Material identification via dual particle transmission using a radioisotope source

A 3-in. deuterated liquid scintillator (EJ-315) was used to measure the transmission of neutrons and gamma rays from an Am-Be radioisotope source. The ratio of attenuation transmission of these particles through copper and lead was measured and showed good agreement to simulated data. A comprehensive Monte Carlo simulation using Geant4 was performed to test the feasibility of material identification using the 4.4-MeV gamma ray and neutron energy spectrum from an Am-Be source. Despite the broad energy range of neutrons intrinsic to the source, the calculated R values-based on simulated data-were independent of areal density, showing only slight variation. By exploiting the particle discrimination capability of an organic liquid scintillator, we were able to effectively measure the transmission of both particles through two different elements of different areal densities. This method enabled the material identification of pure elements using a single-source, single-detector type of combination. This object classification technique is easily performed in a laboratory setting and does not require large accelerators, multiple sources, or multiple detector types. The data discussed in this summary will be presented, as well as experimental results from additional materials with varying areal densities.