Photofission for active SNM detection II: Intense pulsed 19F(p,αγ)16O characteristic γ source

An ongoing programme investigating the active detection of special nuclear material (SNM) is being undertaken by the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) in collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The programme is funded through the UK Home Office, Ministry of Defence and Cabinet Office and the Naval Research Laboratory supported primarily through the US Defence Threat Reduction Agency with support also from the Office of Naval Research and the Defence Nuclear Detection Office. The process by which the UK are applying active detection techniques to border protection and a review of the current challenges and opportunities for this technology as assessed by the authors is provided.