SBIR-STTR Award

For long-range detection of Special Nuclear Materials, an intense beam of mono-energetic directed gamma rays is required. In this proposal, a novel, high-energy, high peak- and average-brightness gamma-ray source based on Inverse Compton Scattering is described. Novel techniques are introduced to increase the flux of the source for active photonuclear interrogation at stand-off range. In Phase I, the components of the system will be designed to demonstrate feasibility and cost-effectiveness. This work will lay the foundation for the Phase II project, in which key components will be fabricated and tested at a collaborating laboratory.

Keywords:
Active Interrogation, Stand-Off Detection, Special Nuclear Material, Gamma Ray Source, Inverse Compton Scattering.

Demonstrate capability to produce mono-energetic gamma rays for long-range detection of radiological/nuclear materials. DESCRIPTION: The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) seeks research proposals for investigation of mono-energetic, directed pulsed gamma ray sources which may be used for detecting special nuclear materials (SNM). Currently, active gamma-ray interrogation for SNM makes use of Bremsstrahlung radiation based techniques. Bremsstrahlung beams have a broad energy spectrum and many of the generated gammas are of low energies. The use of sources of forward directed (i.e., focused) high energy, mono-energetic gamma rays would enable better propagation, and greater gamma intensity on target, at energies sufficiently high for inducing photo-fission in SNM, thus producing detectable signatures. PHASE I: The successful Phase I project should address the feasibility of gamma ray sources for producing photo-fission in SNM to generate detectable gamma ray signatures. The gamma source should produce gamma energies in excess of 6 MeV and should have a negligible tail extending below the peak gamma energy. PHASE II: The successful Phase II project will result in the development of a prototype device capable of being field-tested and demonstrated. At the conclusion of Phase II the performer will identify possible commercial collaborators for further development of the gamma source generators used for active interrogation. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The potential military application of this technology is focused on effective techniques for active interrogation using gamma rays. REFERENCES: 1. Glenn Knoll, “Radiation Detection and Measurement”, 3rd Edition, New York: John Wiley and Son, 2000.

Keywords:
Snm, Detection, Radiation, Gamma, Standoff, Active Interrogation ---------- This proposal is a continuation of the effort to develop a tunable, directional, and intense gamma-ray laser-like source, which can be realized in a compact topology and deployed for a wide range of civilian and defense applications. Specifically this project is focused on commissioning novel split geometry distributed coupling high gradient C-band linac as a driver for the Inverse Compton Scattering source. The l00 MeV linac module will be fabricated, conditioned, assembled, tested, and commissioned, powered by the novel hybrid photoinjector to achieve the electron beam of unprecedented brightness.