PROMORC

PROMORC: Progressive methods for analysis of mobile gamma spectrometric data in search of lost gamma emitting material out of regulatory control

The Nordic radiation safety authorities, in collaboration with Lund University, have since 2018 developed and tested methods for mobile search of lost gamma-ray sources. The work has meant a unique and enriching cooperation for all parties. Searching for missing radiation sources is a challenge because the search may have to take place over large areas and a long time. The laws of physics limit the distance within which a radiation source can be detected, even under the best conditions. Variations in the natural background and shielding of the radiation by surrounding structures lead to interference that shortens the distance when mobile gamma spectrometers can detect even dangerous radiation. The PROMORC project intends to develop and test advanced methods to suppress disturbances in measurement data from the environment and highlight signals that are typical of point-shaped gamma-ray sources. Processing by frequency analysis of mobile spectrometric data where these interferences are identified and sorted out can improve the possibility of detecting hidden illegal sources. The NKS REALMORC 2023 report describes frequency analysis methods intended to be applied in PROMORC. The methods will be integrated into the MGSSA package that Lund University initially created in 2024. In addition, the PROMORC project will incorporate the two present manual methods, SODAC and SSC, to determine the distance to a source, its shielding and activity, which today requires manual handling. Integration of the methods facilitates the operator task by providing pictures of where sought-after gamma-ray sources may be located, indicating probability, distance, shielding and activity for a possible source. A joint Nordic field experiment in October 2025 will test the improved methods and software developed by Lund University in PROMORC 2025.

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