Portable Modular Accelerator Technology to Replace Gamma in Irradiation Applications

a. Portable Modular Accelerator Technology to Replace Gamma in Irradiation Applications Ionizing radiation sources are widely used in broad spectrum of applications, including but not limited to: industrial irradiation, cancer treatment, polymer crosslinking, and radiographic inspection of pipes. Multiple irradiation technologies are available: radioisotope sources, non-radioisotopic x-ray sources, and ultrasonic testing sources. The use of high-activity radioisotope sources (including Cs-137, Ir-192, Co-60, and Se-75) poses a radiological security risk since the sources could be stolen and used in a radiological dispersal device, or dirty bomb . X-ray and electron beam systems have the potential to be used in lieu of radioisotope sources, thus eliminating the security risk. However, for this technology to be widely adopted, additional development is needed to meet end-user requirements for portable, stable operations. The Office of Proliferation Detection is soliciting the development of a modular and portable irradiation platform capable of replacing the need for radioisotope source-based irradiators in a broad range of applications. The modular device needs to be very mobile and robust to challenging environmental conditions, including varying temperatures. The creation of a standardized platform is desired for both electron and x-ray irradiation. The system should be able to deliver as wide a range in dose as possible within the range of 0.5 Gy/min to hundreds of Gy/min at a wide range of energies from 1 to 10 MeV. The intent is to establish a cost effective common base technology that can be broadly adopted in various applications and industries with minimal additional engineering effort (i.e. shaping electron beam, conversion to x-ray, beam shaping, etc.) Questions Contact: Donald Hornback, Donald.Hornback@nnsa.doe.gov