Year
2014
Abstract
Neutron emission is a key signature to detect nuclear material. Thus, neutron detection plays a significant role in securing our homeland from the threat of nuclear terrorist attacks. With the shortage of 3He for neutron detection, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has been sponsoring the development of 3He alternatives for neutron detection and evaluating the performance of alternative technologies developed by both industry and government sponsorship. Neutron detection alternatives suitable for use in portal monitors, vehicle-mounted detectors, human portable detectors, and handheld detectors have all been rigorously evaluated since 2009. A comparison of the performance capability for neutron detection of 3He- based and various alternative nuclear and radiological detection technologies tested will be presented.