounter-terrorism operations, surveillance and screening for homeland security, as well as object and event monitoring at borders, ports, and facilities.