2020-2022 / Archived Project

Project leader: Paul Greenlees 

Detector systems currently used for environmental surveillance and radiation safety often rely on rather rudimentary and simple radiation detection techniques. In most applications only one type of radiation is measured and usually in singles mode with simple one-dimensional histogram analysis. The main goals of the projects carried out under the RADSAFE are to bring state-of-the-art detection technologies and multi-parameter data-acquisition techniques to routine use in safety, security and safeguards (3S) applications. The projects are carried out in a close collaboration of STUK and the University of Jyväskylä. A major part of the RADSAFE program is carried out within the framework of the RADICAL project.

The main goal of the RADICAL project is to improve STUK’s laboratory detection capabilities by implementing state-of-the-art techniques and methods typically used in experimental nuclear physics research. The main themes associated with the RADICAL project are: multi-detector setups and coincidence techniques, Monte-Carlo simulations, multi-parameter digital data acquisition systems, standardized list-mode data format and tailor-made data sorting and analysis algorithms. Existing measurement setups will be upgraded and improved and new measurement setups will be constructed during the project. Research will be carried out in both Helsinki (STUK) and Jyväskylä (JYU).

In 2019 the project was extended to include investigation and development of application-specific detectors for full-body counting. Preliminary work includes the simulation of optimized detection geometries and benchmarking the simulations with data from real-world measurements. After the initial phase prototype detectors will be procured and tested.