Gamma-resonance Contraband Detection using a high current tandem accelerator

Journal Article · Mon Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 1999 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.58973· OSTI ID:21205496

Milton, B F; Beis, J; Dale, D; Rogers, J; Ruegg, R ^[1]; Debiak, T; Kamykowski, E; Melnychuk, S; Rathke, J; Sredniawski, J ^[2]

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1. TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 2A3 (Canada)
2. Northrop Grumman Advanced Technology and Development Center, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, New York 11714-358 (United States)

TRIUMF and Northrop Grumman have developed a new system for the detection of concealed explosives and drugs. This Contraband Detection System (CDS) is based on the resonant absorption by {sup 14}N of gammas produced using {sup 13}C(p,{gamma}){sup 14}N. The chosen reaction uses protons at 1.75 MeV and the gammas have an energy of 9.17 MeV. By measuring both the resonant and the non-resonant absorption using detectors with good spatial resolution, and applying standard tomographic techniques, we are able to produce 3D images of both the nitrogen partial density and the total density. The images together may be utilized with considerable confidence to determine if small amounts of nitrogen based explosives, heroin or cocaine are present in the interrogated containers. Practical Gamma Resonant Absorption (GRA) scanning requires an intense source of protons. However this proton source must also be very stable, have low energy spread, and have good spatial definition. These demands suggested a tandem as the accelerator of choice. We have therefore constructed a 2 MeV H{sup -} tandem optimized for high current (10 mA) operation, while minimizing the overall size of the accelerator. This has required several special innovations which will be presented in the paper. We will also present initial commissioning results.

• OSTI ID: 21205496
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 473, Issue 1; Conference: 8. international conference on heavy-ion accelerator technology, Argonne, IL (United States), 5-9 Oct 1998; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.58973; (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ABSORPTION
BEAM CURRENTS
CARBON 13 TARGET
COCAINE
COMMISSIONING
CONTAINERS
EXPLOSIVES
GAMMA DETECTION
HEROIN
IMAGES
MEV RANGE
NITROGEN 14
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NUCLEAR REACTION ANALYSIS
PROTON REACTIONS
PROTON SOURCES
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RESONANCE
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
TANDEM ELECTROSTATIC ACCELERATORS