Abstract
This paper (constituting Part A) describes the transformational Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detector (TMFD) based method for “passive” detection of Special Nuclear Materials (SNMs) as related to nuclear security. Purdue University is developing novel, multi-purpose tension metastable fluid nuclear particle detectors by which multiple types of nuclear particles can be detected with high (90%+) intrinsic efficiency, spectroscopic capability, directional information, rapid response, large standoff and significant cost-savings compared with state-of-the-art systems. This paper focuses specifically on recent advances in the use of these novel detector systems for neutron spectroscopy. These techniques will then be discussed and evaluated in the context of area monitoring in waste processing applications with a focus on passive monitoring of radioactive source particles from SNMs. The companion paper (Part B) addresses TMFD technology as it pertains to active interrogation.
Highlights
The current global security and nuclear proliferation climate has introduced a need for game-changing detectors to fill specific needs in the global security landscape [1]
In a variety of situations pertaining to nuclear security it is especially, and extremely desirable to have access to passive neutron detectors with spectroscopic and directionality capabilities that are of high intrinsic efficiency, with gamma photon insensitivity, and which provide acceptably low falsepositives, e.g., from the well-known “ship effect” arising from cosmic particle-related interference radiation, in order to successfully detect and interdict SNM material being smuggled in shipping containers
The envisaged safeguard techniques employ metastable fluid detectors equipped with neutron spectrometry as area monitors as well as complementary systems composed of metastable fluid detectors fed material by sipping techniques and employing alpha spectrometry to monitor the waste streams directly
Summary
The current global security and nuclear proliferation climate has introduced a need for game-changing detectors to fill specific needs in the global security landscape [1]. In the current technological climate there is a clear and present fear that diversion ( of Pu isotopes) could be done (in the 8+ kg range from large processed inventories in the 1,000+kg/y range) without detection Stopping such an attack requires advanced real-time monitoring passive detection techniques for material accountability. The envisaged safeguard techniques employ metastable fluid detectors equipped with neutron spectrometry as area monitors as well as complementary systems composed of metastable fluid detectors fed material by sipping techniques and employing alpha spectrometry to monitor the waste streams directly In such an environment gamma insensitivity is of paramount importance as the fluence of gammas is enough to blind commonly used detectors (e.g., He-3, LiI, BF3 or NE-213) that are even partially sensitive to them [4]. The centrifugal system, hereafter CTMFD, brings the fluid to a tension metastable state by using the centrifugal force principle using the apparatus configuration shown in Figure 1; whereas, the acoustic system, hereafter ATMFD, puts the fluid in a metastable state with the rarefactions of an oscillating pressure field which is induced with coupled piezoelectric drivers Figure 2 [7]
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