Contraband identification in sealed containers using neutron transmission

Thomas Gill Miller; P. K. Van Staagen; Blake C. Gibson; Ronald A. Krauss

doi:10.1117/12.267903

27 February 1997 Contraband identification in sealed containers using neutron transmission

Thomas Gill Miller, P. K. Van Staagen, Blake C. Gibson, Ronald A. Krauss

Proceedings Volume 2867, International Conference Neutrons in Research and Industry; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.267903
Event: Fifth International Conference on Applications of Nuclear Techniques: Neutrons in Research and Industry, 1996, Crete, Greece

Abstract

A neutron transmission spectrometer has been used to determine the presence of contraband substances in sealed containers. A pulsed 'white' neutron source was created by allowing a pulsed beam of 5 MeV deuterons to impinge on a thick beryllium target. The neutron intensity was measured from about 0.8 MeV to about 4 MeV, first with the sample out of the beam and then with the sample in the beam to determine the neutron attenuation as a function of neutron energy. The neutron attenuation can be considered as the signature of the sample and can be used by a trained neutral network to identify contraband directly. The neutron attenuation can also be used along with the total cross sections to determine the number density of H, C, N and O in the neutron beam. These number densities can be used in a trained neutral network to determine the presence of contraband. Previous work used collimated neutron beams to determine the signatures of many substances individually and when imbedded in suitcases. This work is now being extended to include the complete suitcase using a a cone beam of neutrons and an array detector which covers the complete suitcase.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas Gill Miller, P. K. Van Staagen, Blake C. Gibson, and Ronald A. Krauss "Contraband identification in sealed containers using neutron transmission", Proc. SPIE 2867, International Conference Neutrons in Research and Industry, (27 February 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.267903

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