The University of Jyväskylä (Finland), in collaboration with the Finnish Nuclear Safety and Radiation Authority (STUK), has developed a new type of hand multipurpose radiation detector that thoroughly detects all types of ionizing radiation. The device can be used by users of industrial and medical radiation, regulatory authorities, the nuclear energy industry, lifeguards and military users. Technology has been patented and is currently being explored for marketing.
The developed multipurpose radiation detector can be compared to the Swiss razor, which includes a wide range of tools for many different uses in a small package.
“The detector has versatile measurement capabilities,” says main advisor Kari Peräjärvi of the Finnish Nuclear Safety and Radiation Authority (Stuk), who is also a practice teacher in the field of radiation security research at the University of Jyväskylä. “It allows the generation of integral situational awareness in an unknown situation very quickly, which improves security. The small size and possibility of several radiation measurements facilitate work in the field, especially when it is not necessary to carry several different detectors.”
The detector measures all types of ionizing radiation
Ionizing radiation is a higher energy radiation that has enough energy to break an electron directly or indirectly away from an atom. There are four types of ionizing radiation: alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, beta radiation composed of electrons or positrons, electromagnetic radiographs and gamma rays, and neutron radiation. The new detector detects all these types of radiation.
“The ability to determine alpha and beta radiation allows the measurement of radioactive pollution in a variety of surfaces,” explains doctoral researcher Ville Bogdanoff at the University of Jyväskylä. “It can be used to detect leaks of leakage or liquid radioactive substances dotted on surfaces. For example, it is possible to verify cleaning samples in field conditions.”
In the case of highly penetrating gamma rays, the device is capable of detecting and directionally detecting the gamma ray emitting material. The directional detection capacity is a completely new feature for detectors of this size. Directional sensitivity is particularly useful in unknown situations, during authority inspections or to detect contraband attempts from radioactive sources. In addition, the detector can detect the presence of non -charged neutrons directly and indirectly.
“You need the possibility of measuring neutron radiation to detect nuclear material containing plutonium,” says Bogdanoff. “It will also allow a more precise characterization of neutron sources.”
Five detectors in a single small and light package
The multiple use detector uses Multicapa and Integrated Digital Electronics Technology. Phhoswich technology combines several different types of optically sparking materials together. Each sparking layer acts as an independent radiation detector
“The detector consists of five different types and thicknesses of sparkling layers in a defined order with precision,” says Bogdanoff. “This means that the multipurpose detector has five radiation detectors in a package.”
Phhoswich technology also allows the use of simpler electronic products. This makes it possible for the detector to be very compact in size.
“The prototype version of the detector weighs less than two kilograms,” says Peräjärvi. “I could even lighten and reduce in size, for example, changing a silicon photomultiplier.”
New technology to be patented and marketed
Phhoswich technology also allows a wide range of scalable and modular solutions for different applications. In the future, Mushich technology will be used for other types of radiation detectors, such as in the backpack type, backpack type, back -type portal systems, fixed or relocable radiation portal monitoring and aerial vehicles or crew or non -manned land.
“The University of Jyväskylä and the Finnish Nuclear Safety and Radiation Authority have already requested a patent for this technology,” says Peräjärvi. “The next step is to find commercial partners to market technology. Our broader objective is to develop a more versatile family of radiation detection instruments. Research and development will continue.”
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