Radiation Detection Equipment Markets: 2015 - 2022 Chapter

n-tech Research Report
Radiation Detection Equipment
Markets: 2015-2022
Issue date: June 15 2015
Report number: Nano-831
n-tech Research PO Box 3840 Glen Allen, VA 23058
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Radiation Detection Equipment Markets: 2015 – 2022
Report Description
Increasing concerns about nuclear terrorism and expanding use of medical
imaging continue to fuel the need for accurate radiation detection equipment.
Beyond traditional military and medical applications, industrial applications
are also providing growth opportunities over the next eight years. This
includes enhanced safety for nuclear power plants, as well as emerging
applications such as monitoring of food irradiation.
This report builds on the almost five years that n-tech has been covering the
radiation detection equipment and materials markets. It identifies where the
opportunities will be found in the radiation detection equipment market over
the next eight years and it quantifies n-tech’s analysis in the form of an eight-
year shipments and revenue forecast. These forecasts are broken down by
type of equipment, end application, and geography. Our coverage in this
report includes a broad range of radiation detection equipment, from personal
dosimeters and handheld devices to radiation detection portals and aerial
surveillance.
We assess the commercial implications of how the latest radiation detection
equipment is speeding up detection, reducing false alarms, and offering better
software support to enable more accurate detection and data tracking. And
we examine the trend toward smaller and less-expensive devices. The report
also examines how regulatory regimes in nuclear power and healthcare are
shaping the need for radiation detection equipment.
The report also analyzes the new product development and strategies of
leading suppliers as they strive to meet the needs of customers in a range of
industries. Companies covered include Berkeley Nucleonics, Canberra,
Kromek, Landauer, Mirion, Polimaster, Rapidscan, Thermo Fisher Scientific,
and others.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary
E.1 Recent Growth in Industrial Applications
E.2 Continuing Demand for Domestic Security and the Military Equipment
E.3 Accelerating Development of Medical Imaging
E.4 Continued Improvement Equipment Capabilities and Controlling Cost
E.5 Key Firms to Watch

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E.6 Summary of Eight-Year Forecasts for Radiation Detection
E.6.1 Summary by Equipment Type
E.6.2 Summary by Application
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background to this Report
1.1.1 Changes since Last Report
1.1.2 Trends in Equipment for Radiation Detection
1.1.3 Trends in Radiation Detection Demand
1.1.4 Detecting Gamma and Neutron Radiation
1.2 Objectives and Scope of this Report
1.3 Methodology of this Report
1.4 Plan of this Report
Chapter Two: Industrial Safety and Scientific Applications
2.1 Monitoring Factories, Laboratories and Personnel
2.2 Safety for Nuclear Power Plants
2.2.1 Global Plans for Nuclear Power since Fukushima
2.2.2 Trends in Detection Equipment used at Nuclear Power Plants
2.2.3 Key Suppliers of Radiation Detection Equipment for Nuclear Power Plants
2.3 Radiation Detection Requirements for the Food Industry
2.3.1 Impact of Government Guidelines
2.3.2 Dosimeters and Detectors Markets
2.4 Scrap Metal Recycling Requirements for Radiation Detection
2.5 Oil and Mining Industry Requirements for Radiation Detection
2.6 High Energy Physics and the needs of National Laboratories for Radiation
Detection
2.7 Key Points from this Chapter
Chapter Three: Applications Focused on Security: Military and Domestic Security
3.1 The Landscape of Radiation Detection Equipment for Security Applications
3.1.1 Types of Radiation Detection Devices in use
3.1.2 Key Equipment Suppliers for Security Applications
3.2 Addressing the Threat of Nuclear Weapons
3.2.1 Global Concerns about Weapons Proliferation
3.2.2 The Need for Radiation Detection Equipment
3.3 Homeland Security: Protecting Ports of Entry and Cities
3.3.1 Protecting Ports and Borders
3.3.2 Addressing the Needs of First Responders
3.3.3 Security at Special Events
3.4 Military Uses for Radiation Detection
3.4.1 Portable Detection Devices for Use in Security Applications
3.4.2 Opportunities for Larger Scale Systems
3.5 Key Points from this Chapter
Chapter Four: Medical Applications for Radiation Detection Equipment
4.1 Technology Advances and Geographical Trends
4.1.1 Technology Trends

