Optimized Strategies for Smart Nuclear Search

Abstract

In many applications the time available for nuclear materials detection is short, the signals are weak, and the backgrounds are large, variable, and difficult to control. We develop optimal strategies for nuclear search in these difficult conditions, and demonstrate these strategies in experiments. Model-driven algorithms promise to reduce search time by order of magnitude, with increased reliability of detection and reduced number of false positives. These strategies can be applied to various nuclear search scenarios, for both mobile and stationary detectors, hand-held detectors and sensors on robotic platforms. Our methods can be used against nuclear smugglers and terrorists, for safeguards and non-proliferation treaty monitoring, as well as in other situations where radioactive sources need to be found.