Direct Use of {sup 252}Cf for Land-Mine Detection

Conference · Sun Nov 12 00:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:786886

Hussein, Esam M. A.; Waller, Edward J

The use of {sup 252}Cf for detection of explosives has traditionally focused on employing thermal-neutron activation (TNA). However, the need to moderate the source to produce the required thermal neutrons wastes most of the original source and makes the detection device quite bulky. This and the relatively low-activation cross section demand the use of an intense source, thus requiring extensive shielding that further hinders the portability of the device. We have, therefore, undertaken a conceptual study to determine whether useful information to detect a small antipersonnel land mine can be obtained by direct use of the source's fast neutrons and the accompanying gamma rays. This study indicated that the presence of a land mine can be detected in principle by direct use of a {sup 252}Cf source via the amount of thermal neutron produced (indicative of hydrogen content), by the amount of neutrons below 100 keV (indicative of both hydrogen and carbon content), by the change in the spectrum of fast neutrons (indicative of nitrogen and oxygen content), and by the amount of scattered source photons (indicative of density). By combining these indicators, the presence of most other innocuous materials can be excluded. The engineering challenges currently being addressed include the elimination of direct exposure of the detector to the source particles, the effect of shielding, and adequately distinguishing between fast and slow neutrons without having to utilize the complex process of unfolding the detector's response to obtain the neutron energy spectrum.

• Research Organization: University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick (CA)
• Sponsoring Organization: none (US)
• OSTI ID: 786886
• Report Number(s): ISSN 0003-018X; CODEN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X; CODEN TANSAO; TRN: US0109365
• Resource Relation: Conference: 2000 International Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology: Supporting Sustainable Development Worldwide (2000 ANS Winter Meeting), Washington, DC (US), 11/12/2000--11/16/2000; Other Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Volume 83; PBD: 12 Nov 2000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
CROSS SECTIONS
DETECTION
FAST NEUTRONS
SLOW NEUTRONS
THERMAL NEUTRONS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
CALIFORNIUM 252
GAMMA RADIATION
RADIATION DETECTORS
DESIGN
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NEUTRON DETECTION
GAMMA DETECTION