Nuclear materials detection using high-energy γ-rays

The FIGARO technique uses 6-7 MeV gamma-rays produced in the F-19(p, alpha gamma)O-16 reaction to detect materials used in nuclear weapons or associated with their production. These gamma-rays induce neutron emission via the photoneutron and photofission processes in nuclear materials. Previous experiments have shown that FIGARO gives responses specific to nuclear materials with little or no response to common benign materials. The technique is also resistant to both photon and neutron shielding countermeasures. We present preliminary results from modeling studies of neutron detection rates with simulated air cargo and intermodal shipping containers. A general methodology to compare operating performance based on receiver-operator-characteristic curves is also discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.