International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Research Applications and Utilization of Accelerators

4-8 May 2009, Vienna

SM/EN-P04

Portable Search Devices of Wide Application on the Basis of Radioisotope Switchable Neutron Source

L.K. Meskhi and L. Kurdadze

Nuclear and Radiation Safety service, Ministry of Environment of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia

Corresponding Author: leri.meskhi@gmail.com

Existing designs of radioisotope neutron search devices and indicators do not meet modern requirements of radiating safety to devices of wide application. Last decade was reached essential progress in working out of switched off sources of neutrons - Radioisotope Switchable Neutron Source (RSNS) and portable D–D neutron generators. Their use in portable search devices will provide radiating safety in a non-working position. It can become a basis for development of new generation of search devices of wide application.

In work the comparative analysis of application radioisotope SNS and tiny D–D neutron generators in search devices intended for prevention of illegal circulation of explosives, drugs, and also for detection of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) is carried out. Simple designs of radio isotope sources are offered and specifications on injector and target manufacturing are formulated. For maintenance of an exit of neutrons 105 n/s the contact area of an injector-target should make 110 cm2 for Am-Be pairs and 40 cm2 for Pu-Be pairs. In both cases a thickness the alpha of a radiating layer makes 0.1 - 0.2 μm.

For manufacturing of laboratory breadboard model of device on the basis of RSNS it is necessary to have access to nuclear technologies. We welcome interested persons possessing radiochemical technologies for cooperation.


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