Portable LN2 gamma-ray spectrometer system

Abstract The purpose of this program is to design and demonstrate a highly sensitive, portable spectrometer for detecting and identifying trace amounts of nuclear materials in a broad range of nonproliferation scenarios. A high-efficiency 100% n-type germanium (Ge) detector is combined with a special liquid nitrogen dewar designed to accommodate an active Compton suppression shield. The added collimation capability is required in order to be able to identify localized sources that may be obscured by background radiation. These components are complemented by the addition of a newly developed state-of-the-art multichannel analyzer (MCA) capable of 64×16 000 channel acquisition and electronic Compton suppression. The entire system fits into a watertight case that could be stored below the seat of commercial airliners. The unit has 2.74 keV resolution at 1.33 MeV, 8.5° angular resolution, low-power, >25 h full-time battery life, and operations between 35 keV E