TY - JOUR
T1 - Active detection of small quantities of shielded highly-enriched uranium using low-dose 60-kev neutron interrogation
AU - Kerr, Phil
AU - Rowland, Mark
AU - Dietrich, Dan
AU - Stoeffl, Wolfgang
AU - Wheeler, Boyd
AU - Nakae, Les
AU - Howard, Doug
AU - Hagmann, Chris
AU - Newby, Jason
AU - Porter, Robert
PY - 2007/8
Y1 - 2007/8
N2 - Active interrogation with low-energy neutrons provides a search technique for highly-enriched uranium concealed in cargo. 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 235U. The technique has been validated with low-Z and high-Z cargo materials. The technique uses a forward-directed beam of 60-keV neutrons to induce fission in 235U. Detection of the fast fission neutrons with pulse-shape discriminating scintillators is then the signature for 235U. 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 LINAC. The 60 keV neutron beam is forward-directed because the 7Li(p, n) reaction is just above threshold for a proton energy of 1.93 MeV.
AB - Active interrogation with low-energy neutrons provides a search technique for highly-enriched uranium concealed in cargo. 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 235U. The technique has been validated with low-Z and high-Z cargo materials. The technique uses a forward-directed beam of 60-keV neutrons to induce fission in 235U. Detection of the fast fission neutrons with pulse-shape discriminating scintillators is then the signature for 235U. 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 LINAC. The 60 keV neutron beam is forward-directed because the 7Li(p, n) reaction is just above threshold for a proton energy of 1.93 MeV.
KW - Active neutron interrogation
KW - Neutron-induced fission
KW - Pulse-shape discrimination
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34447259132&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.nimb.2007.04.190
DO - 10.1016/j.nimb.2007.04.190
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34447259132
SN - 0168-583X
VL - 261
SP - 347
EP - 350
JO - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
JF - Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
IS - 1-2 SPEC. ISS.
ER -