Effective interdiction of illicit radioactive material requires detection algorithms that are sensitive to material of interest while insensitive to material of no interest. Injection studies are used to assess the detection sensitivities to threat scenarios by various detection algorithms. In injection studies, gamma-ray spectra for varying source strengths representing particular radioisotopes and shielding configurations are added to archived vehicle count time-profiles. Observed alarm rates are calculated and analyzed to address experimental questions. Numerous decisions need to be made about configuring injection studies, including two important methodological factors that emulate actual field conditions: point-source position and temporal shape. Understanding the relative impact of different methods on outcome measures is vital for comparing results of injection studies.
Revised: February 5, 2009 |
Published: August 11, 2008
Citation
Weier D.R., C.A. Lopresti, and D.J. Bates. 2008.Impact of Point-Source Injection Methodologies on Injection Studies.Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment 593, no. 3:550-561.PNNL-SA-57076.doi:10.1016/j.nima.2008.05.005