Monte Carlo Simulations of the Response of Shielded SNM to a Pulsed Neutron Source
Active interrogation (AI) has been used as a technique for the detection and identification of Special Nuclear Material (SNM) for both proposed and field-tested systems. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has been studying this technique for systems ranging from small systems employing portable electronic neutron generators (ENGs) 1 to larger systems employing linear accelerators as high-energy photon sources for assessment of vehicles and cargo2. In order to assess the feasibility of new systems, INL has undertaken a campaign of Monte Carlo simulations of the response of a variety of masses of SNM in multiple shielding configurations to a pulsed neutron source using the MCNPX3 code, with emphasis on the neutron and photon response of the system as a function of time after the initial neutron pulse. We present here some preliminary results from these calculations. 1. D.L. Chichester and E.H. Seabury, “ Using Electronic Neutron Generators in Active Interrogation to Detect Shielded Nuclear Material,” IEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science 56 (2009) pp 441-447. 2. J.L. Jones et al., “Photonuclear-based, nuclear material detection system for cargo containers,” Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 241 (2005) pp 770-776. 3. D.B. Pelowitz, “MCNPXTM User’s Manual version 2.6.0,” Los Alamos National Laboratory Report LA-CP-07-1473 (2008).
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE - NA
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 993189
- Report Number(s):
- INL/CON-10-18563; TRN: US1007990
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International Conference on the Application of Accelerators on Research and Industry,Fort Worth, TX,08/08/2010,08/13/2010
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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