Chapter 14 - Field Detection of Nuclear Materials

Abstract

Unconventional radiological and nuclear threats in the form of an improvised device that produces a devastating nuclear explosion, or a "dirty bomb," which releases deadly radiation, remain a serious international security concern. Preventing such attacks requires a layered defense with multiple elements including intelligence, law enforcement, search and emergency response, and consequence management. Essential to each of these layers are technical systems capable of detecting and/or characterizing special nuclear materials (SNM) and/or other radioactive threat materials such as intense industrial radionuclides. All nuclear and radiological threat detection technology relies on measuring either emitted radiation signatures or signatures that can be induced by interrogating the threat material with other radiation. This chapter introduces the scientific basis of and technology used in the detection of nuclear and radiological materials.