Detection module of the C-BORD Rapidly Relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System (RRTNIS)

This article reports a detailed description of the integration tests of the first Rapidly Relocatable Tagged Neutron Inspection System (RRTNIS) carried out at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in Ispra (Italy). This technology allows the detection and identification of suspicious or illicit materials (such as narcotics, explosives, contraband goods, etc.) inside a cargo container using active neutron interrogation, with the so-called associated particle technique. The method is based on the measurement of the gamma photons emitted by the de-excitation of nuclei that undergo, mainly, inelastic scatterings with incident fast neutrons (En ∼ 14 MeV). A set of scintillation detectors (NaI:Tl and LaBr3:Ce) is employed to perform gamma spectroscopy. The data acquisition system is based on fast signal digitizers and customized data acquisition software. A general technical description of the detection module and an outline of the data acquisition system (DAQ) are given. Also, we present the results of the integration tests, in particular, some examples of the performance of the system in the laboratory are shown, specifically, when using no target (background measurement) and when using mono-elemental and an explosive simulant target. Obtained results suggest that all technical requirements are achieved, and the next step will be the field trials.