Demonstration of COMRIS, a 3-D visualization software for radioactive substances based on Compton cameras and SLAM devices

佐藤 優樹; 峯本 浩二郎*; 根本 誠*

Proceedings of Waste Management Conference 2025 (WM2025) (Internet)), 9 Pages, 2025/03

We have been developing software to visualize the location of radiation sources in three dimensions by importing output data from Compton cameras, survey meters, and SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) devices. The software, named COMRIS (COMpton camera for Radiation Imaging System), is GUI-based and visualizes the location of radiation sources by capturing the output data of the above multiple measuring instruments. The authors previously presented an overview of COMRIS and reported the results of visualizing a Cs test source in the laboratory by combining a Compton camera and a 3D-Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)-based SLAM. However, we have not been able to report how this software is operated on a GUI screen. In addition, an new attempt was made this time to expand the effective field of view (FoV) to both front and rear by preparing two Compton cameras, each of which is sensitive only to the front of the device, and placing them back-to-back. In this work, we report once again on the integration method of output data from SLAM devices and Compton cameras using COMRIS, based on the GUI screen. In addition, data output from two back-to-back Compton cameras and SLAM devices were imported into COMRIS to demonstrate visualization of radiation sources.

Radioactivity estimation of radioactive hotspots using a Compton camera and derivation of dose rates in the surrounding environment

佐藤 優樹

Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 212, p.111421_1 - 111421_8, 2024/10

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2024.111421

At the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, radiation sources released in the accident were deposited on various equipment and building structures. During decommissioning, it is crucial to understand the distribution of radiation sources and ambient dose equivalent rates to reduce worker exposure and implement detailed work planning. In this study, the author introduces a method for visualizing radiation sources, estimates their radioactivity using a Compton camera, and derives the dose rate around the radiation sources. In the demonstration test, the Compton camera was used to visualize radioactive hotspots caused by Cs radiation sources deposited in the outdoor environment and estimated the radioactivity. Furthermore, the dose rate around the hotspots was calculated from the estimated radioactivity, which confirmed that the calculated dose rate correlated with the dose rate measured using a survey meter. This approach is novel, where a series of analyses were conducted using the Compton camera to visualize radioactive hotspots, estimate the radioactivity, and derive the dose rate in the surrounding environment.

Identification of depth location of a radiation source by measurement from only one direction using a Compton camera

佐藤 優樹

Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 195, p.110739_1 - 110739_9, 2023/05

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110739

In the decommissioning work environment of a nuclear power plant, it is essential to accurately identify the location of radiation sources to reduce worker doses and develop decontamination plans. In this regard, gamma-ray imagers are promising devices in the visualization of the location of radiation sources. However, they can only estimate the direction in which the radiation source is located and not the distance to the source. A previous study has reported a method to identify the three-dimensional coordinates of the radiation source by measuring from multiple viewpoints with a gamma-ray imager. In some cases, the many pieces of object located at the actual decommissioning site limit the accessible area, making it difficult to measure the target area from multiple viewpoints. Thus, the present study devised and demonstrated a method of estimating the distance to the radiation source by measuring from only one direction using a Compton camera, a type of gamma-ray imager. The proposed method considered the reconstructed image intensity to be proportional to the inverse square of the distance to radiation source. This approach will be useful in accurately locating radiation sources in environments with limited workable areas, such as the broken reactor buildings inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

Estimation of radioactivity and dose equivalent rate by combining Compton imaging and Monte Carlo radiation transport code

佐藤 優樹

Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 185, p.110254_1 - 110254_7, 2022/07

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110254

In a radiation environment, such as the decommissioning site of a nuclear power station, visualization of the distribution of radioactive substances and estimation of the dose equivalent rate around the site can help reduce the exposure dose of workers and plan their work. The author has developed a method of visualizing the existence of a radiation source using a gamma-ray imager, estimating its radioactivity, and estimating the dose equivalent rate around the source. A Compton camera, which is a gamma-ray imager, is used to visualize the existence of a Cs radiation source and estimate its radioactivity, and a three-dimensional (3D) model of the region around the source is generated using a simultaneous localization and mapping device based on 3D light detection and ranging. Next, the dose equivalent rate around the source is calculated by importing the 3D model data and radioactivity information into a particle and heavy ion transport code system code. The validity of the calculated dose equivalent rates was confirmed by comparing them with values measured using a survey meter. This method can be used not only to simply visualize a source and calculate the dose equivalent rate around it but also to evaluate how addition of shielding or removal of contaminated objects can contribute to reducing the dose equivalent rate.

3D position and radioactivity estimation of radiation source by a simple directional radiation detector combined with structure from motion

佐藤 優樹; 峯本 浩二郎*; 根本 誠*

Radiation Measurements, 142, p.106557_1 - 106557_6, 2021/03

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2021.106557

It is important to visualize radioactive substances' position and distribution and estimate their radioactivity levels to reduce the exposure dose of workers in radioactive areas (such as decommissioning worksites of nuclear power stations) and improve nuclear security functions. To visualize the radioactive substance's three-dimensional (3D) location, a directional radiation detector with a cylindrical shield on a simple single-pixel gamma-ray detector was applied to the structure from motion (SfM) technology using an ordinary digital camera. Verification was performed by a system that combines SfM with a CdTe sensor probe having narrow directivity. Am radiation source's position was visualized by drawing the radiation source's image acquired by the gamma-ray detector on the work area 3D model reconstructed through SfM. Furthermore, as SfM is a simultaneous localization and mapping technology, the system measures the gamma rays while measuring the gamma-ray detector's dynamic position and posture information. The measurements can be acquired while the gamma-ray detector is freely moving in the work area. These methods visualized the radiation source's position and quantitatively estimated the radiation source's radioactivity.

ガンマ線画像スペクトル分光法による高放射線場環境の画像化による定量的放射能分布解析法(委託研究); 平成30年度英知を結集した原子力科学技術・人材育成推進事業

廃炉国際共同研究センター; 京都大学*

JAEA-Review 2019-036, 65 Pages, 2020/03

JAEA-Review-2019-036.pdf:4.46MB

日本原子力研究開発機構(JAEA)廃炉国際共同研究センター(CLADS)では、平成30年度英知を結集した原子力科学技術・人材育成推進事業(以下、「本事業」という)を実施している。本事業は、東京電力ホールディングス福島第一原子力発電所の廃炉等をはじめとした原子力分野の課題解決に貢献するため、国内外の英知を結集し、様々な分野の知見や経験を、従前の機関や分野の壁を越えて緊密に融合・連携させた基礎的・基盤的研究及び人材育成を推進することを目的としている。平成30年度の新規採択課題から実施主体を文部科学省からJAEAに移行することで、JAEAとアカデミアとの連携を強化し、廃炉に資する中長期的な研究開発・人材育成をより安定的かつ継続的に実施する体制を構築した。本研究は、研究課題のうち、平成30年度「ガンマ線画像スペクトル分光法による高放射線場環境の画像化による定量的放射能分布解析法」について取りまとめたものである。電子飛跡検出型コンプトンカメラ(ETCC)は、前段にガス増幅型位置検出器を用いて電子の3次元飛跡を測定することにより、従来型のコンプトンカメラの分解能を大幅に向上する技術として、これまで宇宙観測用として開発し医療への応用も進めて来た。本研究では、医療用に開発したETCCをもとに、現場での操作性を重視した軽ETCCを試作し、フィールド試験により実用性を評価する。