Gamma-ray Imaging Research Articles

Gamma-ray imaging of Np-237 metal using an organic glass imager

Neutron and gamma-ray imaging systems are deployed within the field of nuclear safeguards for the detection and localization of special nuclear materials and other materials of interest. 237Np is one of these materials of interest due its presence in spent nuclear fuel and potential for use in nuclear weapons when purified. Here, for the first time, a 6 kg neptunium sphere (98.8 wt% 237Np) was measured using a dual-particle imager, from the University of Michigan, consisting of organic glass and inorganic scintillators. The novel composition of organic glass scintillator was recently developed at Sandia National Labs and has been used in particle imaging systems due to its time resolution and particle discrimination capabilities. Gamma-ray energy spectra from single and coincident events were extracted and the sequencing of Compton scatter and photoelectric absorption gamma-ray events was used to generate images using simple backprojection. The emissions of interest in this work are the 312 keV and 416 keV gamma rays from 233Pa, a daughter isotope from the neptunium decay series. The results of this work show that there is close agreement between the true source location in angular space and the converged location from the gamma ray images created using the system. The gamma spectroscopy from single and coincident events also identified the characteristic emission from the daughter isotope and could be used to assist with the identification of 237Np. Furthermore, successful localization of the source with 5 s of data demonstrates the practical application of the imaging system for imaging and detection of material in weapons-useable quantities.

Virtual source approach for maximizing resolution in high-penetration gamma-ray imaging

High-energy gamma-ray radiography has exceptional penetration ability and has become an indispensable nondestructive testing (NDT) tool in various fields. For high-energy photons, point projection radiography is almost the only feasible imaging method, and its spatial resolution is primarily constrained by the size of the gamma-ray source. In conventional industrial applications, gamma-ray sources are commonly based on electron beams driven by accelerators, utilizing the process of bremsstrahlung radiation. The size of the gamma-ray source is dependent on the dimensional characteristics of the electron beam. Extensive research has been conducted on various advanced accelerator technologies that have the potential to greatly improve spatial resolution in NDT. In our investigation of laser-driven gamma-ray sources, a spatial resolution of about 90 µm is achieved when the areal density of the penetrated object is 120 g/cm2. A virtual source approach is proposed to optimize the size of the gamma-ray source used for imaging, with the aim of maximizing spatial resolution. In this virtual source approach, the gamma ray can be considered as being emitted from a virtual source within the convertor, where the equivalent gamma-ray source size in imaging is much smaller than the actual emission area. On the basis of Monte Carlo simulations, we derive a set of evaluation formulas for virtual source scale and gamma-ray emission angle. Under optimal conditions, the virtual source size can be as small as 15 µm, which can significantly improve the spatial resolution of high-penetration imaging to less than 50 µm.

Simulation of a gamma-ray imaging technique using detector response patterns

We introduce a novel gamma-ray imaging technique that uses detector response patterns. This method employs multiple shielding cubes randomly positioned in a three-dimensional configuration. Within the volume defined by these cubes, a unique gamma-ray flux pattern is formed based on the incidence direction of the gamma rays. This pattern can be measured using the responses of several scintillator cubes. By pre-measuring the detector response pattern and incidence direction of the gamma rays, the incidence direction can be estimated using an unfolding technique. Simulations were performed using a 137Cs point source. Our results show that a 10 MBq 137Cs source, located 3 m away from the imager, can be imaged with an angular resolution close to 10°. These findings suggest that our new method is comparable to existing gamma-ray imaging techniques. Potential applications of this imaging method include nuclear power plant decommissioning, nuclear medicine, security, and astronomy.

Monte Carlo simulation of spatial resolution of lens-coupled LYSO scintillator for intense pulsed gamma-ray imaging system with large field of view

In this paper, we use a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation based on Geant4 to investigate the influence of four parameters on the spatial resolution of the lens-coupled lutetium yttrium orthosilicate (LYSO) scintillator, including the thickness of the LYSO scintillator, the F-number and minification factor of the lens, and the incident position of the gamma-rays. Simulation results show that when the gamma-rays are incident along the lens axis, the smaller the thickness, the larger the F-number, the larger the minification factor, the higher the spatial resolution, with an isotropic point spread function (PSF). As the incident position of the gamma-rays deviates from the lens axis, the spatial resolution decreases, and the PSF becomes anisotropic. In addition, by analyzing the whole physical process of the lens-coupled LYSO scintillator from gamma-rays to secondary electrons to fluorescence photons, we aim to provide a detailed analysis of the influence of each parameter on the spatial resolution. The results show that the PSF of the secondary electrons energy deposition is almost constant in the simulation, which determines the upper limit of the spatial resolution. Meanwhile, the dispersion process of the fluorescence photons can explain the reason why each parameter affects the spatial resolution.

