Pocket dual neutron/gamma radiation detector

A pocket radiation detection system has been developed at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory for homeland security applications. It can detect both neutrons and gamma rays instantaneously. This sensor has been designed with an emphasis on compactness, recognizing the widespread need for a radiation detection instrument that could provide both neutron and gamma-ray detection in a single, portable unit. It is very small, extremely sensitive, versatile, and easy to operate. It can detect gamma rays and neutrons in a radiation field as low as 10 μR/h above the ambient background, which makes it ideal for use in national security applications. The detection system is based on a technique of using a combination of two sensors made of lithium isotopes ⁶Li and ⁷Li. It operates on one rechargeable Li-ion battery and is small enough to be put in a pocket or clipped to a belt. In this paper, the detection technique used in developing this prototype sensor as well as its performance will be presented.