ARI-MA: Advanced Concepts in Gamma-Ray Imaging for Homeland Security

1039342Vetter本提案的目标是建立一个计划，通过使用从能谱伽马射线成像仪器、视觉传感器和背景测量获得的补充信息来开发和演示增强的检测和表征方案。通过将这些模式和数据结合起来，有可能大大提高探测、识别和定位核材料的灵敏度，并将潜在威胁源与合法和自然来源以及相关的时间和空间波动区分开来。它使放射源能够定位并映射到三维物体上。这种方法的一个新的和重要的扩展是基于对先验获得的背景信息的集成。我们建议从最近展示的SORDS系统中获取广泛的背景数据，这些数据将投入使用，并将使我们能够开发改进的检测算法。智能优点：伽马射线成像是生物医学应用、核医学和天体物理学中的一种成熟工具。然而，最近实现了对国土安全应用的影响，通过提供定位功能和区分威胁源与背景及其相关的空间和时间波动的能力，使敏感度比非成像系统大幅提高。目前正在测试由大面积编码孔径伽马射线成像仪和摄像机组成的系统，以便能够定位潜在威胁物体。我们的建议在几个方面超越了最先进的水平：1)通过开发更先进的伽马射线编码方案并使用加州大学伯克利分校提供的探测器阵列进行演示，增强伽马射线成像能力。2.)使用目前正在演示的SORDS系统之一测量和评估背景数据。对与国土安全有关的地点的背景进行详细测量和表征，是提高探测潜在威胁来源和区分背景的能力的一个非常重要的组成部分。3.)建立计算机建模工具，评估不同的成像方式以及视觉图像和背景等补充信息的整合。这一框架将与发展辐射探测先进概念的持续努力密切结合起来。拟议的计划利用了加州大学伯克利分校和LBNL提供的独特专业知识和能力。它将补充伯克利目前正在进行的努力，并将与现有的项目密切结合，包括交换学生和科学家。拟议中的计划是向大学和地理位置较近的国家实验室的学生介绍现代研究的极好工具。它将通过结合世界一流大学和国家实验室，补充我们在先进辐射探测领域的研究和教育框架。与核威胁探测的关系伽马射线成像中的先进概念与其他模式相结合，有可能显著提高核材料探测的灵敏度，特别是在具有较强的合法和自然背景源以及相关的时间和空间波动的情况下，特别是在具有微弱威胁源的情况下，目前国土安全特别关注这些情况。拟议的工作将增强陆地、海洋和空中的探测能力。广泛影响这里提出的先进伽马射线探测和成像概念不仅将显著提高国土安全部探测和识别弱放射性材料的能力，而且还将增强其他国家核安全领域的能力，如核不扩散和国外，如国防相关的核探测。此外，在基础研究中的应用，如天体物理学，将受益于改进的成像能力。在生物医学成像方面，无论是用于药物开发的小动物成像，还是用于改善癌症早期检测和癌症治疗的核医学，都将从拟议的研究中受益。

1039342VetterThe objective of this proposal is to establish a program to develop and demonstrate enhanced detection and characterization schemes by using complementary information obtained from spectroscopic gamma-ray imaging instruments, visual sensors, and background measurements. By combining these modalities and data it is possible to significantly increase the sensitivity in detecting, identifying, and locating nuclear materials and to distinguish potential threat sources from legitimate and natural sources and associated temporal and spatial fluctuations. It enables the localization and mapping of radioactive sources onto objects in three dimensions. A new and important extension of this approach is based on the integration of background information that was obtained a priori. We propose to obtain extensive background data from recently demonstrated SORDS systems that will be made available and will allow us to develop improved detection algorithms.Intellectual Merit:Gamma-ray imaging is an established tool in biomedical applications, nuclear medicine, and astrophysics. However, recently the impact for homeland security applications was realized enabling a substantial increase in sensitivity over non-imaging systems by providing localization capabilities and the ability to distinguish a threat source from background and its associated spatial and temporal fluctuations. Systems are currently being tested consisting of large-area coded aperture gamma-ray imaging instruments and video cameras enabling the localization of potential threat objects. Our proposal goes beyond the state-of-the art in several ways: 1.) Enhance gamma-ray imaging capabilities by developing more advanced gamma-ray coding schemes and demonstrating them with detector arrays that are available at UC Berkeley. 2.) Measure and evaluate background data with one of the SORDS systems that are currently being demonstrated. The detailed measurement and characterization of backgrounds in locations that are relevant for homeland security is a very important component in improving the capability of detecting potential threat sources and distinguishing from background. 3.) Establish computermodeling tools and evaluate different imaging modalities and the integration of complementary information such as visual images and background. Such a framework will be closely coupled to ongoing efforts in developing advanced concepts in radiation detection. The proposed program draws upon unique expertise and capabilities provided at UC Berkeley and LBNL. It will complement currently ongoing efforts in Berkeley and will be closely aligned to existing programs including the exchange of students and scientists. The proposed program is an excellent vehicle for introducing students to modern research at universities and at closely located national laboratories. It will complement our framework for research and education in the area of advanced radiation detection by combining world-premier universities and national laboratories.Relation to Nuclear Threat DetectionAdvanced concepts in gamma-ray imaging in combination with other modalities provide the potential to significantly increase the sensitivity in the detection of nuclear materials, particularly in scenarios characterized by weak threat sources in the midst of stronger legitimate and natural background sources and associated temporal and spatial fluctuations, scenarios which are currently of particular concern for Homeland Security. The proposed work will enhance detection capabilities on land and sea as well as in air.Broader ImpactAdvanced gamma-ray detection and imaging concepts as proposed here will not only significantly improve the ability to detect and identify weak radioactive materials for Homeland Security but will also enhance capabilities in other national nuclear security related fields such as nuclear non-proliferation and abroad, e.g. for defense related nuclear detection. In addition, applications in basic research such as astrophysics will benefit from the improved imaging capabilities. In biomedical imaging, whether small-animal imaging for drug development or nuclear medicine to improve early cancer detection and cancer treatment will benefit from the proposed research.