Applications of Prompt Gamma Ray Neutron Activation Analysis: Detection of Illicit Materials

摘要

Prompt gamma ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is an efficient nondestructive multi-elemental detection technique for samples such as metals, coal (mineral), cement, and radioactive materials as well as for explosives, chemical warfare agents, various narcotics, land mines, etc. The technique can be used in the laboratory or for on-site analysis for various samples. In addition, the PGNAA technique in elemental analysis can provide more accurate detection results with low false alarm in variety of application fields when combined with image scanning and chemometric treatment of the obtained data. The development of small-sized neutron generators enabled and widened these applications because a stationary nuclear reactor is no longer an indispensible element in PGNAA.