Non-intrusive method to identify presence of nuclear materials using energetic prompt neutrons from neutron-induced fission

摘要

Methods and systems for non-intrusively detecting the existence of fissile materials in a container via the measurement of energetic prompt neutrons are disclosed. The methods and systems use the unique nature of the prompt neutron energy spectrum from neutron-induced fission arising from the emission of neutrons from almost fully accelerated fragments to unambiguously identify fissile material. These signals from neutron-induced fission are unique and allow the detection of any material in the actinide region of the nuclear periodic table.

主权项

1. A method of detecting a presence of a material comprising an actinide in a container, comprising:
a) locating at least one neutron detector such that said detector views said container at a first angle relative to a first incident continuous neutron beam; b) illuminating at least a portion of said container with said first incident continuous neutron beam, wherein said first incident continuous neutron beam comprises neutrons with a first predetermined incident neutron energy >1 MeV.; c) detecting, in at least one said neutron detector viewing said container at the first angle, a plurality of prompt neutrons produced by a fission interaction of said first incident continuous neutron beam with at least a portion of said container; d) for at least one of said detected prompt neutrons, determining a minimum energy of said detected prompt neutron; and e) based upon the determined minimum energy of a predetermined quantity of said detected prompt neutrons exceeding a predetermined value, determining that the material comprising the actinide is present in the container.