Collaborative Research: ARI-LA: Low-Dose Inspection for Nuclear Threats Using Monochromatic Gamma-Rays

利用单色伽马射线对核威胁进行低剂量检查是一种探测屏蔽核材料的新方法，有可能大大优于目前采用的方法。我们所追求的方法的主要优点是低剂量（20 mrad），高速筛选能力，核材料识别的准确性，以及相对较低的成本和简单的设计和操作。这些优点可以通过使用应用于源开发的超紧凑超导加速器技术来实现，该技术可以被定制以产生多个单能伽马射线和/或中子。此外，单能源加上先进辐射探测器的开发和新的信息科学驱动的系统设计和数据分析方法，有可能在安全、效率和准确性方面创造前所未有的系统性能。独特而创新的设计方法是未来SNM检测技术的推动因素。通过使用新一代超紧凑型加速器和先进的成像探测器，将产生单能源的新方法结合起来，有可能在迅速准确地清除核威胁物体的能力方面实现范式转变。此外，这项跨学科的工作需要在紧凑型强子加速器，单色伽马射线源，探测器和算法领域的广泛综合专业知识，使我们的团队特别适合这项任务。这项研究结合了几个新的和高风险的想法，如果成功，可能会带来革命性的进步，以检测屏蔽SNM的方法，具有广泛的影响和利益的福利和国家和社会的安全，并促进科学和工程的多样性和公众的理解。

Low-dose inspection for nuclear threats using monochromatic gamma-rays is a novel method to detect shielded nuclear material (SNM) with a potential to significantly outperform currently employed methods. The key advantage of the method we are pursuing is in low dose (20 mrad), ability for high-speed screening, accuracy in identification of nuclear materials, and relatively low cost and simplicity in design and operation. The advantages are achievable through use of ultra-compact superconducting accelerator technology applied to sources development, which can be tailored to produce multiple monoenergetic gamma rays and/or neutrons. Furthermore, monoenergetic sources coupled with the development of advanced radiation detectors and a new information science-driven approach for system design and data analysis have a potential to create unprecedented performance of the system in view of safety, efficiency and accuracy. The unique and innovative approach to the design is the enabling factor for future SNM detection technologies. Integration of the novel method of monoenergetic source generation through use of a new generation of ultra-compact accelerators with advanced imaging detectors has a potential for a paradigm shift in the ability to rapidly and accurately clear objects from nuclear threats. Moreover, this interdisciplinary work requires a broad combined expertize in the areas of compact hadron accelerators, monochromatic gamma-ray sources, detectors, and algorithms making our team particularly well-suited for the task. This research combines several new and high-risk ideas and, if successful, could bring about revolutionary advances in the methods to detect shielded SNM, with broad impacts and benefits to the welfare and security of the nation and society and promote the diversity and public understanding of science and engineering.