A novel energy reconstruction method for the MAGIC stereoscopic observation

We report the successful development of a novel methodology of energy reconstruction for very high energy gamma rays detected with Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs). This methodology, based on the machine learning algorithm Random Forest, and named RF-Erec, has been adjusted for being used with data from the Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) stereo telescope system, which is a worldwide leading instrument for gamma-ray astronomy in the energy range from about 20GeV to beyond 100TeV.The RF-Erec has been evaluated using different realistic scenarios with Monte Carlo simulated data and real observations from the Crab Nebula (the standard candle for the VHE gamma-ray community). This new methodology has been validated by the MAGIC software board, and it is implemented and ready-to-use in the MAGIC Analysis and Reconstruction Software (MARS). This new methodology, validated by the MAGIC software board, has been implemented and is ready for use in the MAGIC Analysis and Reconstruction Software (MARS). We demonstrate that, in comparison to the previous energy reconstruction methodology for MAGIC data, which relied on Look-Up-Tables (LUTs- Erec) and has been utilized in over 100 scientific publications over the last decade, RF-Erec significantly enhances the energy reconstruction of gamma rays. This improvement extends the capabilities of the MAGIC telescopes.Specifically, when quantifying the energy resolution with the width of a Gaussian fitted to the error distribution (resolution-σ), the RF-Erec energy resolution-σ is 20% at 100 GeV and 11% above 1 TeV for Zenith distances (Zd) below 35 degrees, while it is 20% at 1TeV and 13% above 10TeV for Zd above 55 degrees. For a wide range of the observable energies, the improvement of energy resolution-σ, compared to LUTs-Erec, reaches roughly a factor of two, and the improvement is even larger for high Zd observations. Differently to many other works in the literature, our evaluation also considers the energy dispersion and the actual energy migration of events, where RF-Erec improves the performance of LUTs-Erec by factors of a few. The manuscript also demonstrates the importance of energy reconstruction methods with a small energy migration in order to prevent the appearance of artificial spectral features. These artifacts are particularly important at the high end of the gamma-ray spectra, where a few extra high-energy photons could have dramatic consequences for studies related to the EBL attenuation, Lorentz invariance violation, or searches for Axion-like-particles.

Highlights of the Magic Florian Goebel Telescopes in the Study of Active Galactic Nuclei

The MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov) Florian Goebel telescopes are a system of two Cherenkov telescopes located on the Canary island of La Palma (Spain), at the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory, which have been operating in stereo mode since 2009. Their low energy threshold (down to 15 GeV) allows the investigation of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) in the very-high-energy (VHE, E > 100 GeV) gamma-ray range with a sensitivity up to the redshift limit of the existing IACT (Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes) systems. The MAGIC telescopes discovered 36 extragalactic objects emitting VHE gamma-rays and performed comprehensive studies of galaxies and their AGNs, also in a multi-wavelength (MWL) and multi-messenger (MM) context, expanding the knowledge of our Universe. Here, we report on the highlights achieved by the MAGIC collaboration since the beginning of their operations.

Novel applications of state-of-the-art gamma-ray imaging technique: from nuclear decommissioning and radioprotection to radiological characterization and safeguards

Novel applications of state-of-the-art gamma-ray imaging technique: from nuclear decommissioning and radioprotection to radiological characterization and safeguards

