Abstract
Models for radiation transport in simple geometries are developed, with an emphasis on self-shielding and distributed sources. Three mechanisms for gamma ray attenuation—photoelectric, Compton, and pair production, are described. Some end-to-end calculations are shown for the estimated count rates with realistic sources and detectors. The impact of background radiation in potentially masking a source from detection is explored. Radiation background sources in the ground and air are described, with particular emphasis on the uranium and thorium decay chains, with tables of the characteristic gamma-ray lines given. Cosmogenic radiation is also explored, along with neutron backgrounds. Next, the impact of naturally occuring radioactive material (NORM) and technologically enhanced NORM (TENORM) are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aucott TJ, Bandstra MS, Negut V, Chivers DH, Cooper RJ, Vetter K (2013) Routine surveys for gamma-ray background characterization. IEEE Trans Nucl Sci 60:1147–1150. doi:10.1109/TNS.2013.2251355
Kouzes RT, Siciliano ER (2006) The response of radiation portal monitors to medical radionuclides at border crossings. Radiat Meas 41(5):499–512. doi:10.1016/j.radmeas.2005.10.005. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350448705002775
Sefzig R, Saha B, Stoppa G (2009) Co-60 contaminated stainless steel in Gemany - experiences and first steps. In: International Conference on Control and Management of Inadvertent Radioactive Material in Scrap Metal. http://www-ns.iaea.org/downloads/rw/meetings/tarragona2009/presentations-thursday/b-saha.pdf. Accessed 18 Dec 2014
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: oil and gas production wastes. http://www.epa.gov/radiation/tenorm/oilandgas.html. Accessed 16 Dec 2014
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: what kinds of consumer products contain radioactive materials? http://radiation.supportportal.com/link/portal/23002/23013/Article/23245/What-kinds-of-consumer-products-contain-radioactive-materials. Accessed 16 Dec 2014
World Nuclear Association: radioisotopes in medicine. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/non-power-nuclear-applications/radioisotopes/radioisotopes-in-medicine/. Accessed 16 Dec 2014
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Morse, E.C. (2016). Signatures and Background. In: Analytical Methods for Nonproliferation. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29731-6_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29731-6_3
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-29729-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-29731-6
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)