Laser induced fast neutrons for possible activation analysis of explosive materials

A laser-induced fast neutron generation system was developed and operated repetitively for the potential applications in activation analysis. An ultra-intense Ti:sapphire laser with a 27-fs pulse width and a 900-mJ pulse energy was used for the neutron generation in combination with a deuterated polystyrene (C₈D₈) solid target. The neutron generation system was operated at a pulse repetition rate of 10 Hz for 20 minutes. The neutron yield and energy was measured by using a fast-time gating scintillation detector, a CR-39 detector, and a neutron activation analysis of gold. In addition, a prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) system was designed for the laser-induced neutrons.