Comparison of analysis results based on flight methods using a CZT detector system on an unmanned aerial vehicle near the Fukushima nuclear power plant

Abstract An airborne survey system named the MARK-A1 was previously developed to be mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle for the purpose of application in contaminated areas with high dose rate levels. The MARK-A1 system consists of a CZT detector, signal processing unit, and positioning and interface units linked to a PC on the ground. The weight of the system is below 1 kg for loading on a commercial drone. In the current work, for experimental verification, field testing was conducted in a high dose rate environment near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. With the cooperation of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, the MARK-A1 was installed on an unmanned aerial vehicle to conduct airborne surveys using two flight methods, namely a flat flight and a step flight, at various speeds. The airborne survey data were converted to gamma dose rates at a height of 1 m above the ground using a flat source model to create contamination maps. For a comparative evaluation of the airborne survey results, an in situ survey was also conducted in the survey area, and it was confirmed that the step flight method better matched the surface survey results.