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Collimator-Less Passive Gamma Scanning for Radioactive Waste Drums

In this article, a new method to quantify the activity of spatially distributed gamma-emitting isotopes (hotspots) in homogenous content waste drums without the use of a collimator is presented. The method utilizes a spatial digital filter derived using maximum likelihood (ML) to determine multiple...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE transactions on nuclear science 2020-04, Vol.67 (4), p.544-551
Main Authors: Vax, Eran, Marcus, Eliezer, Mazor, Tzahi, Kadmon, Yagil, Osovizky, Alon
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:In this article, a new method to quantify the activity of spatially distributed gamma-emitting isotopes (hotspots) in homogenous content waste drums without the use of a collimator is presented. The method utilizes a spatial digital filter derived using maximum likelihood (ML) to determine multiple sources' positions and then calculate their activities. To solve the multidimensional maximization problem, we use an alternating projection (AP) technique, which transforms the problem into a considerably simpler 1-D maximization problem. A dynamic grid search was developed to further decrease the computational load. The mathematical simulations demonstrate the improved accuracy when compared to that of industrial segmented gamma scanning (SGS) systems and the same accuracy as that of newer methods. Furthermore, the new method offers the benefit of replacing the heavy mechanical collimator with a "virtual collimator" formed by digital filters and an advanced algorithm to create a "digital virtual scan" of drum volume to locate hotspots.
ISSN:0018-9499
1558-1578
DOI:10.1109/TNS.2020.2975239