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Title: A Kinematically Beamed, Low Energy Pulsed Neutron Source for Active Interrogation

Abstract

We are developing a new active interrogation system based on a kinematically focused low energy neutron beam. The key idea is that one of the defining characteristics of SNM (Special Nuclear Materials) is the ability for low energy or thermal neutrons to induce fission. Thus by using low energy neutrons for the interrogation source we can accomplish three goals, (1) Energy discrimination allows us to measure the prompt fast fission neutrons produced while the interrogation beam is on; (2) Neutrons with an energy of approximately 60 to 100 keV do not fission 238U and Thorium, but penetrate bulk material nearly as far as high energy neutrons do and (3) below about 100keV neutrons lose their energy by kinematical collisions rather than via the nuclear (n,2n) or (n,n') processes thus further simplifying the prompt neutron induced background. 60 keV neutrons create a low radiation dose and readily thermal capture in normal materials, thus providing a clean spectroscopic signature of the intervening materials. The kinematically beamed source also eliminates the need for heavy backward and sideway neutron shielding. We have designed and built a very compact pulsed neutron source, based on an RFQ proton accelerator and a lithium target. We are developingmore » fast neutron detectors that are nearly insensitive to the ever-present thermal neutron and neutron capture induced gamma ray background. The detection of only a few high energy fission neutrons in time correlation with the linac pulse will be a clear indication of the presence of SNM.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
US Department of Energy (US)
OSTI Identifier:
15011412
Report Number(s):
UCRL-CONF-207137
Journal ID: ISSN 0168-583X; TRN: US0501208
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Journal Volume: 241; Journal Issue: 1-4; Conference: Presented at: Conference on Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry, Fort Worth, TX (US), 10/11/2004--10/15/2004; Other Information: PBD: 7 Oct 2004
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS; 73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; ACCELERATORS; FAST FISSION; FAST NEUTRONS; FISSION NEUTRONS; LINEAR ACCELERATORS; LITHIUM; NEUTRON BEAMS; NEUTRON REACTIONS; NEUTRON SOURCES; NEUTRONS; PROMPT NEUTRONS; RADIATION DOSES; THERMAL NEUTRONS; THORIUM

Citation Formats

Dietrich, D, Hagmann, C, Kerr, P, Nakae, L, Rowland, M, Snyderman, N, Stoeffl, W, and Hamm, R. A Kinematically Beamed, Low Energy Pulsed Neutron Source for Active Interrogation. United States: N. p., 2004. Web. doi:10.1016/j.nimb.2005.07.139.
Dietrich, D, Hagmann, C, Kerr, P, Nakae, L, Rowland, M, Snyderman, N, Stoeffl, W, & Hamm, R. A Kinematically Beamed, Low Energy Pulsed Neutron Source for Active Interrogation. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2005.07.139
Dietrich, D, Hagmann, C, Kerr, P, Nakae, L, Rowland, M, Snyderman, N, Stoeffl, W, and Hamm, R. 2004. "A Kinematically Beamed, Low Energy Pulsed Neutron Source for Active Interrogation". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nimb.2005.07.139. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/15011412.
@article{osti_15011412,
title = {A Kinematically Beamed, Low Energy Pulsed Neutron Source for Active Interrogation},
author = {Dietrich, D and Hagmann, C and Kerr, P and Nakae, L and Rowland, M and Snyderman, N and Stoeffl, W and Hamm, R},
abstractNote = {We are developing a new active interrogation system based on a kinematically focused low energy neutron beam. The key idea is that one of the defining characteristics of SNM (Special Nuclear Materials) is the ability for low energy or thermal neutrons to induce fission. Thus by using low energy neutrons for the interrogation source we can accomplish three goals, (1) Energy discrimination allows us to measure the prompt fast fission neutrons produced while the interrogation beam is on; (2) Neutrons with an energy of approximately 60 to 100 keV do not fission 238U and Thorium, but penetrate bulk material nearly as far as high energy neutrons do and (3) below about 100keV neutrons lose their energy by kinematical collisions rather than via the nuclear (n,2n) or (n,n') processes thus further simplifying the prompt neutron induced background. 60 keV neutrons create a low radiation dose and readily thermal capture in normal materials, thus providing a clean spectroscopic signature of the intervening materials. The kinematically beamed source also eliminates the need for heavy backward and sideway neutron shielding. We have designed and built a very compact pulsed neutron source, based on an RFQ proton accelerator and a lithium target. We are developing fast neutron detectors that are nearly insensitive to the ever-present thermal neutron and neutron capture induced gamma ray background. The detection of only a few high energy fission neutrons in time correlation with the linac pulse will be a clear indication of the presence of SNM.},
doi = {10.1016/j.nimb.2005.07.139},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/15011412}, journal = {},
issn = {0168-583X},
number = 1-4,
volume = 241,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Oct 07 00:00:00 EDT 2004},
month = {Thu Oct 07 00:00:00 EDT 2004}
}

Conference:
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