PELAN applications and recent field tests

Juan J. Martinez; Daniel T. Holslin

doi:10.1117/12.565693

26 October 2004 PELAN applications and recent field tests

Juan J. Martinez, Daniel T. Holslin

Proceedings Volume 5541, Penetrating Radiation Systems and Applications VI; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.565693
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

When neutrons interact with particular nuclei, the resulting energy of the interaction can be released in the form of gamma rays, which are characteristic of the nucleus involved in the reaction. The PELAN (Pulsed Elemental Analysis with Neutrons) system uses a pulsed neutron generator and an integral thermalizing shield that induce reactions that cover most of the entire gamma ray energy spectra. The neutron generator uses a D-T reaction, which releases fast 14MeV neutrons responsible for providing information on those nuclei that mostly respond to inelastic scattering. During the time period between pulses, the fast neutrons undergo multiple inelastic interactions that lower their energy making them easier to be captured by certain nuclei; this energy spectrum of gamma rays induced by these interactions are designated as the gamma ray thermal spectra. The PELAN system has been used for a number of applications where non-intrusive, non-destructive interrogation is needed. Although Pulsed Fast Thermal Neutron Analysis (PFTNA) has been around for approximately 30 years, the technology has never been successfully commercialized for practical applications. The following report illustrates examples of the performance of on a number of applications of interrogation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), mine confirmation, large vehicle bombs inspection and illicit drug smuggling detection.

Citation Download Citation

Juan J. Martinez and Daniel T. Holslin "PELAN applications and recent field tests", Proc. SPIE 5541, Penetrating Radiation Systems and Applications VI, (26 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.565693

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