DISTINGUISH: Detection of explosive substances by tomographic inspection using neutron and gamma-ray spectroscopy
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
There is a need for inspection systems that are able to detect explosives (or drugs) hidden in for example luggage. These systems are most efficient if they can inspect the object without having to investigate by hand. e.g. a person does not have to search each piece of luggage or container. Explosives almost universally comprise hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen is different ratios. A system that will detect elements like these is based on sending a beam of neutrons into the system. The different elements will emit gamma rays of different energies which are unique to the isotopes concerned. These gamma rays can be measured accurately with a germanium gamma-ray detector and hence the amount of each element determined. This information can then be used to determined the ratios of the four elements and hence whether explosives (or drugs etc.) are present. By using modern technology the germanium detector can also be used to make an image of the object under investigate, similar to an airport baggage scanner. In this case the gamma-rays and scattered neutrons will be detected simultaneously to make a clearer image. By the end of the project we hope to have demonstrated in the laboratory that these ideas are effective and to determine the potential sensitivity.
Organisations
- University of Liverpool (Lead Research Organisation)
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- NIS Ltd (Collaboration)
- John Caunt Scientific Ltd (Collaboration)
- MANCHESTER AIRPORT PLC (Collaboration)
- BAE Systems (United Kingdom) (Collaboration, Project Partner)
- John Caunt Scientific (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Manchester Airport (Project Partner)
- NIS (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Nolan (Principal Investigator) | |
Andrew Boston (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Aspinall M
(2007)
Verification of the digital discrimination of neutrons and rays using pulse gradient analysis by digital measurement of time of flight
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Aspinall M
(2009)
Sample-interpolation timing: an optimized technique for the digital measurement of time of flight for ? rays and neutrons at relatively low sampling rates
in Measurement Science and Technology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
D'Mellow B
(2007)
Digital discrimination of neutrons and -rays in liquid scintillators using pulse gradient analysis
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Farahmand M
(2007)
Detection of explosive substances by tomographic inspection using neutron and gamma-ray spectroscopy
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Liu G
(2009)
An investigation of the digital discrimination of neutrons and ? rays with organic scintillation detectors using an artificial neural network
in Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment
Description | BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
Organisation | BAE Systems |
Department | BAE Systems Submarine Solutions |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | John Caunt Scientific Ltd |
Organisation | John Caunt Scientific Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Manchester Airport Plc |
Organisation | Manchester Airport Plc |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | NIS Ltd |
Organisation | NIS Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Police Scientific Development Branch |
Organisation | Police Scientific Development Branch |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
Start Year | 2006 |