Commercially available high resolution field Gamma Spectrometers are either too heavy for field use or are priced beyond the budgets of most users interested in such a device. Recent developments in electrically cooled systems while looking impressive still does not effectively solve the needs of a typical User who requires a reliable device at an affordable price, and without the technical problems and failures of complex systems.
There are several observed limitations in some of these newer field gamma spectroscopy systems in the market – let alone cost, weight (or both) and the issues of higher chances of failure of cooling systems.
In addition the low efficiency/sensitivity to neutrons overrides the advertized “benefits” of some “dual detection” systems. In applications where detection of gamma radiation along with neutrons is a requirement (which is a small segment of the market), the neutron sensitivity of the small internal neutron detector used in such Gamma- Neutron detection to advertize this “benefit of dual use” is far too less for all practical uses. The detection sensitivity to neutron in such systems are so poor that using a secondary hand held device using traditional Neutron Survey instruments at a fraction of the cost provides the real solution in such applications where neutron detection is a must.
Evaluation of some of the newer devices reveal other problems. The restrictions in operating time mandates frequent swapping of rechargeable batteries (which by itself requires many hours for charging) nullifies the advantages perceived in “electrical cooling” of such devices. The requirement for swapping of batteries in the field, or charging time for batteries used to power the devices crosses out the perceived advantages of “No LN2 Cooling.” Also electrically cooled systems require several hours of cooling before use. There is no indication that electrically cooling may cool the device faster than liquid nitrogen cooling.
As such the cost of such devices simply because it may be “electrically cooled” or provides symbolic “neutron” detection, may not justify its cost in many applications. And neither offer an User the optimum price to performance ratio for the additional cost.
Unfortunately, these disadvantages are not clear to cursory review of such highly advertized devices which would otherwise nullify any advantages to justify the cost of such new devices in all cases.
To meet the real needs of the greater market without the above problems, and an affordable cost, NATS has introduced the “HAWK.” The Hawk is the world’s smallest liquid nitrogen cooled gamma spectrometer based on HPGE detectors. The hawk is ultra light, portable device, smallest in its family.
The Hawk also provides a complete range of functions and features which are offered by regular Laboratory grade High Purity Germanium detector based Gamma spectroscopy systems. The Hawk provides a digital 16K MCA with full electronics, data acquisition and analysis software and runs off low power batteries. The Hawk has a reduced weight, only a little heavier than a gallon of water. The system uses liquid nitrogen which allows us to guarantee a minimum of 20 hours usage without needing to recharge or hot swap batteries on the crystal cooling system.
The Hawk comes with an LCD touch screen to easily operate and change the device settings. It also provides the ability to use the EFFCAL software to conduct mathematical estimation of various complex field geometries using the Monte Carlo Neutron Transport Code (MCNP) based efficiency modeling.
If you need a common sense field unit that is affordable, ultra light, and operates without the problems inherent in some of the expensive devices; and addresses the real needs in 90% of the applications, then the HAWK is your solution.
NATS currently offers instruments and systems used in all aspects of nuclear radiation detection and analysis. These areas include nuclear spectroscopy, radiation dosimetry, health physics, environmental analysis and in medical applications.
NATS designs and manufactures certain instruments, provides customized designs for systems, and integrates products and systems using a list of partners specialized in the Radiation Field located in the USA and Europe.
NATS offers systems for Users in Nuclear Power Plants, Homeland Security Agencies, Customs and Border Patrol, National Atomic Energy Agencies, Nuclear Regulatory Agencies, Hospitals, and in Research Establishments worldwide.
List of additional NATS products and services used in radiation detection and analysis are listed below:
- High Resolution Gamma spectrometry solutions
- High Resolution X-Ray Systems
- Medium Resolution Gamma spectrometry systems based on Lanthanum Bromide and NaI detectors
- Sample changes for high throughput Gamma spectroscopy systems
- Low level Alpha/Beta counting systems
- Alpha Spectroscopy Systems
- Liquid Scintillation Analysis Systems
- In-Situ Spectroscopy Systems
- Field Inspection and Nuclide Identification Systems
- Whole Body and In-Vivo counting Systems with Analysis Software
- Body Contamination Systems based on Sealed Gas detectors
- Waste assay systems: Fixed and Portable
- Portals monitoring and Border control Systems
- Advanced Early Radiation Monitoring Systems (RMS) based on Gamma, Particulates, and Iodine CAM/PIFF
- Mobile Inspection Vehicles
- Mobile Radiation Laboratories
- External Dosimetry systems and accessories
- Educational and Training Systems
- Consulting Services
NATS currently offers instruments and systems used in all aspects of nuclear radiation detection and analysis. These areas include nuclear spectroscopy, radiation dosimetry, health physics, environmental analysis and in medical applications.
NATS continues its efforts to innovate via partnership with reputable to provide systems offering the best price to performance ratio for its customers worldwide.
If you need a common sense field unit that is affordable, ultra light, and operates without the problems listed above, then the HAWK is your solution.
Visit NATS on line at https://www.nats-usa.com.
NATS Incorporated
511 Centerpoint Drive
Middletown, CT 06457 U.S.A.
office: +1-860-635-6820
fax: +1-860-635-4962
e-mail: sales@nats-usa.com