Development and characterization of a portable multifunction radiation detector for radiological emergency preparedness

After the release of radioactive material in the form of radioactive plume from a nuclear power plant (NPP) due to an accident, radioactive plume disperses in the air depending on meteorological factors. During such a dispersion, radionuclides from the plume fall onto the ground. The paramount goal of radiological emergency preparedness is to avoid or—if avoidance is infeasible—minimize exposure of residents to radiation by taking adequate measures for their protection. Tracking the behavior of the radioactive plume and obtaining information on radionuclides deposited on the soil in real time to protect residents around the NPP is necessary. Accordingly, a portable multifunction radiation detector was developed in this study. The significant features of the radiation detector are that it can distinguish and measure gamma radiations incident from below and above the radiation detector separately. In addition, it can distinguish between fast neutrons and gamma radiation in a mixed radiation field. Performance tests revealed that our radiation detector works well as designed.