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4.1.2 Improving Dosage Tracking
4.1.3 Key Equipment Suppliers of Medical Radiation Detection Equipment
4.1.4 Global Demand for Services
4.2 Regulatory and Policy Changes Affecting the Market
4.2.1 Accreditation of Medical Facilities: Impact on Market
4.2.2 Health Insurance Policy: Impact on Market
4.3 Nuclear Medicine: Diagnostic Equipment and Radiation Detection
4.3.1 Hybrid Imaging Systems
4.3.2 The Role of Radiation Detection
4.4 Nuclear Medicine: Radiotherapy
4.4.1 Image-Guided Radiotherapy
4.4.2 Equipment Trends for Radiotherapy
4.5 Trends in X-Ray Imaging
4.5.1 The Transition to Digital Imaging: Impact on Radiation Detection Equipment
Market
4.5.2 The Future of Computed Tomography (CT)
4.5.3 Prospects for Suppliers
4.6 Pharmaceutical Industry Applications for Radiation Detection Equipment
4.6.1 Radiation Detection Needs
4.6.2 Development of Radiopharmaceuticals
4.7 Key Points from This Chapter
Chapter Five: Eight-Year Forecasts of Radiation Detection Equipment
5.1 Forecast Methodology
5.2 Forecasts by Type of Equipment
5.3 Forecasts by Application
5.3.1 Nuclear Power Plant Demand
5.3.2 Other Industrial Applications
5.3.3 Scientific and Research Demand
5.3.4 Homeland Security Demand
5.3.5 Military Demand
5.3.6 Nuclear Medicine Demand
5.3.7 X-Ray Imaging Demand
5.3.8 Pharmaceutical Industry
5.4 Forecasts by Geography Demand
Related Reports:
Radiation Detection Materials Markets: 2015-2022
Radiation Detection In Industrial and Scientific Markets: 2015-2022
Radiation Detection In Domestic Security and Military Markets: 2015-2022
Radiation Detection In Medical and Healthcare Markets: 2014-2021

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Chapter One: Introduction
1.1 Background to this Report
1.1.1 Changes since Last Report
The past year in the radiation detection market, has seen some trends accelerating. One
example is the need for mobile and portable systems and increasing integration with
smart phones and tablets. Radiation detection equipment, just like equipment in many
other industries, is becoming smarter, allowing users to be able to record and access data
easily.
Demand for personal radiation monitoring is on the increase. Consumers are increasingly
worried about radiation exposure. This concern leads to an increased demand for
wearable monitoring devices as well as pressure on industries and governments to better
protect workers and the public by stepping up monitoring efforts.
1.1.2 Trends in Equipment for Radiation Detection
A wide range of equipment is used for radiation detection. Some of this has been used
successfully for decades and is not going to see a lot of technical innovation. Instead, it
will gradually be replaced by equipment that can demonstrate improved performance in
a smaller form factor, and ideally at a lower cost. In applications where equipment size is
not a concern, there is still a drive toward improved performance and better data analysis.
 Survey Meters. Geiger Muller (GM) counters are the most common type of survey
meters for determining the exposure rates to radioactive elements that emit
gamma or X-rays, alpha and beta particles, and neutrons. Although GM counters
will continue to be sold, especially for first responders, the trend is toward replacing
these devices with detectors that use scintillating materials.
 Personal Radiation Detectors. PRDs are pocket-sized and are worn on the body
for rapid detection of radioactive materials in the wearer’s immediate vicinity. Since
these instruments are relatively inexpensive and small enough to be worn on the
body, individuals working anywhere they might be exposed to radiation commonly
wear such an instrument.
PRDs are becoming available in an increasing array of form factors, beyond the
pager size devices typically worn by first responders. For example, some
companies make PRDs that are the size of credit cards. n-tech Research believes
that the trend of size reduction in personal detectors – whether worn on the body
or held in the hand – will continue and accelerate.

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Most PRDs detect and alert the user to changes in the measured radiation
background that are above a selectable alarm threshold setting. More advanced
versions of PRDs called spectrometric PRDs are useful in indicating the presence
of specific radionuclides.
Low-power consumption and long battery life is an advantage, and we expect that
manufacturers will continue to make advances that improve these factors.
 Dosimeters. Handheld dosimeters – either flat badges or rings – provide a low-
cost method of measuring total accumulated radiation dosage over a period of
time. They can also be used to effectively search people, packages, and vehicles.
The electronics within dosimeters are becoming more sophisticated with the
availability of miniature, inexpensive microprocessors. Dosimeters themselves are
becoming smaller as photomultiplier tube size shrinks.
 Color Indicating Detectors. These are plastic or paper cards with dots that
change color in response to a specific dosage of radiation. They can act as a quick,
inexpensive solution for first responders or for civilians exposed to a radiation
accident, identifying people in need of medical attention or locations in need of
evacuation or other action.
 Cell Phones as Radiation Detectors. There are two options here, one that uses
an app to transform a smart phone into a basic GM counter without any additional
hardware, and another that adds hardware within the phone to make a detector
with higher resolution capabilities.
 Backpack-Based Systems. Backpack-based radiation monitoring provides a
portable, mobile method of detecting dangerous substances. They are efficient,
allowing roving personnel to search an area reasonably quickly, without having to
implement more expensive options such as helicopter-based screening.
As detectors become smaller, we expect to see more backpack-based units
increase capabilities for covert radiation detection in both civil and military
applications.
 Radiation Detection Portals. Portals are primarily large, fixed systems used to
track movement of vehicles at national borders. They can be used to screen both
vehicles – including cars, trucks, and trains – and the cargo inside. There is a need
to replace aging portals installed in the U.S. in the early 2000s, as well as interest
in expanding portal detection in developing countries and adding increased
security to train stations.

