Subthreshold neutron interrogator for detection of radioactive materials

Patent · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:863575

Evans, Michael L ^[1]; Menlove, Howard O ^[1]; Baker, Michael P ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

A device for detecting fissionable material such as uranium in low concentrations by interrogating with photoneutrons at energy levels below 500 keV, and typically about 26 keV. Induced fast neutrons having energies above 500 keV by the interrogated fissionable material are detected by a liquid scintillator or recoil proportional counter which is sensitive to the induced fast neutrons. Since the induced fast neutrons are proportional to the concentration of fissionable material, detection of induced fast neutrons indicate concentration of the fissionable material.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4201912
• OSTI ID: 863575
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/376/250/
26
500
active material
active materials
below
concentration
concentrations
counter
detected
detecting
detection
device
energies
energy
energy level
energy levels
fast
fast neutron
fast neutrons
fissionable
fissionable material
indicate
induced
interrogated
interrogating
interrogator
kev
levels
liquid
liquid scintillator
material
materials
neutron
neutrons
photoneutrons
proportional
proportional counter
radioactive
radioactive material
radioactive materials
recoil
scintillator
sensitive
subthreshold
typically
uranium