A new type of handheld detector for all kinds of ionized radiation improves radiation safety

Jivaskira University (Finland) has partnered with Finland’s Nuclear Safety Agency (STUK) to develop a new type of handheld multi-purpose radiation detector that comprehensively detects all types of ionized radiation. The device can be used by industrial and medical radiation users, regulatory authorities, nuclear energy industry, first responders and military users. The technology is patented and is currently being investigated for commercialization.

The developed multi-purpose radiation detector can be compared to Swiss Army knife, which packs a wide range of tools into small packages for many different applications. This paper is published in Physics Research Section A: Nuclear Nuclear Instruments and Methods for Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Related Instruments.

“Detectors have versatile measurement capabilities,” says Kari Peräjärvi, the Chief Advisor at the Finnish Nuclear Safety Agency (Stuk), who is also a professor of practice in the field of radiation safety research at Zivaskira University.

“This will provide a very rapid generation of comprehensive situational awareness in unknown situations and improve security. The various possibilities for radiation measurements make working in the field easier, especially when there is no need to carry several different detectors.”

Detectors measure any type of ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation is a higher energy radiation that has enough energy to directly or indirectly destroy electrons from an atom. There are four types of ionizing radiation. Alpha radiation consists of beta radiation composed of helium nuclei, electrons or protons, electromagnetic X-rays and gamma rays, and neutron radiation. The new detector detects all these types of radiation.

“Alpha and beta radiometric capabilities allow for the measurement of radioactive contamination on a variety of surfaces,” explains Wil Bogdanov, a doctoral researcher at Jyväskylä University. “It can be used to detect leaked radiation sources or liquid radioactive materials scattered on surfaces. For example, you can check wiped samples under field conditions.”

For highly permeable gamma rays, the device can detect and detect gamma ray radiating materials in the direction. The directional sensing feature is a completely new feature of detectors of this size. Directional sensitivity is particularly useful during unknown circumstances, during inspections by authorities, or during detection of attempts to smuggle radioactive sources. Additionally, the detector can detect the presence of uncharged neutrons directly and indirectly.

“To detect nuclear material containing plutonium, we need the possibility to measure neutron radiation,” Bogdanov says. “It also allows for more accurate characterization of neutron sources.”

Five detectors in a single small and light package

The multi-purpose detector uses digital electronics integrated with multi-layer Phoswich technology. Phoswich Technology optically combines several different types of scintillation materials. Each scintillation layer acts as an independent radiation detector.

“The detectors consist of five different types and scintillation layer thicknesses in a precisely defined order,” says Bogdanov. “This means that a multipurpose detector has five radiation detectors in one package.”

Phoswich technology also allows for simpler electronics use. This allows the detector to be extremely compact in size.

“The prototype version of the detector weighs less than two kilograms,” says Peräjärvi. “Changing to a silicon photoelectron grower, for example, can make it lighter and reduce the size.”

New technology to be patented and commercialized

Phoswich technology also enables a wide range of scalable and modular solutions for a wide range of applications. In the future, Phoswich technology will be used for other types of radiation detectors, such as backpack-type multi-purpose, fixed or relocatable radiation portal surveillance systems, and home or unmanned aerial vehicles or ground vehicles.

“The University of Zibaskira and the Finland Radiation and Nuclear Safety have already applied for patents for the technology,” Perayarvi says. “The next step is to find business partners to commercialize technology. Our broader objective is to develop more versatile radiation detectors. Research and development continues.”