Project Gatekeeper: An Entrance Control System Embedded Radiation Detection Capability for Security Applications.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Security
• Radiation Detection Technology
• Applied Physics

Background:

• Growing concerns exist regarding terrorist acquisition of radiological dispersal devices and improvised nuclear explosive devices.
• Existing radiation detection infrastructure can be costly, bulky, and conspicuous, limiting widespread covert deployment.
• Law enforcement actions and intelligence reports indicate persistent attempts to acquire radioactive materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a cost-effective, compact, and covert radiation detection system for personal transport of radioactive materials.
• To integrate the detection system into existing security infrastructure, specifically the Gunnebo Speed Gate.
• To maintain adequate sensitivity for threat detection while enabling source localization and identification.

Main Methods:

• Designed a system comprising six offset Geiger-Muller detectors and one scintillator detector for spectroscopy.
• Integrated the detectors with the Gunnebo Speed Gate, utilizing its existing IR proximity sensor for triggering.
• Configured the detector array to facilitate cost reduction, source localization, and material identification.

Main Results:

• The developed system successfully detected a 1 µSv/h radioactive source in all test scenarios.
• The system demonstrated the capability for real-time source localization within the Speed Gate.
• Spectral analysis of the radioactive material was achieved in a significant number of tests.

Conclusions:

• The retrofittable, low-cost radiation detection system offers a viable solution for covert screening of individuals.
• The integrated Geiger-Muller and scintillator detector array provides both detection and characterization capabilities.
• This technology enhances security by improving the ability to identify and locate illicit radioactive materials at checkpoints.