Apparatus and method for detecting contraband using fast neutron activation
This patent describes a method of detecting contraband within an object under investigation. It comprises: generating a beam of case neutrons; irradiating the object with the beam of fast neutrons, the fast neutrons interacting with atomic nuclei of the elements contained within the object to produce a gamma-ray spectrum having spectral lines characteristic of the elements contained within the object; measuring the spectral lines of the gamma-ray spectrum using a multiplicity of gamma-ray detectors judiciously positioned around the object; detecting the number of neutrons that pass through the object without interacting substantially with atomic nuclei within the object; determining the spatial and density distributions of the atomic nuclei of the elements contained within the object from the measured gamma-ray spectrum obtained from the multiplicity of gamma-ray detectors and the number of neutrons that pass through the object; comparing the measured spatial and density distributions of the atomic nuclei of the elements within the object with known spatial and density distributions of atomic nuclei for elements characteristic of contraband; and determining that contraband is present within the object when the comparison indicates a substantial match.
- Assignee:
- Science Applications International Corp., San Diego, CA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 5098640
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-463025
- OSTI ID:
- 5217157
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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440103 -- Radiation Instrumentation-- Nuclear Spectroscopic Instrumentation
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
ATOMS
BARYONS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUIPMENT
FAST NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
GAMMA SPECTRA
HADRONS
INTERACTIONS
MEASURING METHODS
NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEONS
SECURITY
SPECTRA