Smart radiation monitor for airport baggage screening

摘要

This work presents specially designed radiation monitoring system for baggage screening at airports and border crossing points for the presence of radioactive and Special Nuclear Materials (SNM). Border monitoring equipment plays a key role in combating illicit trafficking. The conveyor monitor is designed to meet the detection level determined by the standard for Radiation Portal Monitors (RPM). The obtained sensitivity results of the system and an analytical analysis of the implemented algorithms contributing to the detection performances are presented. The system consists of highly sensitive gamma and neutron detectors, electronic data-processing unit, computer interface and unique algorithms. The system's electronic unit interfaces with the conveyor control system using two signals, an input signal for the conveyor operation status and an output signal for stopping the conveyor in case of alarm. This interface and the implemented algorithm reduce the number of false alarms and improve the detection level by considering the background variation. Further significant improvement in the detection level is achieved by implementing an advanced algorithm based on the detector reading profile versus time. The online computer software provides the user with friendly interface for retrieving the archived data and analyzing the history of alarms.