Increased Range Neutron Response High Explosives Detection

A depth-sensitive Compton camera based on fast inorganic scintillators is proposed as a means to rapidly image high explosives and other organic materials at intermediate to long ranges. The feasibility of the method, established during the Phase I research, will be demonstrated during Phase II, when diagnostic and scaled prototype detectors will be implemented. When coupled to an intense pulsed neutron source, the fast response and sizable detection areas of BaF2 scintillators permit the rapid imaging of the environment in a relatively economical package. Furthermore, the vigorous competition from background gamma-rays can be managed by deploying a segmented detector, which permits the use of a single high intensity neutron pulse or a rapid series of smaller pulses. The main focus of the Phase II research is on implementing the detection scheme so that the imaging capability can be optimized. To that end, diagnostic detectors will be used during Year 1 of the research to develop the pulse sensing hardware and image reconstruction software that will be used in the full-scale imager. During Year 2, a scaled prototype will be implemented using detector elements optimized in size and configuration in a modular arrangement.