Pilot full-scale demonstration of a prototype table-top neutron resonance transmission analysis system for nuclear material detection

Guembou Shouop, C. J.  ; Tsuchiya, Harufumi 

Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) is a powerful non-destructive assay for material characterisation, traditionally requiring large, fixed and costly facilities. Here, we present a compact NRTA system utilising a small Cf spontaneous neutron source to analyse nuclear materials, offering a mobile and cost-effective alternative to accelerator, D-T, or laser-driven neutron sources. The pilot design, with a total size of 130 cm 50 cm50 cm, has an unprecedentedly short flight path of 42 cm, enabling time-of-flight measurements on nuclear material samples. The system's performance is demonstrated through NRTA measurements of simulated samples, including indium, hafnium, and cadmium metal plates. The resulting transmission spectra allow accurate isotope identification below 5 eV. These results underscore the system's potential for enhancing nuclear security, safeguards, and nonproliferation, particularly in scenarios where mobility, rapid deployment, and flexibility are critical. This work is supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) under the subsidy for the "promotion for strengthening nuclear security and the like."