Timepix3 detector network for nuclear waste monitoring

B Biskup ,Milan Malich,Petr Burian,Peter Rubovič ,M Pichotka ,T Slavíček ,Pavel Broulím ,B Bergmann ,Y Mora ,Lukáš Pušman ,Petr Mánek ,Lukáš Meduna ,P Smolyanskiy

doi:10.1051/epjconf/202125307010

Abstract

In the framework of the MICADO project we proposed an active long-term nuclear waste monitoring system based on Timepix3 technology. Particle detectors based on Timepix3 are capable of particle type discrimination and provide spectrometric information in combination with precise timing information. To maximize the versatility of the setup, the Timepix3 detectors employed are equipped with a range of different sensors. To enable measurement of neutrons, two quadrants of the detectors are covered by neutron converters, allowing detection of thermal neutron by capture in 6Li, as well as detection of fast neutrons through recoil protons generated in a polyethylene converter. Within this project a new housing for the detector unit and the readout was developed, with the network currently comprising of 9 such detectors. A specifically developed in-house software handles simultaneous operation of all devices, cluster analysis and data visualization. Energy calibration was performed using an X-ray tube with several fluorescence foils as well as photons from an 241Am source. The neutron and gamma/X-ray detection efficiency calibration was carried out at the Czech Metrology Institute and the results are presented here. Tests on simultaneous operation of all 9 devices were performed using uraninite and 241Am sources.

Highlights

THE Horizon 2020 funded MICADO [1] project (Measurement and Instrumentation for Cleaning and Decommissioning Operations) aims at proposing a costeffective solution for non-destructive characterization of nuclear waste, implementing a digitization process that could become a referenced standard facilitating and harmonizing the methodology used for the in-field Waste Management and Dismantling & Decommissioning operations.Distributed networks of hybrid semiconductor pixelated detectors (HPDs) have proven their efficiency and robustness in characterization of mixed radiation fields in various longterm investigations
In 2018 this network, which was originally based on the Timepix1 ASIC, has been amended by 4 Timpix3 [4,5] devices, resulting in improved particle discrimination capabilities as well as improved energetic and temporal resolution
In the framework of the MICADO project, we propose a long-term nuclear waste monitoring system based on Timepix3 technology as an alternative/complementary solution to the conventionally used detectors

Summary

INTRODUCTION

THE Horizon 2020 funded MICADO [1] project (Measurement and Instrumentation for Cleaning and Decommissioning Operations) aims at proposing a costeffective solution for non-destructive characterization of nuclear waste, implementing a digitization process that could become a referenced standard facilitating and harmonizing the methodology used for the in-field Waste Management and Dismantling & Decommissioning operations. In 2018 this network, which was originally based on the Timepix ASIC, has been amended by 4 Timpix3 [4,5] devices, resulting in improved particle discrimination capabilities as well as improved energetic and temporal resolution. For this reason, in the framework of the MICADO project, we propose a long-term nuclear waste monitoring system based on Timepix technology as an alternative/complementary solution to the conventionally used detectors

TIMEPIX3 NETWORK

RESULTS

CONCLUSIONS