Neutron interrogation system using high gamma ray signature to detect contraband special nuclear materials in cargo

US7359480B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US

Inventors

• Dennis R. Slaughter · Oakland, US
• Bertram A. Pohl · Berkeley, US
• Arden D. Dougan · San Ramon, US
• Adam Bernstein · Palo Alto, US
• Stanley G. Prussin · Kensington, US
• Eric B. Norman · Oakland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 3, 2004
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2008
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01T3/00
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system for inspecting cargo for the presence of special nuclear material. The cargo is irradiated with neutrons. The neutrons produce fission products in the special nuclear material which generate gamma rays. The gamma rays are detecting indicating the presence of the special nuclear material.