A 3D Dual-Particle Imaging Algorithm for Multiple Imagers

Abstract

The ability to localize and image radiation sources has found use in various applications for nuclear nonproliferation practices, specifically in treaty verification, nuclear safeguards, and homeland security. Technologies that are capable of angular radiation imaging have been prevalent for years and, recently, 3D imaging technologies making use of emerging media like mixed reality have been rapidly developing and gaining popularity. Modern imaging techniques typically use a Compton camera to record coincident events and reconstruct the incident directional information of a gamma ray-emitting radiation source. However, Compton cameras are limited as they cannot obtain accurate source depth information when used for simple back projection imaging. Neutron scatter cameras are a complementary imaging technique that use double elastic scatters but also have their own limitations. This work presents a framework for multiple scatter-based particle imagers to construct 3D images and to localize a radiation source using gamma rays or fast neutrons. Specifically, localization is achieved by accounting for the position of the imagers. The imaging algorithm was validated using experimental data, measuring a 252Cf source. A three-dimensional representation of the imaging data provides a more intuitive and informative depiction of source positions and can aid in scenarios with complex environmental geometries such as when sources are in containers.

Keywords

• radiation imaging
• fast-neutron imaging
• gamma ray imaging
• Compton cameras
• 3D imaging