Advanced active interrogation sources for remote detection of special nuclear material

AWE has recently commenced a research programme to develop techniques for the remote detection of illicitly trafficked, special nuclear material. Three techniques that are being investigated as part of this programme utilise an active interrogation source to stimulate a radiation signature within SNM. A photonuclear technique and nuclear resonance fluorescence require an active gamma source while a technique stimulating fission with low energy neutrons requires a low energy neutron source. The potential for consolidation of the photonuclear and neutron technique is discussed. Conceptual designs of intense, pulsed, ion beam diodes to generate suitable sources of 6-7 MeV gamma photons for the photonuclear technique and <100 keV neutron sources for the active neutron technique are presented. The sources required for remote detection via the 60 keV neutron or photofission techniques are contrasted with the source requirements for nuclear resonance fluorescence.