Active Detection of Small Quantities of Shielded Highly-Enriched Uranium Using Low-Dose 60-keV Neutron Interrogation

Conference · Wed Aug 16 04:00:00 EDT 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2007.04.190· OSTI ID:900071

Kerr, P; Rowland, M; Dietrich, D; Stoeffl, W; Wheeler, B; Nakae, L; Howard, D; Hagmann, C; Newby, J; Porter, R

Active interrogation with low-energy neutrons provides a search technique for shielded highly-enriched uranium. We describe the technique and show initial results using a low-dose 60 keV neutron beam. This technique produces a clear induced fission signal in the presence of small quantities of {sup 235}U. The technique has been validated with low-Z and high-Z shielding materials. The technique uses a forward-directed beam of 60 keV neutrons to induce fission in {sup 235}U. The induced fission produces fast neutrons which are then detected as the signature for {sup 235}U. The beam of neutrons is generated with a 1.93 MeV proton beam impinging on a natural lithium target. The proton beam is produced by a radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) LINAC. The 60 keV neutron beam is forward directed because the {sup 7}Li(p,n) reaction is just at threshold for the proton energy of 1.93 MeV.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 900071
• Report Number(s): UCRL-CONF-223845
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ACCELERATORS
DETECTION
FAST NEUTRONS
FISSION
LITHIUM
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRONS
PROTON BEAMS
PROTONS
QUADRUPOLE LINACS
SHIELDING MATERIALS
URANIUM