Gamma Ray and Neutron Sensors for Remote Monitoring Using Aerial Robotic Platforms

Authors

Alexander Barzilov, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Monia Kazemeini, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Woosoon Yim, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Joon Lee, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-19-2019

Publication Title

Sensors & Transducers

Volume

229

Issue

1

First page number:

47

Last page number:

54

Abstract

Remote radiation sensing technologies are essential for radiation safety and environmental security measures. The use of unmanned aerial systems equipped with gamma-ray and neutron sensors enables monitoring of ionizing radiation in hard to reach hazardous zones where the contamination is unknown. To keep personnel away from the radiation exposure by using remote measurement techniques, these sensors should be integrated into robotic platforms, and the analysis of sensor’s signals should be automated and carried out onboard. Two sensors were integrated into an octocopter aerial platform to address this need: a semiconductor Cadmium Zinc Telluride gamma-ray sensor and an elpasolite Cs2LiYCl6:Ce3+ scintillator based gamma/neutron sensor. To allow easy deployment in the field, both radiation sensors were designed as plug-and-play components using the Robot Operating System for onboard processing of the sensor’s data and for fusion of the processed data with the real time kinematic GPS information.

Keywords

Remote Sensing, Unmanned Aerial System, Gamma Spectroscopy, Neutrons, CZT, CLYC, Plug-and-Play Sensors

Disciplines

Engineering | Mechanical Engineering

Language

English

Repository Citation

Barzilov, A., Kazemeini, M., Yim, W., Lee, J. (2019). Gamma Ray and Neutron Sensors for Remote Monitoring Using Aerial Robotic Platforms. Sensors & Transducers, 229(1), 47-54.