Monte Carlo simulations to advance characterisation of landmines by pulsed fast/thermal neutron analysis

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes 2004-07, Vol.61 (1), p.35-42
• Main Authors: Mauc̆ec, M., Rigollet, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blast Injuries - prevention & control; Computer Simulation; Explosions - prevention & control; Land-mine characterisation; Monte Carlo Method; Monte Carlo simulation; Neutron Activation Analysis - methods; Pulsed neutron analysis; Warfare
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.02.014

The performance of a detection system based on the pulsed fast/thermal neutron analysis technique was assessed using Monte Carlo simulations. The aim was to develop and implement simulation methods, to support and advance the data analysis techniques of the characteristic γ-ray spectra, potentially leading to elemental characterisation of innocuous objects using the full spectrum analysis (FSA) approach. The simulations were carried out with a simplified tool, based on a 14 MeV DT pulse-neutron source and a bismuth–germanate detector. A MCNP-based method for de-coupling the radiation transport in mixed (n,γ) fields, to generate separate sets of standard detector γ-ray responses for individual elements, is outlined. When normalised and experimentally benchmarked in terms of the pulse-neutron source production rate, the standard spectra can be incorporated into algorithms for the FSA of in situ measurements and elemental fingerprinting of the inspected object.