Chapter 5 - Nuclear Technologies

• Published in: Aspects of Explosives Detection pp. 59 - 87
• Main Author: Griffin, P.J.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 2009
• ISBN: 9780123745330; 9780444549365; 0444549366; 9780080923147; 0123745330; 0080923143
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-374533-0.00005-2

This chapter focuses on the nuclear technologies used in the detection of explosives. Nuclear explosive detection approaches typically use particles to probe the nucleus of the target material, where the interrogation procedure involves the measurement of transmitted/emitted neutron or gamma radiation. Trade-offs in the detector selection involve the sensitivity of the detector, interferent reactions, cost of the detector material, logistic issues such as the need for cryogenic cooling, and possibility of radiation damage to the detector during the measurement process from other types of radiation in the operational environment. As neutrons have the ability to penetrate deep into dense materials, neutron interrogation is proposed for explosive detection in small items, such as passenger bags, as well as for large cargo containers. Non-neutron-based detection, on the other hand, is based on probing the atom with other particles, such as photons, protons, or muons, or by electromagnetic interrogation. Despite the various advantages, nuclear technologies also have some important disadvantages. The nuclear detection approaches have to obtain state and federal licenses to field the equipment and abide by applicable health and safety regulations, which increase cost and restrict the easy movement of the detection equipment to new locations. The operations and maintenance personnel who come into close proximity to the radioactive source material are required to use personal dosimeters to monitor their yearly exposure to radiation, which leads to logistic issues and added costs. Negative public perception of radiation is also another factor, as most people have difficulty in putting into perspective low probability high consequence events.