Status of the prototype Pulsed Photonuclear Assessment (PPA) inspection system
The Idaho National Laboratory, in collaboration with Idaho State University's Idaho Accelerator Center and the Los Alamos National Laboratory, continues to develop the Pulsed Photonuclear Assessment (PPA) technique for shielded nuclear material detection in large volume configurations, such as cargo containers. In recent years, the Department of Homeland Security has supported the development of a prototype PPA cargo inspection system. This PPA system integrates novel neutron and gamma-ray detectors for nuclear material detection along with a complementary and unique gray scale, density mapping component for significant shield material detection. This paper will present the developmental status of the prototype system, its detection performance using several INL Calibration Pallets, and planned enhancements to further increase its nuclear material detection capability.
Pulsed photoneutron interrogation: The GNT demonstration system
The Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) has developed and tested an active photon interrogation technique to support the Department of Energy`s (DOE) Office of National Security and Nonproliferation (NN) mission related to verification technologies development. The INEL concept, referred to as the Gamma-Neutron Threshold (GNT) technology, uses a transportable, field-deployable, selective-energy (2 to 10 MeV), pulsed, electron accelerator to produce energetic X-rays having a bremsstrahlung spectrum. The energetic X-rays induce neutrons in many proliferation-limited items via direct photoneutron/photofission interactions. The time-dependent neutron response, as a function of the electron beam energy, is measured with a tripod-mounted, detector assembly and a portable data acquisition system. The portable detector assembly has been specifically designed to operate in very intense, pulsed X-ray environments. The GNT technique measures both the prompt and delayed neutron emission after each accelerator pulse. This report fully describes each component of this system and presents various signature results based on these emissions.
Photonuclear-based, nuclear material detection system for cargo containers☆
Abstract The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has been developing electron accelerator-based, photonuclear inspection technologies for over a decade. A current need, having important national implications, has been with the detection of smuggled nuclear material within air- and, especially, sea-cargo transportation containers. This paper describes the latest pulsed, photonuclear inspection system for nuclear material detection and identification in cargo configurations, the numerical responses of 5 kg of a nuclear material placed within selected cargo configurations, and the technology’s potential role in addressing future inspection needs.