Gamma-ray sources imaging and test-beam results with MACACO III Compton camera

Hadron therapy is a radiotherapy modality which offers a precise energy deposition to the tumors and a dose reduction to healthy tissue as compared to conventional methods. However, methods for real-time monitoring are required to ensure that the radiation dose is deposited on the target. The IRIS group of IFIC-Valencia developed a Compton camera prototype for this purpose, intending to image the Prompt Gammas emitted by the tissue during irradiation. The system detectors are composed of Lanthanum (III) bromide scintillator crystals coupled to silicon photomultipliers. After an initial characterization in the laboratory, in order to assess the system capabilities for future experiments in proton therapy centers, different tests were carried out in two facilities: PARTREC (Groningen, The Netherlands) and the CNA cyclotron (Sevilla, Spain). Characterization studies performed at PARTREC indicated that the detectors linearity was improved with respect to the previous version and an energy resolution of 5.2 % FWHM at 511 keV was achieved. Moreover, the imaging capabilities of the system were evaluated with a line source of 68Ge and a point-like source of 241Am-9Be. Images at 4.439 MeV were obtained from irradiation of a graphite target with an 18 MeV proton beam at CNA, to perform a study of the system potential to detect shifts at different intensities. In this sense, the system was able to distinguish 1 mm variations in the target position at different beam current intensities for measurement times of 1800 and 600 s.

Production and synthesis of a novel 191Pt-labeled platinum complex and evaluation of its biodistribution in healthy mice

We previously reported that our sugar-conjugated platinum complex (cis-dichloro [(2-fluoro-α-d-glucopylanosidyl) propane-1,3-diamine] platinum: FGC-Pt) has low toxicity and tumor growth inhibitory effect comparable to that of cisplatin. We focused on radioactive Pt isotopes in order to analyze the kinetics of FGC-Pt using gamma-ray imaging techniques, assuming that FGC-Pt could be used for chemotherapy in the future. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop a non-invasive method to analyze the biodistribution of FGC-Pt using 191Pt-labeled FGC-Pt ([191Pt]FGC-Pt).191Pt was produced via the (n,2n) reaction induced by accelerator neutrons. [191Pt]FGC-Pt was prepared using two different methods. In the first method, [191Pt]FGC-Pt (method A) was obtained through the accelerator neutron irradiation of FGC-Pt. In the second method, [191Pt]FGC-Pt (method B) was synthesized using [191Pt]K2PtCl4, which was obtained by the accelerator neutron irradiation of K2PtCl4. Highly purified [191Pt]FGC-Pt was obtained using the latter method, which suggests that the synthetic method using a 191Pt-labeled platinum reagent is suitable for the radioactivation of platinum complexes.We also aimed to investigate whether a significant correlation existed between the biodistribution of FGC-Pt and [191Pt]FGC-Pt in healthy mice 24 h after tail vein administration. FGC-Pt and [191Pt]FGC-Pt were similarly distributed in healthy mice, with a higher accumulation in the liver and kidney 24 h post injection. In addition, a significant correlation (p < 0.05, r = 0.92) between the 191Pt radioactivity concentration (%ID/g (gamma counter)) and platinum concentration (%ID/g (ICP-MS)) was observed in 13 organs. These results suggest that 191Pt-labeled compounds, synthesized using radioactive platinum reagents, can be used to confirm the biodistribution of platinum compounds. Our study on the biodistribution of [191Pt]FGC-Pt is expected to contribute to the development of novel platinum-based drugs in the future.

Signal-background separation and energy reconstruction of gamma rays using pattern spectra and convolutional neural networks for the Small-Sized Telescopes of the Cherenkov Telescope Array

Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) detect very-high-energy gamma rays from ground level by capturing the Cherenkov light of the induced particle showers. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can be trained on IACT camera images of such events to differentiate the signal from the background and to reconstruct the energy of the initial gamma ray. Pattern spectra provide a 2-dimensional histogram of the sizes and shapes of features comprising an image and they can be used as an input for a CNN to significantly reduce the computational power required to train it. In this work, we generate pattern spectra from simulated gamma-ray and proton images to train a CNN for signal-background separation and energy reconstruction for the Small-Sized Telescopes (SSTs) of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). A comparison of our results with a CNN directly trained on CTA images shows that the pattern spectra-based analysis is about a factor of three less computationally expensive but not able to compete with the performance of an CTA image-based analysis. Thus, we conclude that the CTA images must be comprised of additional information not represented by the pattern spectra.

