An e-LINAC driven PGNAA system for concealed drug inspection

Photoneutron based prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) is a promising technology that provides additional elemental analysis ability to traditional X-ray radiography, and can help detect low-Z illicit objects like drugs and explosives concealed in cargoes and luggage, which can barely be distinguished on the X-ray image. An e-LINAC driven photoneutron inspection system was constructed in this work to interrogate the performance of detecting drugs concealed in the fruits. Both simulation and experimental results indicate that 1 kg methamphetamine hydrochloride simulants smuggled in a banana pallet can be detected within 1 min with both false positive and false negative probabilities smaller than 0.1%, satisfying the rapid scan requirement at customs, ports or checkpoints.