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Pedestrian radiation portals represent an area for future growth. These may be fixed,
as in systems used at airports, or portable and mobile for use at special events.
n-tech Research believes that smart phones are going to play an increasing role in
radiation detection. This can take several forms:
 Apps that take advantage of the gamma radiation sensing abilities of existing smart
phone cameras to make a cell phone into a radiation detector. Although such
detectors are not highly sensitive, they are a low-cost way to enable consumers to
monitor radiation levels. This use is not especially important from the viewpoint of
the radiation detection equipment market.
 Software that pairs highly sensitive handheld or portable radiation detection
devices with smart phones to enable easier data tracking, and also remote
monitoring of devices in areas of high radiation. Future generations of equipment
will likely make more extensive use of this type of technology.
 Networking of multiple detectors in order to monitor a wide area in a less costly
manner than aerial surveillance. This is especially important for protecting cities
from nuclear terrorism and also for ensuring the safety of nuclear power plants.
1.1.3 Trends in Radiation Detection Demand
Nuclear power: The next few years will see more emphasis on radiation monitoring at
nuclear power plants, and n-tech Research sees this sector providing increasing
opportunities for suppliers of radiation monitoring equipment.
There is still a desire to make use of nuclear power in order to meet the energy needs for
the world but there is an increased emphasis on safety. The nuclear power industry can
ill-afford any more accidents and the public wants more assurance that nuclear power
plants are being monitored in a robust fashion. Stringent radiation monitoring, with
sensitive devices that are cost-effective, will be critical to the future of the nuclear power
industry.
National security: In the homeland security realm, the emphasis is on covert detection.
The trend toward smaller devices supports this goal by, for example, replacing large,
clunky detectors with small devices that can be placed in backpacks. We also see more
of a merging of wearable, networked electronics and radiation detection to enable first
responders to rapidly communicate information about enhanced levels of radiation.
Medical imaging: Medical imaging is a relatively mature market that does not have huge
growth potential, but n-tech Research believes that it will remain strong. The primary
driver is reducing the dose of radiation that the patient receives, and incorporating
detectors that can accurately measure dosage.

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The related field of radiotherapy has more growth potential. This is true both in developed
nations, where aging populations result in an increased number of cancer cases per
capita, and in developing countries, where new resources are being invested to provide
patients with local treatment options.
Industrial markets: While most radiation detection equipment suppliers are focusing on
today's lucrative markets in security and medical imaging, we expect to see more growth
in a variety of industrial applications. In a general sense, this means monitoring industrial
workers for radiation exposure. Beyond the medical imaging field and nuclear power,
there is demand in pharmaceutical, automotive, aerospace, and oil and gas industries.
Industrial markets also include the specialized detection needs of particular industries.
Food irradiation: Food irradiation is not by any means a new concept but it is finally on
the verge of achieving a level of consumer acceptance that may allow it to actually be
implemented on a larger scale. It is therefore an emerging application from the viewpoint
of radiation detection.
Scrap metal recycling: This represents a niche but strong market, where increased
emphasis on environmentally friendly manufacturing places a greater emphasis on
radiation monitoring.
1.1.4 Detecting Gamma and Neutron Radiation
The primary need in radiation detection has been for equipment that can detect beta,
gamma, and X-ray radiation. The key technology here is materials-based, and future
improvements hinge on development of more sensitive detection materials.
Improvements in electronics and software are also important. Changes are happening in
several categories:
 Gas-filled devices. Products using GM counters and other proportional counters
are cost-effective, but they are gradually being replaced by more sensitive devices
in applications where such sensitivity matters. There will still be demand for gas-
filled devices, but this demand will diminish over time.
 Scintillators. Demand for legacy materials such as sodium iodide and cesium
iodide will continue, since they provide good performance at a reasonable cost. At
the same time, a large variety of newer inorganic and organic scintillators promised
improved performance. As cost comes down and manufacturing processes
improve, these materials will take a larger share of the market.
 Semiconductors. These materials provide the highest performance in terms of
resolution and sensitivity, but at a high price. Development of semiconductor-

