Researchers at MIT and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a computational method for designing simplified and more cost-effective sensor setups to detect and monitor radioactive isotopes. Inspired by the game “Tetris,” the team found that using tetromino shapes of sensors could accurately pinpoint the direction of a distributed source of radiation without the need for complex and expensive detector arrays. By moving the sensor around to get multiple readings, researchers can also identify the physical location of the source.
Radiation is typically detected using semiconductor materials that produce an electrical response when struck by high-energy radiation, such as gamma rays. Traditional methods for determining the direction of radiation involve complex detector grids and masks that imprint patterns on the array to differentiate directions of the source. However, the MIT-LBNL team found that using as few as four pixels arranged in Tetris-inspired shapes could provide accurate directional readings within about 1 degree. This simplified approach is not only cost-effective but also more efficient in handling multiple radiation sources or widely spread sources.
The key to the success of the simplified sensor setups is placing an insulating material, such as lead, between the pixels to increase the contrast between radiation readings from different directions. The researchers found that less symmetrical arrangements of pixels provide more valuable information from a small array, making the system more effective in detecting and locating radiation sources. The team conducted field tests at Berkeley Lab with a cesium radiation source, demonstrating high accuracy in identifying the direction and distance to the source, highlighting the system’s practical applications in radiation mapping for safety in the nuclear industry.
The computational tools developed by the research team have broader applications beyond gamma-ray sources, as they can be used for detecting other forms of radiation, such as neutrons or ultraviolet light. This flexibility makes the simplified sensor setup a versatile tool for monitoring radioisotope release in various settings, from nuclear reactor operations to uranium mining and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. The team’s study, published in Nature Communications, provides a promising solution for enhancing radiation detection capabilities with cost-effective, streamlined sensor technologies.
The development of simplified sensor setups for detecting radiation sources is a significant step forward in addressing the need for effective and reliable monitoring of radioactive isotopes. The use of Tetris-inspired designs for sensors has proven to be a practical and efficient solution for pinpointing the direction and location of radiation sources, offering potential applications in various industries that require radiation monitoring. The research team’s findings contribute to advancing radiation detection technologies and enhancing safety measures in handling radioactive materials.