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DTRA’s advancements in nuclear and radiological detection
A new, more complex nuclear age has begun. Echoing the tensions of the Cold War amid rapidly evolving nuclear and radiological threats, preparedness in the modern age is a contest of scientific innovation. The Research and Development Directorate (RD) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is charged with winning this contest.
A. L. Lehnert, K. J. Kearfott
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 168 | Number 3 | July 2011 | Pages 278-286
Technical Paper | doi.org/10.13182/NSE10-13
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
In developing applications for fast neutron scattering in explosives detection, Monte Carlo simulations were completed that characterized the scattering behavior of fast neutrons in a simplified geometry. Targets included C, N, O, and Fe, as well as air, water, oil, and the explosive RDX (C3H6N6O6). Work included a study of energy binning, particle histories, and statistical uncertainty. Results of the simulations closely matched expected scatter behavior. Energy bins of 0.2 MeV and 1 × 108 particle histories provided ample statistical certainty.