Dual Mode Radiation Sensor for UAS Platforms

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

11-14-2019

Publication Title

Proceedings of 6th International Electronic Conference on Sensors and Applications

Publisher

American Nuclear Society (ANS), the Atomic Energy Society of Japan (AESJ), the Korea Nuclear Society (KNS), the French Nuclear Society (SFEN)

Volume

42

Issue

1

First page number:

37

Last page number:

42

Abstract

Remote sensing technologies are important for radiation safety and environmental security applications. A dual-mode Cs2LiYCl6:Ce3+ (CLYC) sensor was developed for simultaneous neutron measurements and gamma-ray spectroscopy. To keep users away from hazardous areas, an unmanned aerial system was used as a mobile sensor platform. The sensor was integrated into a multicopter platform as a ‘plug and fly’ component allowing deployment in the field conditions. The photon energy resolution of the CLYC sensor was measured as less than 5% at 662 keV. The detection of neutrons was achieved via 6Li(n,α)t reaction. The sensor’s signal communication and data fusion were programmed using robot operating system framework, as well as on-board signal analysis functions including the neutron-photon pulse shape discrimination and the identification of photo peaks in the gamma spectrum. These data with added real-time kinematic GPS and time stamps were reported to the user enabling real time awareness of the monitored area, further analysis in temporal and spatial domains, and radiation mapping and source search tasks.

Keywords

Radiation Sensor; Dual Mode; Neutrons; Gamma Rays; Unmanned Aerial System

Disciplines

Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

Language

English

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