COMBINED SOURCE OF BREMSSTRAHLUNG AND NEUTRON RADIATION

A combined source of bremsstrahlung and neutron radiation based on a s mall-sized 10-MeV KPAB betatron is described. The dose rate of 10-MeV bremsstrahlung radiation at a distance of 1 m is 0.16 Gy/min. Neutron yields from LiD, Be, U-238, and Pb targets are presented. The estimate d maximum neutron yield is 1.6 x 10(9) neutron/s with LiD used as a co nverter. The source may be used for monitoring the contents of large-s ized containers and baggage, using the radiography method, and for det ecting fissile materials. The sensitivity of the radiographic testing is 1.5%. The threshold of detectability of fissile materials is 5 mg o f U-235; if the setup parameters are optimized, it is estimated to be 0.1 mg of U-235.