Neutron spallation to enhance muon scattering tomography

This work presents data obtained from an investigation into muon stimulated neutron emission in combination with the technique of muon scattering tomography. Initial measurements in lead of the neutron emission measured a half-life of 56.9 ± 6.63 ns which is three standard deviations lower than expected, with the error primarily attributed to prompt X-ray emission. A hypothetical detector, based on a muon scattering tomography prototype at AWE was used to examine the data expected from an integrated system. A lifetime 81 ± 3 ns was obtained here. Alongside this a portable muon trigger detector has been developed which aims to be implemented in a deployable muon scattering tomography system. The portable detector successfully measures muons to an accuracy of 20%.