The results obtained and shown here represent the first of a kind experimental demonstration of active interrogation of nuclear material using a short-pulse laser-driven neutron source. Following this initial experiment, more extended experimental campaigns were conducted with laser-driven neutron interrogation of interrogating uranium samples with variable (235)~U enrichment and of plutonium samples and will be reported in future publications Several features of the laser-driven neutron source make it particularly suitable for applications in nonproliferation safeguards and security. In our project we have been investigating the following applications: neutron interrogation of cargo (both for nuclear material, explosive and drug detection), standoff detection, treaty verification (warhead and nuclear material signatures) and stockpile stewardship and certification, spent nuclear fuel assay (at storage facility, in cask, and for nuclear debris from reactor accidents such as Fukushima). We are also pursuing laser-driven nuclear physics experiments, including cross section measurements, and neutron based medical therapy [2,4].
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