New technique may detect concealed nuclear materials
Q. A new technique has been designed to detect concealed nuclear radiation. The technique relies on the combination of
1) High energy electrons
2) High-energy photons
3) Neutrons- Published on 28 Apr 16a. 1, 2
b. 1, 3
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 2, 3
- Scientists have designed a novel low-energy nuclear reaction imaging technique to detect the presence of nuclear materials such as weapons-grade uranium and plutonium in cargo containers.
- The technique could significantly improve the ability to prevent the smuggling of dangerous nuclear materials and their potential diversion to terrorist groups, researchers said.
- The method relies on a combination of neutrons and high-energy photons to detect shielded radioactive materials inside the containers.
- The technique can measure the suspected materials density and atomic number using mono-energetic gamma ray imaging, while confirming the presence of special nuclear materials by observing their unique delayed neutron emission signature.
- The technique begins with an ion accelerator producing deuterons, heavy isotopes of hydrogen. The deuterons impinge on a target composed of boron, which produces both neutrons and high-energy photons.
- The resulting particles are focused into a fan shaped beam that could be used to scan the cargo container.
- The transmission of high-energy photons can be used to image materials inside the cargo container, while both the photons and neutrons excite the special nuclear material - which then emits gamma rays and neutrons that can be detected outside the container.
- Transmission imaging detectors located in the line of sight of the interrogating fan beam of photons create the image of the cargo.
