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Title: Material identification based upon energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1222632

Various technologies pertaining to identifying a material in a sample and imaging the sample are described herein. The material is identified by computing energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons that is caused by presence of the sample in travel paths of the neutrons. A mono-energetic neutron generator emits the neutron, which is downscattered in energy by a first detector unit. The neutron exits the first detector unit and is detected by a second detector unit subsequent to passing through the sample. Energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons passing through the sample is computed based upon a computed energy of the neutron, wherein such energy can be computed based upon 1) known positions of the neutron generator, the first detector unit, and the second detector unit; or 2) computed time of flight of neutrons between the first detector unit and the second detector unit.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Number(s):
9,151,852
Application Number:
14/296,332
OSTI ID:
1222632
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2014 Jun 04
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Variable-ratio neutron-gamma ray source patent November 2009
Neutron-gamma ray tomography patent January 2010
Procedure and facility for providing proof of dangerous goods in pieces of baggage patent-application March 2007
Neutron-gamma ray tomography patent-application March 2009
High spatial resolution fast-neutron imaging detectors for Pulsed Fast-Neutron Transmission Spectroscopy journal May 2009
Fast neutron resonance radiography for elemental imaging: theory and applications journal August 2002

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