Neutron resonance spectroscopy for the characterization of materials and objects

Schillebeeckx, P.*; Becker, B.*; Harada, Hideo  ; Kopecky, S.*

The probability that neutrons interact with nuclei strongly depends on the energy of the incoming neutron. There are resonances at specific energies for each nuclide.Since resonances appear at energies that are specific for each nuclide, they can be used to determine the elemental and in some cases even the isotopic composition of materials and objects. The resonance structures in total and capture cross sections are the basis of Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) and Neutron Resonance Capture Analysis (NRCA), respectively. Principles of NRTA and NRCA are reviewed. Neutron Resonance Densitometry (NRD) combining NRTA and NTCA is also reviewed as a non-destructive method to characterize particle-like debris of melted fuel.