RadSearch is a device for measuring and quantifying radiation in the environment. RadSearch is capable of searching for, locating and quantifying radioactivity distributed on surfaces, within equipment and in pipe work and determining radiation dose in the environment. It consists of a detection head with a combined lanthanum bromide (LaBr₃) scintillation detector and photomultiplier, video camera and distance measuring laser range-finder system. The RadSearch detector is mounted on a pan and tilt unit and a tripod to enable automated scanning of surfaces. It is particularly applicable to decommissioning and nuclear cleanup activities.
RadSearch is a medium resolution gamma camera designed for locating and quantifying radioactive sources and contamination.
RadSearch is readily transportable and is normally operated from a tripod, to which the internal pan and tilt mechanism is mounted. It can be unpacked from the transport case and deployed in less than ten minutes.
Alternatively, the detector head may be mounted on other devices, such as mobile carts. This enables the RadSearch to be deployed remotely into areas of high radiation background. RadSearch can contribute to reducing the exposure of operators to radioactive sources in decommissioning and radioactive cleanup operations.
RadSearch employs an one-inch lanthanum bromide scintillation detector that provides the advantages of medium range resolution, high sensitivity and wide dose rate range. The lanthanum bromide detector is mounted in a tungsten shield with a small aperture tungsten collimator.
All of the detection, motion control and analysis electronics are located in the detector head. The external components consist only of a power supply unit, which provides low voltage DC to the detector head, and a notebook computer on which the control and data analysis software is located. A single combined power and Ethernet cable links the detector head to the external electronics.