Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis For Cargo Inspection For Drugs And Terrorist Threats

A Pulsed Fast Neutron Analysis (PFNA) system for the inspection of cargoes and trucks has been designed to be relocatable. The modular packaging of the component subsystems allows it to be installed and relocated relatively quickly to meet shifting threats. A variety of deployment scenarios have been considered in the design. The material specific detection capabilities of the PFNA system have been extended beyond drugs and explosives to the detection of chemical weapons and special nuclear materials. An existing fixed-site PFNA system has been used to measure signals from a simulated chemical weapon (Sarin) concealed in a variety of cargoes; algorithms for the detection and location of the Sarin have been developed. A microsecond "macro-pulsing," added to the injector portion of the PFNA neutron production module, and added neutron detectors, allow measurement of delayed fission neutrons from concealed Special Nuclear Materials (SNM). Measurements carried out with an enriched uranium sample demonstrated that the concealed SNM can be detected in cargoes. This paper will give an overview of the development program and review measurement results.