Applications of the associated particle technique

The associated particle technique (APT) is a “neutron in - gamma out” non destructive characterization method recently brought out of the laboratory thanks to the development of transportable associated particle neutron generators. The possibility to determine a 3D map of the elements present in an inspected volume makes this technique very attractive in complement to X- or gamma-ray imaging. Since the last few years, the Nuclear Measurement Laboratory of CEA Cadarache, France, is studying several applications for homeland security and radioactive waste characterization, in the frame of national and European projects. Last achievements for the inspection of cargo containers or suspect objects abandoned in public area, underwater explosive detection or material identification in radioactive waste will be overviewed.