Real-time mixed reality display of dual particle radiation detector data

Abstract

Radiation source localization and characterization are challenging tasks that currently require complex analyses for interpretation. Mixed reality (MR) technologies are at the verge of wide scale adoption and can assist in the visualization of complex data. Herein, we demonstrate real-time visualization of gamma ray and neutron radiation detector data in MR using the Microsoft HoloLens 2 smart glasses, significantly reducing user interpretation burden. Radiation imaging systems typically use double-scatter events of gamma rays or fast neutrons to reconstruct the incidence directional information, thus enabling source localization. The calculated images and estimated ’hot spots’ are then often displayed in 2D angular space projections on screens. By combining a state-of-the-art dual particle imaging system with HoloLens 2, we propose to display the data directly to the user via the head-mounted MR smart glasses, presenting the directional information as an overlay to the user’s 3D visual experience. We describe an open source implementation using efficient data transfer, image calculation, and 3D engine. We thereby demonstrate for the first time a real-time user experience to display fast neutron or gamma ray images from various radioactive sources set around the detector. We also introduce an alternative source search mode for situations of low event rates using a neural network and simulation based training data to provide a fast estimation of the source’s angular direction. Using MR for radiation detection provides a more intuitive perception of radioactivity and can be applied in routine radiation monitoring, education & training, emergency scenarios, or inspections.

Flexible and Stretchable Light-Emitting Diodes and Photodetectors for Human-Centric Optoelectronics

“…Copyright 2022 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Mixed reality device. Reproduced with permission from ref . Copyright 2023 Springer Nature.…”

Gamma-ray Spectroscopy in Low-Power Nuclear Research Reactors

“…To conduct a comparative detector response analysis, we employed trans-stilbene scintillators [47] to test the simultaneous gamma-ray and neutron detection, as CeBr 3 scintillators and HPGe semi-conductors cannot directly detect neutrons. This dual-particle sensitivity offers an interesting prospect for reactor monitoring, simulation validation, and possible imaging applications [48][49][50].…”

Comparison of Spatial Visualization Techniques for Radiation in Augmented Reality

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