Multiwavelength observations of the lensed quasar PKS 1830-211 during the 2019 γ-ray flare

ABSTRACT PKS 1830 -211 is a γ-ray emitting, high-redshift (z =2.507 ± 0.002), lensed flat-spectrum radio quasar. During the period 2019 mid-February to mid-April, this source underwent a series of strong γ-ray flares that were detected by both AGILE-GRID (Gamma-Ray Imaging Detector) and Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT), reaching a maximum γ-ray flux of $F_{\rm E\gt 100\, MeV}\approx 2.3\times 10^{-5}$ photons cm−2 s−1. Here, we report on a coordinated campaign from both on-ground [Medicina, Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO), Rapid Eye Mount (REM), and Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT)] and orbiting facilities (AGILE, Fermi, INTEGRAL, NuSTAR, Swift, and Chandra), with the aim of investigating the multiwavelength properties of PKS 1830-211 through nearly simultaneous observations presented here for the first time. We find a possible break in the radio spectra in different epochs above 15 GHz, and a clear maximum of the 15 GHz data approximately 110 d after the γ-ray main activity periods. The spectral energy distribution shows a very pronounced Compton dominance (&amp;gt; 200) which challenges the canonical one-component emission model. Therefore, we propose that the cooled electrons of the first component are re-accelerated to a second component by, for example, kink or tearing instability during the γ-ray flaring periods. We also note that PKS 1830-211 could be a promising candidate for future observations with both Compton satellites [e.g. enhanced ASTROGAM (e-ASTROGAM)] and Cherenkov arrays [Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO)] which will help, thanks to their improved sensitivity, in extending the data availability in energy bands currently uncovered.

A Portable Three-Layer Compton Camera for Wide-Energy-Range Gamma-ray Imaging: Design, Simulation and Preliminary Testing

(1) Background: The imaging energy range of a typical Compton camera is limited due to the fact that scattered gamma photons are seldom fully absorbed when the incident energies are above 3 MeV. Further improving the upper energy limit of gamma-ray imaging has important application significance in the active interrogation of special nuclear materials and chemical warfare agents, as well as range verification of proton therapy. (2) Methods: To realize gamma-ray imaging in a wide energy range of 0.3~7 MeV, a principle prototype, named a portable three-layer Compton camera, is developed using the scintillation detector that consists of an silicon photomultiplier array coupled with a Gd3Al2Ga3O12:Ce pixelated scintillator array. Implemented in a list-mode maximum likelihood expectation maximization algorithm, a far-field energy-domain imaging method based on the two interaction events is applied to estimate the initial energy and spatial distribution of gamma-ray sources. The simulation model of the detectors is established based on the Monte Carlo simulation toolkit Geant4. The reconstructed images of a 133Ba, a 137Cs and a 60Co point-like sources have been successfully obtained with our prototype in laboratory tests and compared with simulation studies. (3) Results: The proportion of effective imaging events accounts for about 2%, which allows our prototype to realize the reconstruction of the distribution of a 0.05 μSv/h 137Cs source in 10 s. The angular resolution for resolving two 137Cs point-like sources is 15°. Additional simulated imaging of the 6.13 MeV gamma-rays from 14.1 MeV neutron scattering with water preliminarily demonstrates the imaging capability for high incident energy. (4) Conclusions: We conclude that the prototype has a good imaging performance in a wide energy range (0.3~7 MeV), which shows potential in several MeV gamma-ray imaging applications.

Radioactivity estimation of multiple radiation sources using a Compton camera to investigate radioactively contaminated objects

Radioactive substances released during the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) were deposited on various equipment and building structures. During decommissioning, an investigation of the radioactive substances deposited inside the contaminated equipment and structures can provide information regarding the cause and progression of the accident. This study introduces a quantitative evaluation method for the amount of radioactivity. In this method, a Compton camera, a type of gamma-ray imager, is used to investigate the deposition and contamination level of radioactive substances on contaminated objects. Multiple 137Cs radiation sources with different radioactivities were placed horizontally in one dimension within the field of view of the Compton camera, and a proof-of-principle study was conducted to evaluate the amount of radioactivity of each source quantitatively.

Coded-Aperture imaging based on random code and Backpropagation neural network

Coded-aperture radiation imaging technology has important application value in the field of space radiation detection. A coded-aperture imaging algorithm based on random code and Backpropagation neural network (BPNN) is proposed for high quality imaging of x-rays and gamma rays in space environments. The experimental results show that BPNN can improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image when applied to the reconstruction process of coded-aperture imaging based on random code. Therefore, it has a good application prospect in the field of space coded-aperture imaging.

