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Gamma/neutron time-correlation for special nuclear material detection – Active stimulation of highly enriched uranium

Journal Article · · Annals of Nuclear Energy
A series of simulations and experiments were undertaken to explore and evaluate the potential for a novel new technique for fissile material detection and characterization, the timecorrelated pulse-height (TCPH) method, to be used concurrent with active stimulation of potential nuclear materials. In previous work TCPH has been established as a highly sensitive method for the detection and characterization of configurations of fissile material containing Plutonium in passive measurements. By actively stimulating fission with the introduction of an external radiation source, we have shown that TCPH is also an effective method of detecting and characterizing configurations of fissile material containing Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU). The TCPH method is shown to be robust in the presence of the proper choice of external radiation source. An evaluation of potential interrogation sources is presented.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); US Department of Homeland Security (DHS); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (NA-20)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000; NA0002534
OSTI ID:
1096490
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 22389512
OSTI ID: 1365680
Report Number(s):
SAND--2013-7442; SAND--2014-0707J; PII: S0306454914002667
Journal Information:
Annals of Nuclear Energy, Journal Name: Annals of Nuclear Energy Journal Issue: C Vol. 72; ISSN 0306-4549
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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