Nuclear data needs and sensitivities for illicit substance detection using fast-neutron transmission spectroscopy

Conference · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:10149259

Micklich, B J; Harper, M K; Sagalovsky, L; Smith, D L

Results from analysis of fast-neutron transmission spectra in the interrogation of luggage for illicit substances are quite sensitive to the neutron total cross section data employed. Monte Carlo and analytical techniques are used to explore the uses for such data and to demonstrate the sensitivity of these results to various total cross sections employed in the analysis. The status of total cross section information required for materials commonly found in containers having both illicit and benign substances, with particular attention to the matter of data uncertainties, is considered in the context of the available nuclear data. Deficiencies in the contemporary nuclear data base for this application are indicated and suggestions are offered for new measurements or evaluations.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 10149259
• Report Number(s): ANL/TD/CP--81180; CONF-940507--6; ON: DE94011524
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

663610
665100
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ALGORITHMS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
CROSS SECTIONS
DETECTION
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NEUTRON PHYSICS
NEUTRON SPECTROSCOPY
NEUTRON TRANSPORT
NUCLEAR DATA COLLECTIONS
NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES IN CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
PHYSICAL PROTECTION