PHDS Co.
Technical Notes

Application notes, methods, and third-party data.

Peer-reviewed test data, field methodologies, and application-specific guidance for HPGe gamma-ray measurements.

Type
Topic
Application Area
Third-Party Testing
Sandia National Lab: Fulcrum-40h and ORTEC Detective-X HPGe Performance Assessment (2022)
Sandia's NNSA-funded head-to-head found the Fulcrum-40h averages at least 20% higher gamma efficiency below 300 keV than the Detective-X, with comparable energy resolution.
External report
SafeguardsEmergency Response
Open report
Third-Party Testing
IAEA Technology Demonstration Workshop on Gamma Imaging: Final Report (2015)
The IAEA's 2015 gamma imaging workshop evaluated nine imaging systems for safeguards. The GeGI participated as a Compton and pinhole HPGe imager across eight source and nuclear material experiments.
External report
SafeguardsNon-Destructive Assay
Open report
Third-Party Testing
NNSA Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Sentinel: GeGI Development and Capability (2018)
NNSA's DNN Sentinel features the PHDS GeGI as a commercial success of the agency's High Rate Germanium Detector program, crediting NNSA-funded electronics for the fielded imager.
External report
Safeguards
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Spatially-Resolved HPGe Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy of Swipe Samples (PNNL, 2017)
PNNL characterized a high-rate GeGI-s for nuclear forensics, using its HPGe pixelization to generate isotope-specific spatial maps of swipe samples placed directly on the detector face.
External report
SafeguardsNon-Destructive Assay
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Sellafield Decommissioning Capability Development: Gamma Imaging Evaluation Selects GeGI (2016-17)
After demonstrating nine gamma imaging systems, Sellafield selected the GeGI as one of two systems purchased, citing its suitability for fast results in low dose rate areas.
External report
Decontamination and Decommissioning
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Savannah River National Laboratory: Gamma-Ray Imaging and Holdup Assay of 235-F PuFF Cells 1 and 2 (2017)
SRNL used the GeGI to image and quantify Pu-238 holdup in Cells 1 and 2 of the 235-F Plutonium Fuel Form Facility, supporting decommissioning planning at the Savannah River Site.
External report
Decontamination and DecommissioningNon-Destructive Assay
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Savannah River National Laboratory: Gamma-Ray Imaging Assay of 235-F PuFF East Cell Line Cells 3-5 (2017)
SRNL used the GeGI in Compton and pinhole modes to map Pu-238 distribution in Cells 3-5 of the 235-F East Cell Line, refining a prior holdup model with spatial source data.
External report
Decontamination and DecommissioningNon-Destructive Assay
Open report
Third-Party Testing
GeGI Imaging Measurements at a Live CBRNE Training Exercise (2016)
In a live CBRNE exercise the GeGI detected, located, and quantified Cs-137, Pu-239, depleted uranium, and HEU across six targets, including a real-time estimate of about 85 grams of U-235.
External report
Emergency ResponseNon-Destructive Assay
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Phase I Final Report: High-Resolution Gamma-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy for SNM Assay (GeGI-DNN)
This DOE Phase I project developed spectral and spatial algorithms that improved pinhole and Compton imaging for count-starved SNM assay, producing a quantitative spectroscopic imaging capability.
External report
Non-Destructive AssaySafeguards
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Real-Time Imaging of Ac-225 and Ra-225 Radiochemical Separation with the GeGI
At ORNL's REDC, the GeGI tracked an Ac-225 and Ra-225 radiochemical separation in real time, mapping the parent, product, and decay daughters by gamma energy on the collection carousel.
External report
RadiochemistryRadiopharmaceutical
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Radioactive Threat Vision via Quantitative Gamma-Ray Imaging (2016)
This PHDS paper argues that compact high-resolution gamma imagers let CBRNE teams map source location, identity, and quantity from safe standoff, replacing semi-random detector search.
External report
Emergency Response
Open report
Third-Party Testing
GeGI Overview for the IAEA (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 2015)
This LLNL overview introduces the GeGI HPGe gamma imager and its capabilities ahead of the 2015 IAEA Technology Evaluation Workshop on gamma imaging for safeguards.
External report
Safeguards
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Savannah River National Laboratory: 2015 In-Situ Gamma-Ray Assay of the 235-F PuFF West Cell Line
Using a shielded HPGe detector and the GeGI for source mapping, SRNL measured 0.90 plus or minus 0.058 grams of Pu-238 holdup in the 235-F West Cell Line, more precise than prior assays.
External report
Decontamination and DecommissioningNon-Destructive Assay
Open report
Third-Party Testing
DOE/NNSA Evaluation of Gamma-Ray Imaging (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 2014)
A 2014 LLNL evaluation of gamma-ray imaging technologies for DOE/NNSA in which the GeGI participated. The original hosted link is no longer active and needs a replacement source.
External report
Safeguards
Open report
Third-Party Testing
GeGI Performance in a Maritime Interdiction Operation (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 2014)
This LLNL report assesses GeGI performance in a maritime interdiction operation scenario, evaluating the portable HPGe gamma imager for shipboard search and localization of nuclear material.
External report
Emergency ResponseSafeguards
Open report
Third-Party Testing
Next Generation Germanium Systems for Safeguards Applications (IAEA Symposium, 2014)
This LLNL and PHDS paper presents the GeGI, the first portable germanium gamma imager with a 4-pi field of view, with safeguards measurements at Paducah and the Savannah River Site.
External report
SafeguardsNon-Destructive Assay
Open report

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