Re: airport explosive detect

["Mike Bohan" <mike.bohan@yale.edu>]

        Reply to:   RE>airport explosive detection systems

I believe these systems use a neutron source which then detects the gammas given
off by nitrogen atoms (Most explosives have nitrogen as a primary constituent,
that why fertilizer works!) which have captured the neutrons.

Mike Bohan

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Michael J. Bohan, RSO   |  e-mail: mike.bohan@yale.edu
Yale-New Haven Hospital |    Tele: (203) 785-2950
Radiological Physics    |     FAX: (203) 737-4252
20 York St. - WWW 204   |    As usual, everything I say may be plausibly
New Haven, CT    06504  |    denied at my employer's convenience ...
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--------------------------------------
Date: 19/06/96 2:28 PM
To: Mike Bohan
From: radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu

Hello everyone,

	I had a question from an employee involving new airport detection 
systems designed to detect explosives.  Apparently these detectors use 
gamma radiation.  The questions put to me were:  How do these detectors 
work?  How do the gamma rays aid in detecting explosives?  Any info on 
these questions would be appreciated!  Thanks.

					Jen Wilson
					R.S.O.
					UNBC