Radiation Detection

Radiation Detection units can be used to search for, detect, and locate radioactive and nuclear materials in a variety of situations. To reduce both the possibility of terrorist acts using such materials and the illicit transportation of these materials across borders.

Any attempt to illegally transport nuclear materials, such as Uranium and Plutonium, are of particular concern. A small amount of these materials may not be sufficient to make a nuclear weapon but could be enough to make a "dirty" bomb. A terrorist act using such a weapon would have catastrophic effects.

A dirty bomb, also known as a radiological weapon, is a conventional explosive such as dynamite packaged with radioactive material that scatters when the bomb goes off. A dirty bomb kills or injures through the initial blast of the conventional explosive and by airborne radiation and contamination hence the term dirty. Such bombs could be miniature devices or as big as a truck bomb.

Checkpoints for passenger (Passenger Portal Scanners) and vehicle (Vehicle Portal Scanners) can be deployed at border crossings and entry points to sensitive sites/areas.

In many cases, the gamma units can detect the materials due to the gamma radiation. However, the gamma radiation can easily be shielded by materials such as lead, which significantly reduces the probability of detecting the source materials.

Typical applications include: uranium enrichment plants, weapons manufacturing plants, weapon storage sites, nuclear plants and laboratories, nuclear storage and disposal sites, airports, custom controls, hospitals and industry, etc.