US EPA

1439485 

Journal Article 

Gamma radiation detectors for safeguards applications 

Carchon, R; Moeslinger, M; Bourva, L; Bass, C; Zendel, M 

2007 

1 

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
ISSN: 0168-9002 

579 

1 

380-383 

10.1016/j.nima.2007.04.086 

WOS:000249348400093 

The IAEA uses extensively a variety of gamma radiation
detectors to verify nuclear material. These detectors are part of standardized spectrometry
systems: germanium detectors for High-Resolution Gamma Spectrometry (HRGS); Cadmium Zinc
Telluride (CZT) detectors for Room Temperature Gamma Spectrometry (RTGS); and NaI(TI) detectors
for Low Resolution Gamma Spectrometry (LRGS). HRGS with high-purity Germanium (HpGe) detectors
cooled by liquid nitrogen is widely used in nuclear safeguards to verify the isotopic composition
of plutonium or uranium in non-irradiated material. Alternative cooling systems have been
evaluated and electrically cooled HpGe detectors show a potential added value, especially for
unattended measurements. The spectrometric performance of CZT detectors, their robustness and
simplicity are key to the successful verification of irradiated materials. Further development,
such as limiting the charge trapping effects in CZT to provide improved sensitivity and energy
resolution are discussed. NaI(TI) detectors have many applications-specifically in hand-held
radioisotope identification devices (RID) which are used to detect the presence of radioactive
material where a lower resolution is sufficient, as they benefit from a generally higher
sensitivity. The Agency is also continuously involved in the review and evaluation of new and
emerging technologies in the field of radiation detection such as: Peltier-cooled CdTe detectors;
semiconductor detectors operating at room temperature such as HgI2 and GaAs; and, scintillator
detectors using glass fibres or LaBr3. A final conclusion, proposing recommendations for future
action, is made. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 

gamma detectors; safeguards; HpGe; CZT; NaI