Detective-EX and Detective-DX
HPGe-based Hand-Held Radioisotope Identifiers

Looking for special nuclear material can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Fertilizers, ceramics, kitty litter, medical patients etc. etc., are all radioactive and can confuse most other instruments. When you can’t afford to be wrong, you need an ORTEC Detective. . .

• Detector optional

• Built-in GPS receiver

• Faster “100” models with larger Detectors

• SNM Search Mode™

• Calibrate on any source

• PC remote control Software

The ORTEC Detective family of Hand-Held Radioisotope Identifiers (HHRIDs) has gained an unmatched reputation for performance in the rapid identification of radioisotopes in both suspected and actual cases of illicit nuclear materials trafficking.

Other instruments see fuzzy and indistinct.	The Detective sees sharp and clear.	Detective result. No guesswork!
NaI Identifier Spectrum	HPGe Detective Spectrum

ORTEC Detectives are deployed ever more widely in the battle against illicit nuclear trafficking. Hundreds are being used world wide by (among others):

Key Benefits of -EX/-DX Models

• "Expert Level" Determinations without need for an Expert.

• Simple to Operate: Bright, Clear Displays, touch sensitive screens, intuitive menus.

• High resolution gamma spectroscopy¹ with confirmatory neutron detection in EX models.

• Definitive answers to the detection of illicit nuclear materials (SNM) trafficking in seconds, in a battery operated instrument.

• Fast, Simple and ULTRA-Reliable Classification of NORM, Medical, Industrial, SNM and Natural Isotopes, shielded and unshielded.

• Highly resistant to masking source interferences.

• ~20 to 100 times better² than even the most advanced NaI and CZT instruments.

• “-100” models even faster to ID.

• Highest Sensitivity Detection of Neutron Sources in a hand-held instrument.

• Gamma-Ray and Neutron Search Modes.³

• NEW: SNM Search Mode™ finds SNM sources in the presence of other sources.

• Instantly ready to use at all times, straight from the docking station.

Models

• Detective-EX: The “classic” Detective-EX 50 mm x 30 mm HPGe detector with high efficiency neutron detector.

• Detective-EX-100: The Detective-EX made faster! A larger 65 mm x 50 mm HPGe detector version of the -EX.

• Detective-DX/DX-100: “Gamma only” versions of the above Detective-EX models.

Features

• SNM Search Mode™: A unique aid to the location of SNM sources, even in the presence of other non-threatening radioactive materials.

• Calibrate on any source: Check instrument calibration on any pre-specified source (e.g., ⁴⁰K).

• PC remote control software: Remote control and display from your laptop, and spectra transfer.

Operational Capabilities (all models except where noted)

SEARCH: Count rate scanning mode for location of gamma-ray-emitting sources. -EX models add neutron search capability. An audio alert using an external ear piece is provided, with an adjustable alarm threshold.

SNM Search Mode™: Nuclide-specific “confidence meter” search mode for 235U, 239Pu, and neutron counts.

IDENTIFY: Proprietary scheme for identification and classification of gamma-emitting radionuclides. See specifications section for details.

GAMMA DOSE RATE: Gamma Dose Rate is monitored by the HPGe detector and by an internal compensated GM tube. The dose rate is displayed at all times. Dose rate units may be chosen as µSv/hr or mR/hr.

NEUTRON COUNT RATE (-EX models): Neutron Count Rate is displayed continuously. The data can be quickly saved and transmitted for further offsite analysis.

GPS Position Information (-GP models): An internal GPS receiver displays GPS coordinates which may be saved along with spectrum data for future use.

Storage of Data (spectrum, search data, ID results): To internal RAM and removable SD card.

Computer Interfacing: USB connection to laptop. Spectral transfer by MicroSoft® ActiveSync. Remote control via MicroSoft “remotedsp.exe” (supplied). Wi-fi (802.11) communication is optionally available.

All models feature a large, bright and clear LCD Display with touch-sensitive screen. The figure shows the main operator screen. Gamma and neutron (-EX) count rate and gamma dose rate are displayed continuously both numerically and in bar graph form. The battery life remaining is shown at the top.

New SNM Search Mode™

SNM Search mode is designed to help avoid false negatives when determining SNM. It helps in finding the point of maximum count rate which COULD be consistent with SNM. In SNM search modes, key regions of the spectrum are monitored which are critical to the determination of both ²³⁵U (the key constituent of HEU) and ²³⁹Pu (the key constituent in Weapons Grade and Reactor Grade Plutonium). In SNM search mode, these regions are monitored and the peak confidence level is displayed in the form of a bar graph. If a high and steady reading occurs, that indicates that "something" is present which is worthy of more investigation. Once the maximum reading of the bar graph has been located, the "confirm" key initiates the full identification algorithm.

SNM Search mode is an INDICATOR of SNM. It is a very much more sensitive search method for SNM than the more typical gross-count search, but must always be followed by the confirmatory ID to avoid false positives. In combination, SNM Search and ID modes minimize BOTH false negatives and false positives.

Display

All -EX/-DX models feature the same bright and clear VGA resolution display with touch sensitive operator screen. Menu navigation is highly intuitive. The radionuclide gamma-ray spectrum may be displayed and manipulated (e.g., vertical scale, zoom) like a conventional multichannel analyzer. Y-axis units are now displayed.

