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Detailed introduction
PINS3-CW-G2 combines advanced chemical analysis and identification technology with the industry's ORTEC trans-SPEC-N high-purity germanium platform. 
The ORTEC PINS3-CW-G2 analyzes and provides on-site identification information about the chemical contents inside munitions or other unopened containers without the need to disassemble or take a physical sample. It is widely deployed by military and intelligence organizations around the world to identify the contents of "suspect" packages.
The PINS3-CW-G2 is simple and easy to use with the addition of the ORTEC trans-SPEC-N Mechanically Cooled High Purity Germanium Spectrometer. The trans-SPEC-N has been specifically designed and tested to replace the detectors in previous generation PINS systems which used liquid nitrogen to cool the detector. The PINS3-CW-G2 provides significant advantages over previous liquid nitrogen-based systems by eliminating the logistical and safety problems associated with the storage and transport of liquid nitrogen, equipment handling, maintenance, and training.
The PINS3-CW-G2 incorporates the miniGEN D-D Neutron Generator which is approximately 66% smaller, 66% lighter, and uses 60% less power than the previous generator.
The PINS3-CW-G2 stａnd is made of a lightweight, carbon fiber that makes it >50% lighter than the previous stand.
The complete PINS3-CW-G2 system packs into 2 Pelican-style cases.
Benefits of the PINS3-CW-G2 System
- Users have limited exposure to the material of interest.
- Users do not have to handle hazardous materials such as LN2.
- Simple, fast setup and operation.
- Longer operational times require less battery changes.
- Prepackaged in 2 Pelican Cases for easy shipping and handling.
- Reduces risk to the public, workers and emergency response personnel by rapidly obtaining detailed information and distributing it to the appropriate authorities and responders.
- Optional Detective software will allow the trans-SPEC-N to operate as a DETDX-100T-GP.
PINS overview
The Portable Isotope Nuclear Spectroscopy (PINS) Chemical Identification System non-destructively identifies hazardous compounds and mixtures. There is no need to open or touch the test object, greatly increasing safety. As shown in the figure, PINS uses neutrons to detect test objects. The neutrons excite the interior of the atomic nucleus, causing the excited nuclei to produce gamma rays. Each chemical element's gamma rays have a specific energy intensity pattern, or spectrum, so by analyzing the gamma ray spectrum, PINS software can identify chemical elements within a test object and determine whether the object contains chemical warfare agents, fillers (such as sand), or smoke-producing chemicals.
Working principle
PINS3-CW-G2 uses neutrons produced by a neutron generator to excite the nuclei within the object being measured. The fusion of deuterium atoms (D + D) within the neutron generator will result in the formation of He-3 ions and neutrons with a kinetic energy of about 2.5 MeV. The standard PINS3-CW-G2 neutron generator can produce 10 million neutrons per second. The generator fires neutrons in all directions, with approximately 1,000 neutrons per second striking each square centimeter of the test object's surface. Because neutrons are a penetrating form of radiation, most neutrons will pass through the test object's outer shell and interact with the chemicals inside.
Neutrons from the generator excite the nuclei they encounter through inelastic scattering or neutron capture. In either case, excited nuclei decay to their ground state by emitting gamma rays, which are characteristic of emitting nuclei. That is, gamma ray energy and intensity often vary greatly from one type of nucleus to another. For example, hydrogen nuclei emit 2.2-MeV gamma rays when bombarded by neutrons, while phosphorus nuclei emit 1.3-MeV gamma rays.
Neutron-induced gamma rays are measured by a high-purity germanium (HPGe) spectrometer and classified into spectra by the spectrometer electronics. By analyzing the spectrum, the chemical elements excited by the neutrons can be determined and the chemicals within the test object can be identified.
Run PINS
Developed specifically for field deployment, PINS3-CW-G2 is portable and rugged. Its components include a mechanically cooled spectrometer with integrated multi-channel analyzer, neutron generator, detector holder and shield, as well as a laptop computer for user interface. Custom software displays data in real time as it is collected and provides comprehensive monitoring and analysis options.
Laptop used as PINS3-CW-G2 control panel. The computer allows the user to initialize the instrument, start and stop data acquisition by the gamma-ray spectrometer, display and analyze the resulting gamma-ray spectrum. The connecting cable, 82 feet (25 meters) long, keeps the computer a safe distance from the radiation isolation zone and provides communication between the computer, gamma-ray spectrometer and neutron generator.
Trans-SPEC-N mechanically cooled high-purity germanium spectrometer
Unlike the liquid nitrogen-cooled HPGe spectrometer used in previous PINS systems, PINS3-CW-G2 uses trans-SPEC-N mechanically cooled HPGe spectrometer, which does not require liquid nitrogen. The electrical energy required to cool the spectrometer detector is approximately 30 watts. The trans-SPEC-N lithium-ion battery keeps the detector cool for 10 to 12 hours, and the external battery supports "hot swapping" for extended use of the instrument in the field. trans-SPEC-N provides a flexible, modular solution to support on-site detection of chemicals with the following features:
- LN2-Free - Miniature, high-reliability, "runable" Stirling cycle refrigerator requires no liquid nitrogen; detector element is encapsulated in a high-reliability, low-loss, all-metal sealed cryostat.
- High sensitivity - large (>50% relative efficiency) HPGe detector.
- High Stability - Digital electronics provide solutions for difficult analyzes under harsh conditions.
- Bright and clear - VGA resolution display and touch-sensitive operation screen.
- All-in-one integrated design - rugged and compact, no interconnections required - easy to install and use.
- Smart - nuclide identification and activity calculation for nine regions of interest (ROI).
- Reliable connectivity - USB 2.0 and wireless.
- 802.11 communications, built-in GPS and secure digital input/output (SDIO) storage of collected spectra.
- Flexible - Works with a variety of power sources, including internal battery, auxiliary external battery, car battery (any 12 V DC), and line power; switches automatically.
The miniGen Neutron Generator is a derivative of the popular P 385 neutron generator in a more compact format, with the DNC III control interface. The miniGen is 66% lighter and occupies 60% less space. All input and output signals are consolidated into two connectors on the front face.
The integrated front connectors have inputs for control of advanced functions such as a run timer, data logging, pulse counting, stand-by, and a facility interlock. The connectors have outputs for the source pulse and user adjustable Delay TTL signals.
The new design combines the accelerator head and control electronics into a single, compact unit.
Automated analysis of chemicals
The PINS data acquisition program records and displays spectral measurements from trans-SPEC-N. It also analyzes spectra recorded every 10 seconds, fits peaks of interest, recalibrates the energy scale and performs chemical analysis. The new chemical analysis method is based on the decision tree logic shown and identifies chemicals within the object being measured. The new probabilistic method traces each path in the decision tree and assigns a score to each chemical it may contain. Chemicals with a score are selected as included chemicals.
New chemical analysis methods are faster, more accurate, and more easily expand the list of chemicals that PINS can automatically identify. Currently, PINS automatic analysis software can identify the following chemicals.
| chemical warfare agents |
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