The Detective X Features
- Portable – Light weight, “one-hand” operation with GPS location. The Detective X is about 50% lighter than the industry-leading ORTEC Detective-EX-100T.
- Extremely Rugged – Designed for military use. Can accommodate –20°C to +50°C temperatures. IP65 rating (water proof, dust proof) and drop hardened.
- Superior Algorithms – Excellent detection and ID capability and a much better false alarm rate compared to other systems. There are more than 175 radionuclides in the library.
- Auto Calibration – Continuous real-time detector stabilization keeps the instrument calibrated at all times.
- Enhanced Communication Capability – Equipped with IEEE 802.11a/b/g/e/i/h/j standards and IEEE 802.11n wireless, wired Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth and remote control via smartphones (Android, iOS, and Windows PC). Can easily be remotely controlled and monitored from a central location..
- Optional Li6ZnS neutron detector (no 3He).
- Removable high capacity USB Flash Drive.
- Simple to operate: Bright, clear, SUNLIGHT READABLE display, touch sensitive screen, and intuitive menus.
- Operating time of up to 8 hours with dual batteries (hot swappable).
- Large HPGe Crystal (65 mm x 50 mm).
Detective X Algorithms
Beyond the intrinsic selectivity of the HPGe detector type, the ultimate performance in terms of the Detective X fidelity of identification depends on the software algorithms. ORTEC licensed the original Lawrence Livermore RadScout algorithm in 2003 and has made numerous improvements to it over the years. For example, as part of the DHS/DNDO HPRDS Program, ORTEC developed the Advanced HPRDS RIID (Micro-HPRDS) from 2008 to 2010. This algorithm advancement greatly improved ID capabilities and minimized false alarms. Over the past 10 years ORTEC has participated in a variety of test campaigns sponsored by DNDO, DoD/DTRA, IAEA, and DOE National Labs to continue to improve the algorithms and enhance the radionuclide library. The Detective X incorporates the latest algorithms in combination with the large 65 mm x 50 mm crystal, making it the most sensitive and most accurate RIID on the market. Further reductions in both false positive and false negative results have been achieved. When actionable intelligence is needed on a potential threat source, reachback experts need HPGe spectra. It is widely recognized as “The Gold Standard”.
Detective X Hardware Overview
ORTEC has more than 12 years of experience with HPGe RIIDs. Users from around the globe have provided input that has been integrated into the Detective X. The Detective X features compact, light weight and rugged hardware. A large 40% efficient (65 mm x 50 mm) HPGe crystal in a “hardened” cryostat is cooled by an integrated low-power Stirling-cycle cryocooler. The Detective X features a new cooler, offering a greater lift capacity. The hardened cryostat is entirely free of a conventional molecular sieve, allowing the instrument to be turned off or on at any point in the detector cool down or warm up cycle without risk. ORTEC is the only manufacturer that offers this functionality in a handheld HPGe RIID.
A built-in digital MCA system and powerful data processor are included. The Detective X features a bright VGA resolution display, readable in direct sunlight, with a touch sensitive operator screen. The operation of the Detective X is highly intuitive. The radionuclide gamma-ray spectrum may be displayed and manipulated (e.g., vertical scale, zoom) like a conventional multichannel analyzer. Gamma count rate, neutron flux, and gamma dose rate are displayed continuously.
The Detective X in Use: Overview
- A high-resolution, sunlight readable, color touchscreen as the standard method to operate the system and enter data such as passwords and alarm limits.
- Alternatively, three buttons on the top of the unit, Power, Navigate (N) and Select (S), can also be used for survey and sampling operations.
Audio-visual feedback:
- An audio alarm can be used with the Bluetooth headphone. A vibration alarm is provided in the handle.
- Indicators at the top of the screen show the current dose rate in mrem/hr (or µSv or µGy). An icon is shown if the instrument has a fix on a GPS (green) or no fix on a GPS (red). Icons also show the status of MFK, Bluetooth, LCX Mode stabilizer status (when disabled) and WiFi (connected or not connected).
- When radiation is detected and identified, the identification is posted to the real-time identification area of the screen. This area lists the names of any radioisotopes currently being detected.
Modes of Operation
Detect Mode Operation
Detect mode is used to locate and identify sources. In this mode, the instrument is continuously “looking” but not storing data. The “Detect Mode” screen shows the detector count rate and dose rate. It is also the search mode and monitoring mode.
The “Detect Mode” screen displays “Signal Index” and “SNM Index” strip charts in the middle of the screen. The strip charts update every half second. They are real time indicators of the presence of radioactive material. The strip charts will sometimes show an increase before identifications appear on the screen.
A Survey always begins with a Detect mode measurement. The Detective X is set to automatically start in Detect Mode.
Identify Mode Operation
This mode is used to identify radionuclides by counting an object or area of interest from a stationary position for an extended period of time. Data is acquired for a preset time period or until the acquisition is stopped.
The identify mode can operate in “single” spectrum mode or in “multiple spectrum analysis” mode. The mode is selected by the administrator. Single spectrum mode starts a spectrum collection and performs a radionuclide identification as the spectrum is collected. In multiple spectrum mode, background, known, and unknown spectra are collected, automatically packaged, and sent to reachback.
The preset is real time. During this time, radionuclide IDs are displayed by nuclide name on the screen. The operator can view the spectrum in real time or can display the ten most intense gamma-ray lines in the spectrum during the identification period.
The Detective X and Background Radiation — No more NORM alarms
The Detective X uses the background measurements saved on the instrument to recognize and suppress NORM Identifications unless the NORM material is at a significantly higher level than the stored background.
The Detective X and Digital Stabilization — Making the best of it
Although a digital germanium spectrometer is a highly stable instrument, even with varying temperatures, the Detective X is designed for use in conditions that could be considered extreme. An automatic gain stabilizer system “locks onto” the natural background K-40 peak (if present) to ensure “perfect” calibration is maintained even in conditions of harsh handling. The stabilizer is “smart.” If K-40 is not found in the spectrum, the gain stabilizer will be turned off. Also, the user can choose to disable the stabilizer and proceed directly to ID measurements to minimize setup time in mission critical scenarios.
Dose Rate Calibration Wizard
The Calibration Wizard is designed to take timed dose rate readings of 18 points through a selected detection range. The dose rate can be calibrated from 100 µR/hr to 2 R/hr and a Cs-137 source capable of generating this dose range is required.
If the Calibration Wizard does not detect at least 50% of the expected value in the current step, it will not continue to the next step.
The Detective X shows the last calibration date on the About screen. If the Detective X has not been calibrated, the About screen will display “No Dose Calibration”.