Detection of pulsed, bremsstrahlung-induced, prompt neutron capture gamma-rays with HPGe detector

Conference · Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996

OSTI ID:367238

Jones, J L

The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) is developing a novel photoneutron-based nondestructive evaluation technique which uses a pulsed, high-energy (up to 8-MeV) electron accelerator and gamma-ray spectrometry. Highly penetrating pulses of bremsstrahlung photons are produced by each pulse of electrons. Interrogating neutrons are generated by the bremsstrahlung photons interacting within a photoneutron source material. The interactions of the neutrons within a target result in the emission of elemental characteristic gamma-rays. Spectrometry is performed by analyzing the photoneutron-induced prompt gamma-rays acquired between accelerator pulses with a unique, high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray detection system using a modified transistor reset preamplifier. The detection system, the experimental configuration, and the accelerator operation used to characterize the detection system performance are described. Using a 6.5 MeV electron accelerator and a beryllium metal photoneutron source, gamma-ray spectra were successfully acquired for Al, Cu, polyethylene, NaC1, and depleted uranium targets as soon as 30 {mu}s after each bremsstrahlung (or x-ray) flash.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• OSTI ID: 367238
• Report Number(s): INEL-95/00590; CONF-960690-9; ON: DE96014113; TRN: 96:023290
• Resource Relation: Conference: 5. international conference on applications of nuclear techniques: neutrons in research and industry, Crete (Greece), 9-15 Jun 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

44 INSTRUMENTATION
INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS
66 PHYSICS
40 CHEMISTRY
HIGH-PURITY GE DETECTORS
PERFORMANCE
PROMPT GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA DETECTION
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
NUCLEAR REACTION ANALYSIS
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
CAPTURE
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
ACCELERATORS
ALUMINIUM
COPPER
POLYETHYLENES
SODIUM CHLORIDES
DEPLETED URANIUM