| IAEA-CN-115-60 · Plasma Accelerator for Detection of Hidden Objects by Using
Nanosecond Impulse Neutron Inspection System (NINIS)
V. Gribkov1,2, A. Dubrovsky2, L. Karpiński1, R. Miklaszewski1, M. Paduch1, M. Scholz1,
P. Strzyżewski1, K. Tomaszewski1
1Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion, Warsaw, Poland
2Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
Abstract: Nanosecond Neutron Analysis method and Fast Neutron Scattering Analysis technique, which
recently have been developed within the program of hidden objects interrogation by fast neutrons, noticeably
improve the problem of signal-to-noise ratio in comparison with previous practice. However they leave
difficulties connected with a high necessary fluence and relatively long investigation time to be practically
unresolved. The reason for it is too low brightness of neutron sources used (isotopes or classical diode-like
accelerators). We propose to bring into play a neutron source based on a plasma accelerator, which generates
very powerful pulses of neutrons in the nanosecond (ns) range of its duration. New generation of powerful
neutron sources of the Dense Plasma Focus type can generate neutron pulses not only short by its duration (in
the nano-second range), but provides a very high neutron yield in these pulses. Our device PF-6, recently put
into operation at the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion, Warsaw, Poland, has energy in its
capacitor storage 7.4 kJ. Operated with the DPF chamber of a special design it is reckoned on a current
maximum of the order of 800 kA with a quarter period of the discharge equal to 1 microsecond. It should
generate in one pulse of ≅ 10-ns duration up to circa 109 D-D (2.5-MeV) neutrons or 1011 DT (14-MeV)
neutrons. This feature gives a principal possibility to create a “single-shot detection system”. It means that all
necessary information will be received during a single very bright pulse of neutrons having duration in a
nanosecond range by means of the time-of-flight technique with a short flight base. It might be a foundation for
the creation of the Nanosecond Impulse Neutron Inspection System (NINIS). Because of these characteristics of
the neutron source the signal-to-noise ratio will be increased just proportionally to the decreased number of shots
(one instead of billions) whereas neutron fluence necessary to characterize hidden objects will be noticeably
decreased. Due to these features this technique can be used in inspection of potential suicide bombers. An
interrogation time in this case will now depend only on the data-processing system. In our report we present
characteristics of the device as well as first results on its tests for the goals of NINIS method.
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