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based detectors that can operate at room temperature will likely lead to gradual
replacement of high purity germanium (HPGe), which requires cryogenic cooling.
 Photomultiplier tubes. Photomultiplier tubes are becoming smaller and may
eventually be replaced by solid-state devices based on silicon. This is in line with
the trend toward smaller devices with embedded electronics.
 Software advances. New algorithms for improved signal-to-noise ratios are
improving the sensitivity of radiation detection equipment. Rather than replacing
old equipment, manufacturers are now more likely to get a software upgrade to
improve performance.
Neutron detection is becoming increasingly important, and we are seeing greater demand
for detectors that can measure both gamma and neutron radiation. Advances in both
materials and software are enabling devices that can more accurately detect neutrons in
environments with large background gamma radiation.
The emphasis in neutron detection is replacing 3He, which is limited in supply and
restricted from use in many applications. The latest generation materials are providing
much better performance than the original boron- and lithium-based materials used for
this purpose.
1.2 Objectives and Scope of this Report
The objective of this report is to give a detailed analysis of the current and emerging
trends in radiation detection equipment. n-tech Research has been covering the radiation
detection industry for almost five years. This report is a complete update to our last major
radiation detection equipment report, issued in 2014, with new eight-year forecasts
through the year 2022.
This report covers a broad spectrum of applications that require radiation detection. We
discuss applications in industries that are driving growth in radiation detection, as well as
other industries that are experiencing slower growth but also represent important markets
for radiation detection equipment. We cover the following application categories:
 Homeland security, including border protection, transportation, and protecting
individual personnel
 Military applications, which have some overlap with homeland security but slightly
different requirements in terms of cost and performance
 Medical applications, including X-ray imaging, nuclear medicine diagnostics, and
radiotherapy

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 Industrial applications, especially those that affect health and safety of workers and
the public, with a focus on nuclear power plants
 Scientific and research uses, including high-energy physics at national laboratories
The scope of this report extends to a range of radiation detection equipment, from badge
dosimeters to large radiation detection portals.
Our coverage reflects the growing trend toward mobile radiation detection and also the
continuing need to replace aging larger equipment in established markets and install new
equipment in developing regions of the world. This report also discusses specialized
equipment used in particular industries.
By necessity, we discuss to some extent the trends in materials being used for radiation
detection, but the primary focus is on equipment. For a detailed analysis of materials, see
our most recent report, Radiation Detection Materials Markets – 2015-2022, published in
March 2015.
This report is global in scope, both in terms of suppliers and end markets. The U.S. and
Europe have historically been the primary consumers of radiation detection equipment.
But awareness is growing worldwide and suppliers are expanding their global reach
throughout Asia and the rest of the world.
1.3 Methodology of this Report
The methodology of this report is similar to that for all n-tech reports. We have synthesized
data from a wide variety of sources to provide a sense of the current state of the radiation
detection equipment market.
We have then identified and analyzed the trends in the industry with the goal of showing
where the main opportunities will be found over the next eight years. We rely on both
primary and secondary research to inform our forecasts and opinions.
Primary research includes interviews with representatives from companies in various
parts of the supply chain. This includes companies that make detectors and dosimeters,
as well as companies that buy this equipment in order to serve the needs of their
customers.
Secondary research comes from company websites, press releases, government and
industry reports, trade press articles, and white papers. We analyze this information in
order to understand the trends in the industry and forecast future developments.
We have also taken some background information from previously published n-tech
Research reports on radiation detection.

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This includes both reports on radiation detection equipment and radiation detection
materials, as the two topics are interrelated. In all cases we reevaluate previously
published information in light of the current market and adjust it appropriately to reflect
current conditions and our sense of where the industry is headed.
1.4 Plan of this Report
This report is organized primarily by end application categories, with three chapters
devoted to specific groups of applications. Within each of these chapters we discuss the
specific radiation detection equipment needed to meet the demands of the given
industries.
Chapter Two covers industrial and scientific applications. The chapter begins by
discussing general industrial needs and moves on to cover radiation detection needs
related to nuclear power plants, food irradiation, scrap metal recycling, and the oil and
mining industry. This chapter also discusses the needs of scientific laboratories, with a
focus on national laboratories and high energy physics.
Chapter Three addresses security applications, especially the need to protect populations
from the threat of nuclear weapons. This chapter discusses radiation detection
requirements for both domestic security and the military.
Chapter Four covers medical applications of radiation detection, including both X-ray and
nuclear medicine for diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other ailments. The needs of
the pharmaceutical industry, while briefly touched upon in Chapter Two, are covered
primarily in Chapter Four.
Chapter Five includes eight-year forecasts of volume and revenue for radiation detection
equipment used in all the industries discussed in the previous three chapters. This
chapter includes granular forecasts broken down by type of equipment, application, and
geographical location.

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