ESR8 Overview: Development of a Next-Generation Gamma Imager JOSHUA HANDLEY (ESR#8) 2015 June CERN

M.Sc. Thesis Topic: “Radiological characterization of a Timepix-based, coded aperture gamma imager for far-field applications” The culmination of non-stop work for the past 6 months, totaling 137 pages Findings: The developed prototype system is performing remarkably well with the new algorithms and processing techniques The system is able to localize a 1.0 nSv/h source of 241 Am in just 7 seconds! For the 5.0 µSv/h – 5.0 Sv/h dose rate range, for all measurements performed (ISO N- Series X-rays, 241 Am, 133 Ba, 137 Cs), the system can localize the source with less than 1.0 sec of total acquired data! I’m READY for the defense on 1 st July!

Result: 1.0 nSv/h 241 Am, 10 sec acquisition Source is just the internals from a smoke detector!

Future Work / PhD The aperture patterns were identified as needing the most improvement on the system Validate the developed FLUKA model of the system and use it to determine improvements to the apertures and the detection techniques of the system Already have developed new aperture patterns that are twice as efficient and twice as unique as the existing apertures through autocorrelation studies The algorithms need some further refining to work with the new apertures and to implement some new heuristic techniques This all will be covered in the work of my PhD thesis

Measurements… Still need more radioactivity measurements Field measurements of real-world scenarios Need constant access to sources and experimental setups Any irradiator facilities available? X-Ray generators? Need access to the current technologies of MEDIPIX/Timepix

Questions?