Nuclear detection technologies

The following sections present a summary of the physics that underlies the nuclear detection technologies, a survey of neutron-based detection approaches, and an overview of non-neutron-based nuclear detection technologies. 

The following subsections present background material on the physics and nomenclature used to address the nuclear detection technologies. The subsections are divided into neutron- and non-neutron-based nuclear detection methods. 

The most significant issue with the fielding of a neutron-based explosive detection technology is pubfic perception. Most people have difficulty putting into perspective low probabihty high consequence events. This has resulted in the word nuclear being associated with health risks and environmental issues even when detailed analysis shows that there is no issue. 

V. Leung, P. Shea, F. Liu, M. Sivakumar, Fusion of the Nuclear and Different X-ray Technologies for Explosive Detection, Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Explosive Detection Technology, pp. 311—318, 13—15 November 1991. US Department of Transportation, February 1992. 

Sensitivity to trace elements. The sensitivity obtained by activation analysis is a function of the neutron cross-section of the element in question, available neutron flux, length of irradiation, resolution of the detector, matrix composition, and the total sample size. Hence, increasing neutron fluxes, increased irradiation times, and the major advances in nuclear detector technology in the areas of increased efficiency and resolution have pushed the detection limits of most elements of interest to the very low levels. 

Li Dongcang, Yang Lei, Tian Yong, et al. 2008. Study of a nuclear pulse shaped circuit base in Sallen-Key filter[J]. Nuclear Electronics Detection Technology 28(3) 563-566. 

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