Award Date

12-15-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Committee Member

Alexander Barzilov

Second Committee Member

Charlotta Sanders

Third Committee Member

Jaeyun Moon

Fourth Committee Member

Zaijing Sun

Number of Pages

102

Abstract

Gamma spectroscopy is a technique used for the detection and identification of nuclear materials. Gamma-ray emission by radio nuclides is detected using scintillation detectors or semiconductor detectors such as NaI and CZT. Robot-based gamma probes enable radiation measurements in large areas and hard-to-reach cluttered hazardous environments, which significantly reduces radiation risks to personnel. The robotic probes require automated on-board gamma spectrum analysis and capabilities with platforms (unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicle systems) which use Robot Operating System (ROS). The aim of this thesis was to develop a method of an automated spectral analysis and isotope identification for robot-based gamma detectors. A robust algorithm with spectrum filtering function, photopeak search capabilities, and isotope identification was developed to analyze measured radiation data fused with GPS data and timestamps in real time. Studies for energy spectrum smoothing were conducted at different window sizes for the distribution of weight elements. Peak finding and determination of gamma ray’s energy using appropriate window size and peak detection threshold is reported for experiments using 133Ba, 137Cs, and 60Co sources and a 3 inch × 3 inch NaI(Tl) detector equipped with SiPM. The algorithm was designed for deployment within ROS on Linux microcomputer. The algorithm performance level or tolerance, peak search, and isotope identification capability were investigated.

Keywords

Nuclear Measurement; Peak Fitting; Peak Search Algorithm; Robot-Based; Spectrum Analysis; Spectrum Smoothing

Disciplines

Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Nuclear Engineering

File Format

PDF

File Size

8500 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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