Transport simulation and image reconstruction for fast-neutron detection of explosives and narcotics

Bradley J. Micklich; Charles L. Fink; Leonid Sagalovsky

doi:10.1117/12.219601

15 September 1995 Transport simulation and image reconstruction for fast-neutron detection of explosives and narcotics

Bradley J. Micklich, Charles L. Fink, Leonid Sagalovsky

Proceedings Volume 2511, Law Enforcement Technologies: Identification Technologies and Traffic Safety; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.219601
Event: European Symposium on Optics for Environmental and Public Safety, 1995, Munich, Germany

Abstract

Fast-neutron inspection techniques show considerable promise for explosive and narcotics detection. A key advantage of using fast neutron is their sensitivity to low-Z elements (carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen), which are the primary constituents of these materials. We are currently investigating two interrogation methods in detail: fast-neutron transmission spectroscopy (FNTS) and pulsed fast-neutron analysis (PFNA). FNTS is being studied for explosives and narcotics detection in luggage and small containers for which the transmission ration is greater than about 0.01. The Monte Carlo radiation transport code MCNP is being used to simulate neutron transmission through a series of phantoms for a few (3-5) projections angles and modest (2 cm) reolution. Areal densities along projection rays are unfolded from the transmission data. Elemental abundances are obtained for individual voxels by tomographic reconstruction, and the reconstructed elemental images are combined to provide indications of the presence or absence of explosives or narcotics. PFNA techniques are being investigated for detection of narcotics in cargo containers because of the good penetration of the fast neutrons and the low attenuation of the resulting high-energy gamma-ray signatures. Analytic models and Monte Carlo simulations are being used to explore the range of capabilities of PFNA techniques and to provide insight into systems engineering issues. Results of studies from both FNTS and PFNA technqiues are presented.

Citation Download Citation

Bradley J. Micklich, Charles L. Fink, and Leonid Sagalovsky "Transport simulation and image reconstruction for fast-neutron detection of explosives and narcotics", Proc. SPIE 2511, Law Enforcement Technologies: Identification Technologies and Traffic Safety, (15 September 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.219601

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