GEANT4 Simulations of Prompt Neutron Detection Using Neutron Time-Correlation Methods

Abstract

Active neutron interrogation has been computationally investigated for examination of large sealed capsules containing unknown radioactive materials. The detection of fission interactions is crucial to determining if a potentially dangerous object contains fissile material. The technique focuses on delayed neutrons resulting from in-beam irradiation of fissile materials, and could be further enhanced using a detector which detects prompt neutron emission while omitting signals due to irradiation neutrons. This paper reports on the initial Geant4 simulation work undertaken to simulate prompt neutron detection using neutron time-correlation methods, and demonstrates the ability to distinguish a fission neutron source from an (α,n) neutron source.