The in-situ characterization for the dismantling of nuclear facilities

This article describes the main technologies used for the radiological characterization of nuclear facilities in view of their dismantling. Gamma cameras can be very compact and equipped with devices that can measure the dose rate or with laser telemeters to assess distances. The aim of the alpha camera is to locate alpha contaminated spots remotely. These cameras are based on the detection of the radio-luminescence of the N2 molecules of the air when alpha particles collide with them. Gamma spectrometry is another technique that allows the identification of gamma emitters such as Cs137 and Co60 in contaminated spots. The simulations given by 3-dimensional radiation transport codes are used to interpret the measurements. (A.C.)