Cargo inspection system based on pulsed fast neutron analysis

摘要

This paper describes an automated cargo inspection system (CIS) based on pulsed fast neutron analysis (PFNA). The system uses a pulsed beam of fast neutrons to interrogate the contents of small volume elements - voxels - of a cargo container or truck. The neutrons interact with the elemental contents of each voxel and gamma rays characteristic of the elements are collected in an array of detectors. The elemental signals and their ratios give unique signatures for drugs, explosives, and contraband. From the time of arrival of the gamma rays, the position of the voxel within the truck is determined. Full- scale physics simulation of time-dependent neutron and gamma ray interactions in various cargo materials have aided in the design of the system. These simulations have been benchmarked against laboratory measurements. A scaled model of the PFNA CIS is in operation in SAIC's PFNA facility and has been used to demonstrate the detection of drugs and other contraband concealed in a full-size cargo container with a variety of contents. A full-scale system is presently being designed and fabricated for the U.S. Government's Cargo Container Inspection Technology Testbed at Tacoma, Washington. This system is designed to scan five or more trucks per hour and is scheduled to come into operation in July 1995.