Radiation detection system for portable gamma-ray spectroscopy

A portable gamma ray detection apparatus comprising:

• a gamma ray detector;
• a compact isolation structure having at least two volumetrically-nested enclosures successively encapsulating the detector with adjacent enclosures suspension-mounted to each other via suspension-mounting means and at least one of the enclosures comprising a thermal shield, for thermally isolating the detector;
• a cooler capable of cooling the detector to cryogenic temperatures without consuming cryogens due to the heat load reduction by the isolation structure and the reduction in the power requirements of the cooler caused thereby;
• means for spectroscopically processing the gamma ray data and determining isotopes therefrom;
• and
• a lightweight portable power source for supplying power to the apparatus, including to the cooler and the processing means, and reducing the weight of the apparatus to enable handheld operation or toting on a user's person.