Monte Carlo and experimental evaluation of a Timepix4 compact gamma camera for coded aperture nuclear medicine imaging with depth resolution

PurposeWe designed a prototype compact gamma camera (MediPROBE4) for nuclear medicine tasks, including radio-guided surgery and sentinel lymph node imaging with a 99mTc radiotracer. We performed Monte Carlo (MC) simulations for image performance assessment, and first spectroscopic imaging tests with a 300 μm thick silicon detector. MethodsThe hand-held camera (1 kg weight) is based on a Timepix4 readout circuit for photon-counting, energy-sensitive, hybrid pixel detectors (24.6 × 28.2 mm2 sensitive area, 55 μm pixel pitch), developed by the Medipix4 Collaboration. The camera design adopts a CdTe detector (1 or 2 mm thick) bump-bonded to a Timepix4 readout chip and a coded aperture collimator with 0.25 mm diameter round holes made of 3D printed 1-mm thick tungsten. Image reconstruction is performed via autocorrelation deconvolution. ResultsGeant4 MC simulations showed that, for a 99mTc source in air, at 50 mm source-collimator distance, the estimated collimator sensitivity (4 × 10−4) is 292 times larger than that of a single hole in the mask; the system sensitivity is 0.22 cps/kBq (2 mm CdTe); the lateral spatial resolution is 1.7 mm FWHM. The estimated axial longitudinal resolution is 8.2 mm FWHM at 40 mm distance. First experimental tests with a 300 μm thick Silicon pixel detector bump-bonded to a Timepix4 chip and a high-resolution coded aperture collimator showed time-over-threshold and time-of-arrival capabilities with 241Am and 133Ba gamma-ray sources. ConclusionsMC simulations and validation lab tests showed the expected performance of the MediPROBE4 compact gamma camera for gamma-ray 3D imaging.

Evidence for a gamma-ray molecular target in the enigmatic PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157

Context. Peta-eV (PeV) astronomy emerged in 2021 with the discovery of ultra-high-energy gamma-ray sources associated with powerful natural particle accelerators known as PeVatrons. In order to determine the nature of their emission, namely whether it has a hadronic or leptonic origin, it is essential to characterise the physical parameters of the environment where it originates. Aims. We unambiguously confirm the association of molecular gas with the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157 using unprecedented high angular-resolution (17″) 12, 13CO(J = 1 → 0) observations carried out with the Nobeyama 45m radio telescope. Methods. We characterised a molecular cloud in the vicinity of the PeVatron candidate LHAASO J2108+5157 by determining its physical parameters from our 12, 13CO(J = 1 → 0) line observations. We used an updated estimation of the distance to the cloud, which provided a more reliable result. The molecular emission was compared with excess gamma-ray images obtained with Fermi-LAT at energies above 2 GeV to search for spatial correlations and test a possible hadronic (π0 decay) origin for the gamma-ray emission. Results. We find that the morphology of the spatial distribution of the CO emission is strikingly similar to that of the Fermi-LAT excess gamma ray. By combining our observations with archival 21 cm HI line data, the nucleons (HI + H2) number density of the target molecular cloud is found to be 133.0 ± 45.0 cm−3, for the measured angular size of 0.55 ± 0.02° at a distance of 1.6 ± 0.1 kpc. The resulting total mass of the cloud is M(HI + H2) = 7.5±2.9×103 M⊙. Under a hadronic scenario, we obtain a total energy of protons of Wp = 4.3 ± 1.5 × 1046 erg with a cutoff of 700±300 TeV, which reproduces the sub-PeV gamma-ray emission. Conclusions. We identified a molecular cloud in the vicinity of LHAASO J2107+5157 as the main target where cosmic rays from an unknown PeVatron produce the observed gamma-ray emission via π0 decay.

Detecting and characterizing special nuclear material for nuclear nonproliferation applications

There is an urgent need for new, better instrumentation and techniques for detecting and characterizing special nuclear material (SNM), i.e., highly enriched uranium and plutonium. The development of improved instruments and techniques requires experiments performed with the SNM itself, which is of limited availability. This paper describes the findings of experiments performed at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center conducted using new instruments and techniques on unclassified, kg-quantity SNM objects. These experiments, performed in the framework of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Consortium for Monitoring, Technology, and Verification, focused on detecting, characterizing, and localizing SNM samples with masses ranging from 3.3 to 13.8 kg, including plutonium and highly enriched uranium using prototype detectors and techniques. The work demonstrates SNM detection and characterization using recently-developed prototype detection systems. Specifically, we present new results in passive detection and imaging of plutonium and uranium objects using gamma-ray and dual particle (fast neutron and gamma-ray) imaging. We also present a new analysis of the delayed neutron emissions during active interrogation of uranium using a neutron generator.

