Sažetak
Nuclear analytical methods for location and identification of hidden explosives in various consignments (soil, baggage, shipping container) show a number of advantages in comparison with other methods. In particular, measurement of characteristic gamma rays spectra from A(n, n'γ )A reactions induced by 14 MeV neutrons on the constituents (H, C, N, O) can be an efficient method for identification and localization of hidden substances. The reduction of strong background radiation generated by the fast neutrons interactions with all surrounding material is a key point in the practical use of the fast neutrons. This background radiation can be strongly suppressed using the associated alpha particle method. In this report we present preliminary results obtained by this method at the Ruđer Bošković Institute. In the measurements the bulk samples of different substances: C, H2O, C3H6N6, and samples of soil, AP, and AT land mines were irradiated by 14.1 MeV neutrons. Resulting gamma ray spectra were measured with NaI(Tl) and BaF2 scintillators.
Ključne riječi
nuclear analytical methods; explosives; 14 MeV neutrons; land mines