ORTEC Micro-Detective-HX User Manual

Micro-Detective-HX

Enhanced Capability, Ultra-Light, High-Fidelity
Hand-Held Radioisotope Identifier

Micro-Detective-HX

• Wireless Remote Monitoring – Remotely control and monitor from a central location.

• Portable – Light weight, long battery life, “one-hand” operation with GPS location.

• Simple to Operate – Touchscreen or push button with audible and visual alarm indicators.

• Rugged – High or low temperatures, water proof, dust proof and drop hardened.

• Superior Algorithms – Low false alarm rates, more than 150 nuclide IDs and superior SNM
search.

• Gamma and Neutron Detection – Identification, dose rate and count rate.

• Detects and Identifies x-rays and gamma rays from radioactive sources in any form (solid, liquid,
or gas)

• Auto Calibration – Continuous real-time detector stabilization.

• Detective-Remote Compatible – Use as a mobile, transportable or choke point monitor.

Micro-Detective-HX is the latest development of high purity germanium (HPGe) based hand-held
radioisotope identifiers “RID”s. The “-HX” is a commercially available version hand-held that
includes additional features carried out under contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security.

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The Micro-Detective-HX Features

• 40% lighter than industry-leading ORTEC Detective-EX.

• 50% reduction in overall size.

• Simple to operate: Bright, clear, SUNLIGHT READABLE display, touch sensitive screen, and intuitive menus.

• Rugged: Enclosure, display, and all perforations are sealed against moisture and dust.

• Built in neutron detector.

• Built in GPS.

• Removable data storage SD card.

• WiFi 802.11 wireless communications.

• Wireless Mobile MCB Server software.

Plus the latest improvements

• Operating time of up to 5 hours on a single battery.

• “Snap-open” battery door for rapid battery exchange with minimal down-time.

• New improved, silent running, low-power cryocooler.

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The contract was awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) under the Human Portable Radiation Detection
System (HPRDS). The HPRDS program began in 2006 in order to develop next-generation hand-held devices that would bring faster and more reliable means to detecting and
identifying radioactive materials. Of the five contractors initially chosen to improve and enhance their radiation identification technology, AMETEK recently was selected by DHS to
continue in the HPRDS program.

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Micro-Detective-HX

Hardware

he Micro-Detective-HX features compact, light weight and rugged hardware. A 50 mm

T
diameter HPGe crystal in a “hardened” cryostat is cooled by an integrated low-power Stirling­cycle cryocooler. The latest version Micro-Detective-HX features a new cooler, offering
reduced levels of accoustic noise and vibration, and longer operation life. The hardened
cryostat is entirely free of 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. This is
impossible with conventional HPGe cryostat systems which require careful temperature
cycling procedures to avoid damage.

A built-in digital MCA system and powerful data processor are included. All models feature the
same bright and clear VGA resolution display, readable in direct sunlight, with a 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.

Gamma and neutron count rate and gamma dose rate are displayed continuously both
numerically and in bar graph form.

In the latest version, the Micro-Detective-HX internal battery provides enough power for up to
5 hours of operation and is easily replaced in seconds, allowing continuous in-field operation.
At just under 16 lbs. in weight, the Micro-Detective sets a world record for portable, high
resolution nuclide identifiers, by a wide margin.

The snap-open battery compartment makes

battery changing simple.

Exclusive to the -HX

• One-handed control of instrument through two handle-mounted buttons, or though

touchscreen.

• Visual Alarms: LEDs provide clear and simple indication of nuclide type: threat, innocent or

suspect, plus error indication.

• Vibrating alarm built into handle.

• 3-level auditory alarms can be routed through headphones.

-HX Software Approach

HPGe is already acknowledged as the “perfect” detector for a radioisotope identifier. It has ~40 times better energy resolution (selectivity) than
the nearest alternative. Unlike lower-resolution detector types, HPGe crystals must operate at cryogenic temperatures — an engineering issue
ORTEC solved 25 years ago. Several hundred Detective family instruments in the field attest to the reliability of today’s miniature Stirling cycle
coolers used for this purpose.

Beyond the intrinsic selectivity of the HPGe detector type, the ultimate performance in terms of its fidelity of identification (zero false positives or
false negatives is the goal) depends on the software algorithms. Its practicality in use depends on reliable hardware and a user interface which
is easy to learn and interpret.

The Micro-Detective-HX performance has been enhanced with the introduction of the new Detective-Pro user interface. Further reductions in
both false positive and false negative results have been achieved, combined with a new design user interface and new modes of operation.

The Detective-Pro User Interface is

• Clear.

• Simple and intuitive.

• Informative.

• Based on simple-to-use hardware, even with one gloved hand.

Desktop battery charger

(MICRO-DET-ACC-CHGR).

Recharges battery

(MICRO-DET-ACC-BAT)

in 4 hours.

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Micro-Detective-HX

The Micro-Detective-HX in Use: Overview

From the hardware standpoint the user interface comprises:

• Two buttons on the front of the handle, Navigate (N) and Select (S), with which all survey

and sampling operations can be performed.

• A high-resolution, sunlight readable, color touchscreen provides an alternative way to

choose menu options and enter data such as passwords and alarm limits.

• Audio-visual feedback:

Menus are designed to be operated with N and S buttons only, but if preferred, the
touchscreen is always available.

On-screen help messages display radiation and system error alarms. The messages
tell the user what the next press of the N and S buttons will do.

An audio alarm with three volume settings can be used with headphones and a
vibration alarm is provided in the handle. Either, both, or neither can be enabled.

A 4-LED panel is used to further inform the operator of alarm conditions.

Color coding of the LEDs and screen borders match in order to make the instrument

as intuitive as possible: red for threat, yellow for suspect and green for innocent.

Indicators at the top of the screen show the current dose rate in mrem/hr, the number
of spectra that can be stored on the SD card, GPS co-ordinates, the power source
(external power or battery), battery time remaining, and the on/off state of the audio
and vibration alerts. The storage-space and battery-time-remaining readouts alternate
every few seconds.

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 and their classification as a threat (T), suspect (S), or innocent
(I). It can also optionally show whether the identification is at high (H) or low (L)
confidence.

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Display and Control Buttons.

“Radiation Alarm.”

Contextual Messages Give Function of the “S” and “N”

Buttons.

Alarm LED Indicator.

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Note the only suspect alarm in standard sampling mode is “Elevated radiation or beta.” This
indicates the gamma count rate is higher than can be accounted for based on the peaks in the ­HX library. The implication is that either an unexpected nuclide or a beta emitter is present.

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Indicators at Top of Screen.

Real-Time Identification Area.

Neutron Alarm.