A device providing high-accuracy, high-speed detection of fissile materials, the device comprising two coaxially arranged cylinders: an inner cylinder made of lead, which acts as a gamma shield and as a neutron multiplier; and an outer cylinder made of polyethylene, which acts as a neutron thermalizer. A pedestal capable of vertical axial movement is disposed in the lower part of the inner cylinder. Fifteen helium-3 counters with cadmium filters can be built into the wall of the outer cylinder in a circle, parallel to the generatrix. An isotropic deuterium-tritium 14 MeV neutron generator can be mounted in the wall of the outer cylinder, perpendicular to the generatrix. In one aspect, before installation, a vessel and a structural material contained therein are subjected to gamma scanning. Then, using the movable pedestal, the vessel is mounted in the inner cylinder so the center of mass of the structural material is opposite detectors.

A diagnostic and inspection system is provided including a primary detection system, a secondary detection system, and at least one processor. The primary detection system is configured to acquire initial data of an object being analyzed. The secondary detection system includes at least one neutron source and at least one detector. The at least one detector is configured to acquire spectral emission data from the object generated responsive to neutrons provided by the at least one neutron source. The at least one processor is configured to acquire, from the primary detections system, the initial data from the object; determine a sub-portion of the object for further analysis using the initial data; direct at least one neutron beam from the at least one neutron source toward the sub-portion; acquire, from the secondary detector system, the spectral emission data from the object; and determine a presence of a substance using the spectral emission data.

A method of excitation transfer to a radioactive source is provided, the radioactive source having a natural radioactive decay rate. The method includes: energizing a stimulatory device coupled to a radioactive source, thereby exciting the radioactive source to decay at an enhanced rate that is higher than the natural radioactive decay rate. An excitation transfer apparatus includes: a support element; a radioactive source mounted on the support element, the radioactive source having a natural radioactive decay rate; a stimulatory device coupled to the support element; and a driver operatively connected to the stimulatory device to energize the stimulatory device, wherein upon energization, the stimulatory device excites the radioactive source which thereby decays at an enhanced rate that is higher than the natural radioactive decay rate.

A system for analyzing soil content of a field includes a data acquisition unit configured to detect gamma spectra of each of a plurality of soil samples, wherein a surface area of the field is divided into a plurality of portions and the plurality of soil samples comprises at least one soil sample from each of the plurality of portions, a navigation unit configured to detect geographic coordinates of each of the plurality of soil samples, a data analysis unit configured to associate the detected gamma spectra of each of the plurality of soil samples with the geographic coordinates of the soil sample and determine a weight percent of at least one element within each of the soil samples based on the detected gamma spectra, and an element content map unit configured to generate a map indicating concentration of the at least one element within the soil of the field.

Multiple tagged neutrons are emitted from an associated particle imaging neutron generator. The tagged neutrons penetrate a target material and interact with the target material nucleuswhich emits nucleus-specific gamma rays. A gamma ray detector detects all gamma raysincluding the nucleus-specific gamma rays. An alpha-gamma timing spectrum is constructed for all detected gamma rays. For a specific energy level (MeV) corresponding with the target material nucleus, a peak in the alpha gamma timing spectrum indicates the presence of the target material. Based on the peaking time of the gamma rays (due to tagged neutrons interaction with the target material nucleus) in the alpha-gamma timing spectrum for the specific energy level, the distance from the neutron generator to the target material can be calculated. The nucleus-specific gamma ray spectrum data can be effectively collimated by programming the system to detect the gamma rays in a time window corresponding to the peaking time.

Material analysis device (100) comprising a neutron generator (10) for emitting neutrons towards a material to be analysed in pulsed mode; an alpha particle detector (13) for locating the neutrons emitted in a given solid angle by detecting alpha particles associated with these neutrons; at least one gamma ray detector (14) for measuring energy of gamma photons generated by interaction of the neutrons emitted in the given solid angle with the material to be analysed; at least two Compton cameras (15), each for measuring energy of the gamma photons generated by interaction of the neutrons with the material to be analysed and for calculating an incidence cone of these gamma photos; and an electronic circuit adapted for three-dimensionally mapping the presence of at least one chemical element of interest in the material to be analysed based on data provided by the alpha particle detector (13), the gamma ray detector (14) and the Compton cameras (15).

The present invention relates a security screening device, comprising: a radiation generator for respectively generating X-rays and neutron beams and irradiating same toward an inspection object; an inspection object transfer unit for changing the position of the inspection object; a radiation detector configured to respectively detect X-rays and neutron beams transmitted through the inspection object; and a gamma ray detector installed adjacent to the inspection object and configured to detect a gamma signal generated from the inspection object, wherein the radiation detector acquires image information of the inspection object by using radiation information detected from the X-rays and neutron beams that have passed through the inspection object, and the gamma ray detector analyzes the detected gamma ray to detect the location of the inspection object from the analysis of the inspection object and the image information.

A method, and corresponding system, provides enhanced security threat detection. The method includes: irradiating a target from a stationary x-ray source having end-point energy of at least 88 keV; enabling target motion with respect to the stationary x-ray source; detecting resulting x-rays received from the target; generating an image of an interior of the target based on the resulting x-rays; performing analysis of the image for an indication of a weapon; producing signals representing an energy spectrum of the resulting x-rays; analyzing the signals for characteristic x-ray fluorescence that can be emitted from lead potentially present in the target; providing an indication, based on the signals, of a probability of lead ammunition being present; and outputting an indication of likelihood of a security threat based on the analysis of the image for the weapon indication and the probability of lead ammunition.

An excitation transfer in a nuclear state is energetically induced. The excitation transfer may be induced by heating a structure to which a nuclear species is mechanically coupled. The heating may be applied as a triangular heat pulse. The heating may generate a stress effect in the structure. The stress effect may produce vibratory phonons. The excitation transfer may include up-conversion. The excitation transfer may include radioactive decay. The decay rate of a radioactive species may be increased to a rate higher than the natural half-life of the radioactive species. Energy may be harnessed from decay of the radioactive species. A decay product having industrial or medical use may be rapidly produced. The decay rate of the radioactive species may be lowered to reduce emissions for safe storage or transportation.

An earth formation traversed by a borehole is investigated. A borehole tool having a neutron source and a photon detector is located in the borehole and used to obtain photon scatter information in or about the borehole. A chemical element located in a region in or about the borehole is quantified by using the photon scatter information and at least two different spectral standards for that element.