Detection of special nuclear materials with tagged neutrons

Abstract

The Associated Particle Technique can be used to detect Special Nuclear Materials in cargo containers. A DT neutron generator, based on the 3H(2H,n)α fusion reaction, produces 14 MeV neutrons which are tagged both in direction and time with an embedded alpha detector. Prompt neutrons and gamma rays emitted during neutron-induced fissions are detected by plastic scintillators, in coincidence with the alpha particle. Nuclear materials are differentiated from non-nuclear materials and crosstalk events using high multiplicity coincidences. The data acquisition electronics is made of compact FPGA boards. Experiments performed with a mock-up of the measurement system are reported and compared to calculations to validate numerical simulation and post-processing tools. Measurements have been performed with different targets made of iron, lead, or uranium, placed in metallic or wood cargo matrixes. The performances of a full scale cargo container inspection system, with a larger number of detectors optimized for container inspection, are also studied by numerical simulation. Random background due to neutrons which are not correlated with an alpha particle, counting statistics, time and energy resolutions of the data acquisition system, are all taken into account to model the measurements as realistically as possible. A wide range of inspections, with the suspicious item in different positions in different cargo matrixes, have been studied.