DT neutron generator as a source for a thermal neutron activation system for confirmatory land mine detection

Dean S. Haslip; Thomas Cousins; H. Robert Andrews; Jing Chen; Edward T. H. Clifford; Harry Ing; John E. McFee

doi:10.1117/12.450763

18 December 2001 DT neutron generator as a source for a thermal neutron activation system for confirmatory land mine detection

Dean S. Haslip, Thomas Cousins, H. Robert Andrews, Jing Chen, Edward T. H. Clifford, Harry Ing, John E. McFee

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4507, Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics III; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.450763
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A DT neutron generator has been integrated into the Canadian Improved Landmine Detection Program's Thermal Neutron Activation sensor. The generator has been redesigned from a commercial version, and the moderator structure around the generator has been completely redesigned. These developments allow the DT generator and its moderator structure to be placed interchangeably into the location currently occupied by a ²⁵²Cf source and its moderator structure. Experimental and calculational studies have helped to define the optimal operating parameters for the neutron generator in this application. Performance comparisons between the old californium-based system and the new DT-generator-based system have demonstrated that the new system out-performs the old in all tested scenarios, particularly when the mine is deeply buried or when the source is not directly over the explosive. This is in excellent agreement with calculations performed in the design phase of this system. Combined with the myriad other benefits associated with DT generators over isotopic sources, these results demonstrate the desirability of using a DT generator in a TNA land mine detection system.

Citation Download Citation

Dean S. Haslip, Thomas Cousins, H. Robert Andrews, Jing Chen, Edward T. H. Clifford, Harry Ing, and John E. McFee "DT neutron generator as a source for a thermal neutron activation system for confirmatory land mine detection", Proc. SPIE 4507, Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics III, (18 December 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.450763

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