Detection of special nuclear material from delayed neutron emission induced by a dual-particle monoenergetic source

Mayer, Michael F.; Nattress, J.; Jovanovic, I.

doi:10.1063/1.4955051

Detection of special nuclear material from delayed neutron emission induced by a dual-particle monoenergetic source

Journal Article · Mon Jun 27 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4955051· OSTI ID:1282478

^[1]; Nattress, J. ^[2]; Jovanovic, I. ^[2]

The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

Detection of unique signatures of special nuclear materials is critical for their interdiction in a variety of nuclear security and nonproliferation scenarios. We report on the observation of delayed neutrons from fission of uranium induced in dual-particle active interrogation based on the ¹¹B(d,n γ)¹²C nuclear reaction. Majority of the fissions are attributed to fast fission induced by the incident quasi-monoenergetic neutrons. A Li-doped glass–polymer composite scintillation neutron detector, which displays excellent neutron/γ discrimination at low energies, was used in the measurements, along with a recoil-based liquid scintillation detector. Time- dependent buildup and decay of delayed neutron emission from ²³⁸U were measured between the interrogating beam pulses and after the interrogating beam was turned off, respectively. Characteristic buildup and decay time profiles were compared to the common parametrization into six delayed neutron groups, finding a good agreement between the measurement and nuclear data. Furthermore, this method is promising for detecting fissile and fissionable materials in cargo scanning applications and can be readily integrated with transmission radiography using low-energy nuclear reaction sources.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 1282478

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 22590627

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA--119002

Journal Information:: Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 26 Vol. 108; ISSN 0003-6951

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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