Measurement of 14MeV neutron-induced prompt gamma-ray spectra from 15 elements found in cargo containers

Appl Radiat Isot. 2008 Apr;66(4):421-34. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2007.11.011. Epub 2007 Dec 5.

Abstract

Within the EURopean Illicit TRAfficking Countermeasures Kit (EURITRACK) project, the gamma-ray spectra produced in a series of materials by 14-MeV tagged-neutron beams have been collected in the inspection portal equipped with large volume NaI(Tl) detectors, in order to build a database of signatures for various elements: C, N, O, Na, Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb. The measured spectra have been compared with prediction from Monte Carlo simulations to verify the consistency of the relevant nuclear data inputs. This library of measured 14-MeV neutron-induced gamma-ray spectra is currently used in a data processing algorithm to unfold the energy spectra of the transported goods into elementary contributions, thus allowing material identification.