SNM detection by means of thermal neutron interrogation and a liquid scintillation detector

Abstract

The feasibility of using a pulsed neutron generator in a graphite assembly together with a single liquid scintillation detector for the detection of special nuclear materials is investigated. Thermal source neutrons induce fission in fissile material present in the sample. By means of pulse shape discrimination the detector signals from fast fission neutrons are easily identified among the signals from gamma rays and the interrogating thermal neutrons. The method has potential in applications for detection of special nuclear materials in shielded containers. © 2012 IOP Publishing Ltd and Sissa Medialab srl.