Development of active neutron NDA techniques for nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security, 2; PGA measurements

Furutaka, Kazuyoshi  ; Ozu, Akira  ; Maeda, Makoto  ; Komeda, Masao   ; Toh, Yosuke   

Currently, in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) has conducted a program to develop non-destructive analysis (NDA) techniques for nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear security. One of the aims of the program is to develop detection methods for highly explosives (HE) in the so-called "dirty bombs" as well as toxic materials in chemical warfare (CW) agents, with prompt -ray analysis technique. In the course of the program, we have constructed an integrated active neutron non-destructive assay system named "Active-N" in which a compact DT neutron source is utilized and which is equipped with a high-purity germanium detector for PGA measurements. To evaluate whether the prompt rays can be detected from the constituent elements of HEs and CWs, using the PGA part of the system, a series of measurements were done. For HE detection, the target element is Nitrogen. For CW detection, the measurements were done for the following elements: Phosphorus, Chlorine, Sulfur, Boron, Silicon, Titanium, and Zinc. In this paper, the results of the measurements will be presented.