Thermal neutron analysis for improvised explosive device detection
Abstract
In this dissertation, the design of a system to detect improvised explosive devices is considered. The technique utilized is thermal neutron analysis. In this method, thermal neutrons are used to interrogate a volume for the presence of nitrogen, which is used as an indicator of explosive, given its unusual high energy line in the gamma ray spectrum generated by thermal capture reactions on explosive material. The performance of the system is then considered for a number of devices used to represent an improvised explosive device, including a 155 mm shell, an antitank mine, and a air to surface bomb. The system is shown to be capable of detecting IEDs within between 15.6 and 3800 seconds for HPGe detectors, and within 277 seconds for the best case scenario with NaI while more deeply buried explosives are shown to be undetectable by NaI.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Hirsch, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Nuclear physics
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.