A simulation study of detection technique of HEU based on muon capture with neutron production

Abstract

The detection technique of high enriched uranium (HEU) based on the muon capture with neutron production is a novel detection technique of nuclear material, and is expected to be used in the detection of HEU in concealed containers, the monitoring of the reactors in nuclear submarines and the warhead verification in nuclear disarmament. Nowadays, this technique is still under primary theoretical and experimental research. In this paper, this technique is studied by means of numerical simulation, aiming at evaluating the detection results of this technique to HEU. First, the muon capture and detection simulation program was developed, and the physical models of this technique were established. The rate of the events of the muon capture of HEU with neutron production was analyzed, and the calculation result agrees well with the literature. Second, the backgrounds of this technique were analyzed, and the intensities and influence of all kinds of backgrounds were quantized. The research results show that, the backgrounds of this technique can be depressed well, and would not inhibit the detection of the events of the muon capture with neutron production. Third, the detection limits of this technique were evaluated. When the measurement time is 103s, for the scintillation detector with a size of 100cm × 100cm × 10 cm, the detection limit of the mass of HEU 50 cm away from the detector is about 1 kg under a confidence level of 95%. Finally, the physical models containing multiple uranium cubes were established, and the muon trace driving imaging algorithm with good anti-noise ability was proposed and verified by means of numerical simulation.