Accelerator shielding design for PFNA applications
- SAIC, Santa Clara, CA (United States)
The Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) method utilizes the capability of high-energy neutrons to penetrate deeply and stimulate the emission of characteristic gamma rays that can be detected and used to identify and image the emitting chemical elements. The PFNA method interrogates the object using a directional beam consisting of short bursts of fast neutrons from a pulsed deuteron accelerator, with the neutrons generated in a deuteron gas target. In order to study the performance of the PFNA system, a National Electrostatics Corporation (NEC) Pelletron accelerator was acquired and installed at the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) facility in Santa Clara, California. The NEC Pelletron accelerator produces 6- or 12-MHz pulses of up to 6-MeV deuterons with a beam current that will reach up to 100 [mu]A. There are several identifiable radiation sources during operation of the PFNA system: (1) neutron production target and deuteron beam stop; (2) neutrons and gamma rays from the interrogation area; (3) X rays generated inside the accelerator because of free electrons between the accelerator tube segments, which are at different potentials; and (4) neutrons and gamma rays generated by deuteron striking limiting apertures within the acceleration column.
- OSTI ID:
- 6840499
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-931160--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Vol. 69; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
430100* -- Particle Accelerators-- Design
Development
& Operation
ACCELERATORS
BARYONS
DESIGN
DOSE RATES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FAST NEUTRONS
FERMIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
RADIATION PROTECTION
RADIATIONS
SHIELDING