Multi-Energy Gamma-Ray Attenuations for Non-Destructive Detection of Hazardous Materials

We present a non-destructive method (NDM) to identify minute quantities of high atomic number (Z) elements in containers such as passenger baggage, goods carrying transport trucks, and environmental samples. This relies on the fact that photon attenuation varies with its energy properties absorbing medium. Low-energy gamma-ray intensity loss is sensitive medium, while higher-energies vary density To verify usefulness this feature for NDM, we carried out simultaneous measurements intensities multiple gamma rays energies 81 1408 keV emitted by sources 133Ba (half-life = 10.55 y) 152Eu 13.52 y). By arrangement, could detect lead copper bulk medium from dependent attenuations. It seems will offer reliable, low-cost, low-maintenance alternative X-ray or accelerator-based techniques NDM high-Z materials mercury, lead, uranium, transuranic etc.