Contraband detection using high-energy gamma rays from {sup 16}O*

Technical Report · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1996

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/414388· OSTI ID:414388

Micklich, B J; Fink, C L; Sagalovsky, L; Smith, D L ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Technology Development Div.

High-energy monoenergetic gamma rays (6.13 and 7.12 MeV) from the decay of excited states of the {sup 16}O* nucleus are highly penetrating and thus offer potential for non-intrusive inspection of loaded containers for narcotics, explosives, and other contraband items. These excited states can be produced by irradiation of water with 14-MeV neutrons from a DT neutron generator or through the {sup 19}F(p,{alpha}){sup 16}O* reaction. Resonances in {sup 19}F(p,{alpha}){sup 16}O* at proton energies between 340 keV and 2 MeV allow use of a low-energy accelerator to provide a compact, portable gamma source of reasonable intensity. The present work provides estimates of gamma source parameters and suggests how various types of contraband could be detected. Gamma rays can be used to perform transmission or emission radiography of containers or other objects. Through the use of ({gamma}, n) and ({gamma}, fission) reactions, this technique is also capable of detecting special nuclear materials such as deuterium, lithium, beryllium, uranium, and plutonium. Analytic and Monte Carlo techniques are used to model empty and loaded container inspection for accelerator-produced gamma, radioisotope, and x-ray sources.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Office of National Drug Control Policy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 414388
• Report Number(s): ANL/TD/CP--91500; CONF-961113--3; ON: DE97000895; CNN: Contract TV-94591V
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES
40 CHEMISTRY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
FISSILE MATERIALS
FLUORINE 19 TARGET
GAMMA CASCADES
GAMMA RADIOGRAPHY
GAMMA SOURCES
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NUCLEAR REACTION ANALYSIS
OXYGEN 16
PHOTOFISSION
PROTON REACTIONS
THEORETICAL DATA
TRANSFER REACTIONS