Rapid imaging of special nuclear materials for nuclear non-proliferation and terrorism prevention

TL;DR

This paper presents a new neutron-gamma emission tomography technique that enables rapid, high-resolution 3D imaging of special nuclear materials, enhancing security and non-proliferation efforts.

Contribution

It introduces a novel detection method combining nuclear physics and machine learning for real-time imaging of small quantities of nuclear materials.

Findings

Unprecedented imaging efficiency and spatial resolution

Ultra-low false alarm rates

Effective detection of nuclear materials in security scenarios

Abstract

We introduce a novel technique, neutron-gamma emission tomography (NGET), for rapid detection, 3D imaging, and characterization of special nuclear materials like weapons grade plutonium and uranium. The technique is adapted from fundamental nuclear physics research and represents a paradigm shift in the approach to detection and imaging of small quantities of such materials. The method uses a granular detection system based on fast organic scintillators, measuring the characteristic fast time and energy correlations between particles emitted in nuclear fission processes. The radically new approach of using such correlations in real time in conjunction with modern machine learning techniques provides unprecedented imaging efficiency, spatial resolution and ultra-low false alarm rates, addressing global security threats from terrorism, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, as well as different nuclear accident scenarios and environmental radiological surveying.