Fissile material detection using a prompt fission neutron chamber system

The calculations supporting the design of a chamber system to detect and verify fissile material in items such as mail packages or luggage are described. Stimulated neutrons from fission are separated from those produced by the system 14 MeV neutron generators by time delay. The proposed system design has a chamber volume of 60×60×90 cm. It is anticipated that at least 1 g of fissile material could be detected in as little as 5 s of interrogation.