A Cargo Inspection System for Special Nuclear Material (SNM) Based on Associated Particle Neutron Generators and Liquid-Kr Detectors

Journal Article · Tue Mar 10 04:00:00 EDT 2009 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3120130· OSTI ID:21289624

Koltick, David S; Kane, Steven Z ^[1]

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1. Purdue University Applied Physics Laboratory 740 Navco Dr., Lafayette, IN 47906 (United States)

A feasibility analysis is presented of a cargo inspection system based on neutron-induced fission followed by the coincident detection of multiple prompt fission gamma rays as a signature of Special Nuclear Material (SNM). The system does not require gamma ray spectroscopy and would be capable of distinguishing U-238 from U-235 using the ratio of signals from two modes of detection: thermal neutron capture induced fission and fast neutron-induced fission. The system utilizes two deuterium-tritium (DT) associated particle neutron generators, each capable of 10{sup 9} neutrons/s at 14.1 MeV, with sub-nanosecond timing resolution ZnO:Ga alpha detectors. The expected {approx}1 MeV prompt gamma rays are detected using liquid krypton (LKr) detectors with sub-nanosecond timing resolution ({approx}600 ps) and high detection efficiency. The expected SNM signal and randomly correlated background rates are discussed using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) code.

• OSTI ID: 21289624
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1099; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
CARGO
COINCIDENCE SPECTROMETRY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
D-T OPERATION
FAST NEUTRONS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSION
GAMMA DETECTION
INSPECTION
LIQUID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
M CODES
MEV RANGE
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NEUTRON GENERATORS
PROMPT GAMMA RADIATION
SECURITY
THERMAL NEUTRONS
URANIUM 235
URANIUM 238