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PVT Analysis With A Deconvolution Algorithm

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1018154· OSTI ID:1018154

Polyvinyl Toluene (PVT) plastic scintillator is the most common gamma ray detector material used for large systems when only gross counting is needed because of its low cost, robustness, and relative sensitivity. PVT does provide some energy information about the incident photons, as has been demonstrated through the development of Energy Windowing analysis. There is a more sophisticated energy analysis algorithm developed by Symetrica, Inc., and they have demonstrated the application of their deconvolution algorithm to PVT with very promising results. The thrust of such a deconvolution algorithm used with PVT is to allow for identification and rejection of naturally occurring radioactive material, reducing alarm rates, rather than the complete identification of all radionuclides, which is the goal of spectroscopic portal monitors. Under this condition, there could be a significant increase in sensitivity to threat materials. The advantage of this approach is an enhancement to the low cost, robust detection capability of PVT-based radiation portal monitor systems. The success of this method could provide an inexpensive upgrade path for a large number of deployed PVT-based systems to provide significantly improved capability at a much lower cost than deployment of NaI(Tl)-based systems of comparable sensitivity.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1018154
Report Number(s):
PNNL-20444
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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