APSTNG: Neutron interrogation for detection of nuclear and CW weapons, explosives, and drugs

Conference · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:10150440

Rhodes, E; Dickerman, C E; De Volpi, A ^[1]; Peters, C W ^[2]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
2. Nuclear Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Springfield, VA (United States)

A recently developed neutron diagnostic probe system has the potential to satisfy a significant number of van-mobile and fixed- portal requirements for nondestructive verification of sealed munitions and detection of contraband explosives and drugs. The probe is based on a unique associated-particle sealed-tube neutron generator (APSTNG) that interrogates the object of interest with a low-intensity beam of 14-MeV neutrons generated from the deuterium-tritium reaction and that detects the alpha-particle associated with each neutron. Gamma-ray spectra of resulting neutron inelastic scattering and fission reactions identify nuclides associated with all major chemicals in chemical warfare agents, explosives, and drugs, as well as many pollutants and fissile and fertile special nuclear material. Flight times determined from determined from detection times of the gamma-rays and alpha-particles yield a separate tomographic image of each identified nuclide. The APSTNG also forms the basis for a compact fast-neutron transmission imaging system that can be used along with or instead of the emission imaging system; a collimator is not required since scattered neutrons are removed by ``electronic collimation`` (detected neutrons not having the proper flight time to be uncollided are discarded). The small and relatively inexpensive APSTNG exhibits high reliability and can be quickly replaced. Proof-of-concept experiments have been performed under laboratory conditions for simulated nuclear and chemical warfare munitions and for explosives and drugs.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 10150440
• Report Number(s): ANL/CP--76141; CONF-9205157--5; ON: DE92015183
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350300
440103
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
DETECTION
DRUGS
EVALUATION
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRON GENERATORS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTATION
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
ORDNANCE
PORTABLE EQUIPMENT
VERIFICATION