Neutron-Resonance Transmission Analysis with a Compact Deuterium-Tritium Neutron Generator
Ethan A. Klein, Farheen Naqvi, Jacob E. Bickus, Hin Y. Lee, Areg Danagoulian, Robert J. Goldston
Abstract
Neutron-resonance transmission analysis (NRTA) is a powerful technique for materials identification with applications in many fields, but to date it has relied on major kilometer-long user facilities. Here the authors develop a methodology that significantly simplifies the necessary platform, allowing for $t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}b\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}l\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}p$ laboratory implementations. Experiments demonstrate that the approach here can identify such elements as silver, indium, tungsten, and uranium. This success could turn NRTA, currently a ``niche'' technique, into an ubiquitous tool with applicability in $e.g.$ nuclear engineering, archaeology, and arms control.