Neutron Gaging Systems

A review is presented of neutron gaging concepts and applications. The gaging systems are restricted to those that measure elastic or inelastic scattered source neutrons, in either a transmission or scattering geometry. Neutron gaging, in this sense, is not selective. It cannot identify particular materials, but is useful in monitoring particular isotopes (hydrogen, boron) in otherwise known matrices.

Discussions are given of the many areas where neutron gaging has been applied: moisture measurements in soil, food, and the steel industry; detonating cord; metals; nonmetallic mines; well logging; and explosive ordnance and fuzes.

Although neutron gaging is inherently more sensitive than neutron radiography and presents the results in real-time, it is less commonly used than radiography. The advent of digital imaging tubes could allow two-dimensional information to be obtained from gaging systems and thereby increase their relative importance.