Power Sources

Detective can draw power from a variety of sources. For initial cool down from ambient temperature, the Detective is placed on the docking station, or attached to the compact AC/Power Adapter/Charger (PAC). The docking station provides small air movers to assist with initial cool down in conditions of high ambient temperature (>40°C) and incorporates a source holder for the optional ¹³⁷CS calibration check source. The docking station is recommended for high ambient temperatures. The PAC is the much more compact solution. ⁴⁰K, as found in dietary salt substitute, is an easy to obtain calibration check source for use with the PAC.

The optional source is ~0.25-µCi (9250 Bq) solid and sealed. It is an exempt quantity under U.S. and European regualtions and is only supplied pre-installed by ORTEC (not separately).

Identification Messages

Help messages may appear on the main screen to assist the operator, such as:

            "Consistent with background, keep counting"
            "Count Rate consistent with background"
            "Elevated radiation field"
            "Possible beta emitter or unknown gamma"
            "Possible nuclear material"
            "Medical – positron emitter"

The form of the primary ID messages is:

            "Found CLASS(#)" or "Suspect CLASS(#)"

            where “CLASS” is
                                    Medical
                                    Industrial
                                    NORM
                                    Bremsstrahlung
                                    Other

            And "#" is the number of nuclides of that class identified.

In compliance with the IAEA specifications, nuclear materials and thorium-bearing NORM get special treatment. Possible messages include:

            "Found nuclear uranium"
            "Found nuclear plutonium"
            "Found nuclear neptunium"
            "Found NORM-Th"

If uranium has been detected, possible messages include:

            "Highly enriched uranium"
            "Depleted uranium"
            "Low enriched uranium"
            "Natural uranium"
            "Elevated uranium concentration"

For plutonium, depending on the nature of the sample, shielding and the counting statistics, the following may appear:

            "Count for >5 minutes for Weapons/Reactor Grade"

Followed by:

            "Pu"
            "Reactor Grade Pu"

or alternatively

            "Pu"
            "Weapons Grade Pu" 

Gamma-Ray Identification Performance Data for Uranium and Plutonium
(Typical values based on data obtained from actual measurements by ORTEC personnel.)

Single Sources
Unless otherwise stated, these data were taken at a standard dose rate from the source of 500 nSv/h measured with a calibrated dose rate meter at the instrument detector face according to ANSI N42.34. When an absorber was present, the dose rate at the detector was measured THROUGH the absorber. “-EX-100/-DX-100 variant” performance is given in brackets, e.g., "-EX-100/-DX-100 <2 sec."

Unshielded and Shielded Uranium: DU, U-NAT, LEU, HEU
The time to identify as uranium, either unshielded or shielded by up to 5 mm steel, is <5 sec (-EX-100/-DX-100 <2.5 sec). For LEU and HEU samples, the type ("LEU" or "HEU") is also reported in <5 sec (-EX-100/-DX-100 <2.5 sec). LEU and HEU samples shielded by 1.6 mm lead are identified as Uranium in <5 sec (-EX-100 <2.5 sec).

Unshielded and Shielded Plutonium: Weapons Grade (WG), Reactor Grade (RG) (~60–93% ²³⁹Pu)
Time to identify as Pu, unshielded or shielded by up to 5 mm steel or 10 mm lead: <40 seconds for all types of Pu (with Cd filter if high Am content) (-EX-100/-DX-100 <13 sec). For WG Pu the type "WG Pu" is also reported in less than 100 sec (-EX-100/-DX-100 <35 sec).

Mixtures
In all cases, the mixture consists of 500 nSv/h of the "mask" nuclide, added to the specified quantity of uranium or plutonium. The "dose ratio threshold" is defined to be the standard 500 nSv/h dose rate from the mask in ratio to the smallest dose rate from U or Pu detectable in the time stated.

Uranium at 500 nSv/h in the presence of ¹³⁷Cs or ⁵⁷Co mask (unshielded)
Time to identify as uranium <5 sec (-EX-100 <2.5 sec). For LEU and HEU, the type ("LEU" or "HEU") is also reported in <5 sec (-EX-100 <2.5 sec).

Uranium Dose ratio threshold for 60 second measurement in the presence of ¹³⁷Cs or ⁵⁷Co mask (results apply to both -EX/-DX and -EX-100/-DX-100) (Dose from mask: Dose from uranium)
>7:1 for identification as uranium unshielded
>3:1 shielded 5 mm steel.
>2:1 for reporting as LEU or HEU unshielded
>1.5:1 shielded 5 mm steel. 

Plutonium at 500 nSv/h in the presence of ¹³³Ba mask
Time to identify as Pu <60 sec (-EX-100/-DX-100 <20 sec), unshielded or shielded by 5 mm steel or 10 mm lead. Identified type as RG Pu or WG Pu in <300 sec (-EX-100/-DX-100 <100 sec).

Plutonium Dose ratio threshold for 5 minute measurement in the presence of ¹³³Ba mask(results apply to both -EX and -EX-100)

>6:1 for identification as Pu unshielded, >4:1 shielded by 5 mm steel or 10 mm lead.
>1:1 for reporting as WG Pu or RG Pu unshielded or shielded by 5 mm steel or 10 mm steel (with Cd filter if high Am content).

Ordering Information

¹High resolution High Purity (HPGe) Detector.

²"Better" = faster to identify single source to the same confidence level and/or ability to find Uranium or Plutonium when masked by other nuclide in specified quantity ratio. NaI = sodium iodide detector. CZT = cadmium zinc telluride detector.

³Neutron detection is only available on “EX” models.