Nuclear Based Explosive Detection Systems-1992 Status

Abstract

Over the past several years the attitude towards nuclear based explosive detection systems (EDS) has fluctuated between euphoria to disappointment. This had to do little with technical merits and more with a host of other issues raging from changing perceptions of threats and resulting systems’ requirements, to the effect of security regulations on the health of the commercial airline industry. Despite these tribulations, progress continues. Six thermal neutron analysis (TNA) EDS’s have been deployed in several airports in the U.S.A. and abroad. While providing the users with valuable security services, a large amount of data has been collected, allowing further improvements. Indeed the currently deployed TNA systems are an improved version of the first one installed in 1989 at the JFK International Airport’s TWA terminal. Significant additional enhancements in performance, which resulted from recent laboratory studies are awaiting approval for implementation in the existing systems.

In the last few years the desire to detect ever smaller amounts of explosives led to the exploitation of fast neutron reactions. Progress in the development of the pulsed fast neutron analysis (PFNA) technique, as the ultimate EDS in terms of sensitivity, low false alarm rate and high throughput capability, are reported. Other nuclear based techniques such as the gamma and neutron resonance attenuation (GRA and NRA, respectively) are briefly discussed and compared on their own as well as within the concept of a “system of systems.” The latter may incorporate several sensors and other attributes of security to provide the most effective system.