Preliminary identification of flags for a novel algorithm-based approach for explosives detection using neutron interrogation for a simulated idealized cargo container scenario

The use of all information provided by induced photons and scattered neutrons has the potential of optimizing the performance of fast neutron interrogation for explosives detection. A new method is proposed that involves the usage of flags relating the secondary radiation to the presence of explosives. These flags would consist of mathematical relationships among scattered neutrons at specific energies and angles, possibly combined with data concerning emitted photons from neutron inelastic scatter off light elements. This study involves the preliminary identification of potential flags by simulating a large RDX (C3H6N6O6) mass in an idealized cargo container using Monte Carlo radiation transport simulations. An analysis of the effect of changing hidden explosive mass and position on the detectability of the explosive was completed. Preliminary analysis revealed several promising algorithmic flags for the new method, although more realistic detection scenarios and experiment are needed to fully assess the approachʹs viability.