Simulation design and performance evaluation of the wide-energy range gamma-ray imaging detectors

康普顿成像是直观感知核辐射的探测技术之一, 但因受限于探测器体积和成像事例的类型, 能量范围通常为0.3~3 MeV, 难以在对天然核素γ成像的基础上同时兼顾能量分布在3~7 MeV的瞬发γ成像应用. 覆盖0.3~7 MeV范围的宽能域γ成像是扩展核辐射探测与成像应用领域的重要发展方向之一, 基于两次散射的三层探测器结构是一种极具潜力的实现方案, 其中探测器的设计与构建是该方案的基础与关键核心. 考虑系统成本和扩展灵活性等因素, 本文选用硅光电倍增管(SiPM)阵列和钆镓铝石榴石(GAGG:Ce)阵列作为探测器材料. 根据三层探测器的成像事例要求, 分析每层探测器内的作用事例类型特征; 并基于Geant4蒙特卡罗模拟平台构建包含材料光学参数的仿真模型, 通过设置物理过程与两种信息提取方式, 对比研究了不同几何参数情形下的探测器位置散点图和探测器内作用事例类型统计结果. 根据仿真设计, 制备了由像素数为15×15, 像素大小为3.2×3.2 mm², 厚度分别为3 mm和10 mm的GAGG阵列和1.25 mm厚度光导组成的两种规格SiPM探测器模块, 并基于电子学读出系统评估了探测器模块的性能. 结果表明, 3 mm厚度的散射探测器与10 mm厚度的吸收探测器均可清晰分辨15×15像素上的作用位置, 平均峰谷比分别为9.77和11.85; 全部像素的662 keV平均能量分辨率分别可达7.21%和8.35%, 具有较好的位置与能量分辨能力. 本文所建立的仿真模型, 分析结果以及所研制的探测器模块, 为三层探测器系统构建提供了重要依据, 并为实现宽能域γ成像奠定了科学技术基础.

Improvement of double photon emission Compton imaging using angular and polarization correlations in cascade photons

A Compton camera is a gamma ray imaging system that produces images by superposing Compton cones calculated from Compton kinematics. However, the reconstructed images exhibit a high background. In this study, the angular correlation and polarization correlation were used to decrease the background. 111In, which emits 171 keV and 245 keV cascade gamma rays, was imaged using Compton camera modules in the ring structure. The 3D list-mode ordered subset expectation maximization method was used to reconstruct the images. Probability modeling of events reflecting angular and polarization correlations was applied to the image-reconstruction algorithm. The results were compared with those of a typical Compton camera method using only 245 keV Compton cones. The sensitivity of the proposed method was 1.03% of that of the typical method. However, compared to the typical method, the application of angular and polarization correlations improved the signal-to-background ratio. The proposed method is expected to be useful in capturing low-background images wherein a ring-type Compton camera and cascade photon-emitting nuclides can be used.

Design and Implementation of an Intelligent Searching Robot for Radioactive Sources Based on Edge Computing

In recent years, the worldwide nuclear industry has developed vigorously. At the same time, incidents of radioactive source loss have also occurred frequently. At present, most of the search for radioactive sources uses manual search, which is inefficient and the search personnel are vulnerable to radiation damage. Sending the robot into the area where the uncontrolled radioactive source may be located for search is different. Not only the efficiency can be improved, but the personnel are also prevented from being exposed to radiation. Therefore, designing a radioactive source search robot has great practical significance. This paper mainly introduces the design and implementation of an intelligent search robot for radioactive sources based on edge computing, and intends to provide some ideas and directions for the research of intelligent robots for searching for radioactive sources. This paper proposes a research method for the design and implementation of a radioactive source intelligent search robot based on edge computing, including intelligent edge computing and gamma ray imaging algorithms, which are used to carry out related experiments on the design and implementation of a radioactive source intelligent search robot based on edge computing. The experimental results in this paper show that the average resolution of the radioactive source search robot is 90.55%, and the resolution results are more prominent.