{"id":{"repo_id":"mit","oai_identifier":"oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/144692"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/mit/oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/144692","repository":{"repo_id":"mit","name":"MIT","base_url":"https://dspace.mit.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Feasibility study of compact Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis using a linac, a fusion-based neutron generator, and an isotopic source","abstract":"Various nuclear security applications such as fuel enrichment analysis and warhead verification seek to identify nuclear materials in a black box target. Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) is a spectroscopic technique which uses resonant neutron absorption to identify isotopic compositions. Previous NRTA experiments have used expensive beam line facilities with kilometer-long accelerators. This work explores feasibility of compact NRTA configurations using a linear accelerator (linac), fusion-based neutron generator, and isotopic source. Monte Carlo simulations show that these configurations trade off between complexity and flux, which is related to measurement time. A 5.5 MeV linac may yield the highest epithermal (1-10 eV) neutron flux (10⁷ neutrons s⁻¹), but conversion of electrons to neutrons adds complexity, bulk, and expense. A deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion-based neutron generator produces a moderate neutron flux (10⁶ neutrons/s) and complexity relative to the linac and isotopic configurations. Isotopic NRTA may provide the simplest solution but limits flux to 10⁴ neutrons s⁻¹. Preliminary isotopic experiments indicate that limited source activity poses a challenge for overcoming gamma background. This thesis discusses feasibility of each proposed NRTA setup in various security applications.","abstract_html":"Various nuclear security applications such as fuel enrichment analysis and warhead verification seek to identify nuclear materials in a black box target. Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) is a spectroscopic technique which uses resonant neutron absorption to identify isotopic compositions. Previous NRTA experiments have used expensive beam line facilities with kilometer-long accelerators. This work explores feasibility of compact NRTA configurations using a linear accelerator (linac), fusion-based neutron generator, and isotopic source. Monte Carlo simulations show that these configurations trade off between complexity and flux, which is related to measurement time. A 5.5 MeV linac may yield the highest epithermal (1-10 eV) neutron flux (10⁷ neutrons s⁻¹), but conversion of electrons to neutrons adds complexity, bulk, and expense. A deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion-based neutron generator produces a moderate neutron flux (10⁶ neutrons/s) and complexity relative to the linac and isotopic configurations. Isotopic NRTA may provide the simplest solution but limits flux to 10⁴ neutrons s⁻¹. Preliminary isotopic experiments indicate that limited source activity poses a challenge for overcoming gamma background. This thesis discusses feasibility of each proposed NRTA setup in various security applications.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Levine, Peninah"],"institution":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology","degree_name":"Bachelor","degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":"Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 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Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis (NRTA) is a spectroscopic technique which uses resonant neutron absorption to identify isotopic compositions. Previous NRTA experiments have used expensive beam line facilities with kilometer-long accelerators. This work explores feasibility of compact NRTA configurations using a linear accelerator (linac), fusion-based neutron generator, and isotopic source. Monte Carlo simulations show that these configurations trade off between complexity and flux, which is related to measurement time. A 5.5 MeV linac may yield the highest epithermal (1-10 eV) neutron flux (10⁷ neutrons s⁻¹), but conversion of electrons to neutrons adds complexity, bulk, and expense. A deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion-based neutron generator produces a moderate neutron flux (10⁶ neutrons/s) and complexity relative to the linac and isotopic configurations. Isotopic NRTA may provide the simplest solution but limits flux to 10⁴ neutrons s⁻¹. Preliminary isotopic experiments indicate that limited source activity poses a challenge for overcoming gamma background. This thesis discusses feasibility of each proposed NRTA setup in various security applications."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["S.B.","S.M."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Feasibility study of compact Neutron Resonance Transmission Analysis using a linac, a fusion-based neutron generator, and an isotopic source"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Danagoulian, Areg"],"dc:contributor.department":["Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 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A 5.5 MeV linac may yield the highest epithermal (1-10 eV) neutron flux (10⁷ neutrons s⁻¹), but conversion of electrons to neutrons adds complexity, bulk, and expense. A deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion-based neutron generator produces a moderate neutron flux (10⁶ neutrons/s) and complexity relative to the linac and isotopic configurations. Isotopic NRTA may provide the simplest solution but limits flux to 10⁴ neutrons s⁻¹. Preliminary isotopic experiments indicate that limited source activity poses a challenge for overcoming gamma background. 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