Remote detection of radioactive material using optically induced air breakdown ionization

Joshua Isaacs; Daniel Woodbury; Phillip Sprangle

doi:10.1117/12.2526350

17 May 2019 Remote detection of radioactive material using optically induced air breakdown ionization

Joshua Isaacs, Daniel Woodbury, Phillip Sprangle

Proceedings Volume 11010, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XX; 110101E (2019) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2526350
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2019, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

A concept for all-optical remote detection of radioactive materials is presented and analyzed. The presence of excess radioactivity increases the level of negative ions in the surrounding air region. We model irradiated air to estimate the density of negative ions and use a set of coupled rate equations to simulate a subsequent laser-induced avalanche ionization. This can act as a source of seed electrons for a laser-induced avalanche ionization breakdown process. We examine avalanche ionization behavior in several laser parameter regimes, and determine the time required for saturation of the breakdown for both a single seed ion as well as for a population of ions present in the focused volume of a highintensity laser pulse, corresponding to two methods of remotely measuring the ion density, which is a signature of radioactive materials.

Citation Download Citation

Joshua Isaacs, Daniel Woodbury, and Phillip Sprangle "Remote detection of radioactive material using optically induced air breakdown ionization", Proc. SPIE 11010, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Sensing XX, 110101E (17 May 2019); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2526350

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