Multispectral Gamma Detector for Explosives Analysis

The coupling of a neutron source and a Compton camera based on fast inorganic scintillation crystals is proposed as a means for imaging high explosives and other materials at intermediate ranges. The use of scintillators allows one to deploy relatively large active detection areas, which are crucial if short measurement times are going to be achieved. The temporal response of the fast scintillation component of the BaF2 crystals that we intend to use will not only mitigate pulse pile-up concerns and allow precise depth-imaging in pulsed applications, but it also enables the precise position-sensing of the gamma-ray interaction location. The main focus of the Phase I research is to develop a 3-element bar-detector design to validate the feasibility previously predicted through models and measurements, so that a scaled prototype device can be fabricated and tested in Phase II.