The Nuclear Car Wash: Neutron interrogation of cargo containers to detect hidden SNM

LLNL is actively involved in the development of advanced technologies for use in detecting threats in sea-going cargo containers, particularly the presence of hidden special nuclear materials (SNM). The “Nuclear Car Wash” (NCW) project presented here uses a high-energy (En≈3.5–7.0MeV) neutron probe to scan a container and then takes high-energy (Eγ⩾2.5MeV), β-delayed γ-rays emitted during the subsequent decay of any short-lived, neutron-induced fission products as a signature of fissionable material. The components of the proposed system (e.g. neutron source, gamma detectors, etc.) will be discussed along with data processing schemes, possible threat detection metrics and potential interference signals. Results from recent laboratory experiments using a prototype system at LLNL will also be presented.