Real-time volumetric rendering of radiation fields using 3D textures

Abstract The remote maintenance of nuclear fusion facilities must be carefully planned and monitored due to the potential damage to equipment caused by the ionising radiation that results from neutron activation of facility components. We present a method for visualising three-dimensional radiation dose fields in real-time. An interactive volumetric representation is achieved using view-dependent parallel ray casting of a scalar field in three dimensions. This enhances the planning of remote handling operations by allowing motion paths to be better optimised for the minimisation of dose to vital components, prolonging the lifetime of remote handling equipment.