APSTNG: radiation interrogation for verification of chemical and nuclear weapons

A neutron diagnostic probe system which has the potential to satisfy a significant number of van-mobile and fixed-portal requirements for nondestructive verification of sealed munitions is described. The probe is based on a unique associated-particle sealed-tube neutron generator (APSTNG) that interrogates a treaty-limited item (TLI) with a low-intensity beam of 14 MeV neutrons generated from the deuterium-tritium reaction and that detects the alpha-particle associated with each neutron. Gamma-ray spectra of resulting neutron inelastic scattering and fission reaction identify nuclides associated with all major chemicals in chemical warfare agents, explosives, and drugs, as well as many pollutants and fissile and fertile special nuclear material. Flight times determined from detection times of the gamma-rays and alpha-particles yield a separate tomographic image of each nuclide. The APSTNG also forms the basis for a compact fast-neutron transmission imaging system that can be used along with or instead of the emission imaging system. The small and relatively inexpensive APSTNG exhibits high reliability and can be quickly replaced.<>