Radiation Physics and Chemistry最新文献

{"title":"Microstructural, thermal analysis, and gamma-ray shielding properties of bricks made of various local natural materials","authors":"Yahaya Khalid Kaika, Ibrahim Umaru, Muhammad Mustapha Idris, U. Rilwan, Jibrin Ahmed Guto, M.I. Sayyed, A.U. Maisalatee, Abdullahi Abubakar Mundi, K.A Mahmoud","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112742","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112742","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we prepared five brick samples based on clay (C), granite (G), laterite (L), basalt (B) and assessed their radiation shielding performances. The densities of the bricks were calculated by dividing the mass of each sample by their volumes. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray techniques (EDX), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were respectively used to identify the crystal structure, morphological structure, chemical composition, and thermal behaviour of the prepared bricks. The radiation shielding properties of prepared brick samples were examined to check the ability of the prepared materials in attenuating the gamma-ray photons. At 0.033–2.506 MeV, basalt and granite bricks have the highest linear attenuation coefficient, of 22.332-0.097 cm<ce:sup loc=\"post\">−1</ce:sup> (for basalt bricks) and 35.633–0.096 cm<ce:sup loc=\"post\">−1</ce:sup> (for granite bricks) among the prepared bricks. The study shows that basalt and granite brick samples have suitable shielding properties.","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"72 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143744686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measurement of Kβ/Kα X-ray intensity ratios in nickel, cobalt, copper and zinc doped WO3 thin films","authors":"Betül Demirezen ,&nbsp;Ömer Söğüt ,&nbsp;Süleyman Kerli ,&nbsp;Ali Gürol","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112738","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112738","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this study, the Kβ/Kα X-ray intensity ratios of tungsten oxide (WO₃) thin films doped with 10–20 % Ni, Co, Cu and Zn transition metals by spray pyrolysis method were investigated by X-ray fluorescence technique (XRF). A²⁴¹Am radioactive source emitting a beam with an intensity of 5 Ci (∼185 GBq) and an energy of 59.543 keV was used to excite the samples. A HPGe detector with a resolution of 180 eV at 5.96 keV was used to count the characteristic X-rays emitted from the thin films. The impact of doping transition metals on the crystal structure of WO₃ thin films was investigated using XRD analysis, while their morphological properties were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It was observed that the Kβ/Kα X-ray intensity ratios increased in accordance with the concentrations of transition metals doped into the WO₃ thin film samples. The values obtained from the Kβ/Kα X-ray intensity ratios were compared with the findings of theoretical and experimental studies for pure Ni, Co, Cu and Zn elements. XRD analysis revealed that undoped tungsten oxide and nickel, cobalt and copper doped thin films have an amorphous structure, while zinc doped tungsten oxide thin film has a monoclinic structure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 112738"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive organ-specific radiation dose mapping in coronary angiography using the Alderson Rando phantom: An experimental approach to optimize patient safety","authors":"Duygu Tunçman Kayaokay ,&nbsp;Fahrettin Fatih Kesmezacar ,&nbsp;Nami Yeyin ,&nbsp;Songül Çavdar Karaçam ,&nbsp;Osman Günay ,&nbsp;Turgut Karabağ ,&nbsp;Mustafa Demir ,&nbsp;Bashar Issa ,&nbsp;H.O. Tekin ,&nbsp;Ghada ALMisned","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112739","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112739","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate radiation dose distribution to critical organs, specifically the lungs, heart, and breasts, during coronary angiography using the Alderson Rando phantom. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were positioned at different anatomical sites within the Alderson Rando ® phantom to measure radiation exposure in a controlled simulation replicating clinical coronary angiography conditions. Our findings indicated significant variability in lung doses, with the highest exposure observed in middle lung regions due to direct alignment with the primary X-ray beam path. Cardiac dose measurements showed a relatively uniform distribution, with elevated exposure in the basal and atrial regions, reflecting their proximity to the central beam. In the breast tissue, a pronounced dose asymmetry was noted, with the right breast, particularly lateral and posterior regions, receiving substantially higher radiation due to its closer positioning to the X-ray source and increased scatter. According to results, there are different levels of radiation exposure across organs and anatomical regions during coronary angiography. It can be concluded that implementing targeted dose-reduction strategies, such as shielding and optimized angulation, is essential to protect sensitive organs, with personalized imaging protocols recommended to enhance patient safety and minimize cumulative radiation risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 112739"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143675588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Progress towards electron–photon coincidence detection of noble gases for enhanced safety monitoring of nuclear fuel","authors":"S.E. Poulton ,&nbsp;P.H. Regan ,&nbsp;S.J. Bell ,&nbsp;R. Shearman ,&nbsp;M.A. Goodwin ,&nbsp;E.B. O’Sullivan ,&nbsp;M. Ryan","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112703","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112703","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The conditions under which nuclear fission occurs affects the ratio of radio-xenon isotopes and their metastable states which are produced. Measuring the ratio can be used to monitor the condition of nuclear fuel through its life span. This conference paper presents preliminary results from the testing of an electron–photon coincidence system at resolving signals from two isotopes of radio-xenon compared to the background. The detector system is comprised of a PIPSBox silicon detector and a high-purity germanium detector, with signals from both detectors processed using a 500 MHz CAEN digitiser. The system was tested using a mixed gaseous source containing <span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>131</mn><mi>m</mi></mrow></msup></math></span>Xe (t<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>=11.84(4) days) and ¹³³Xe (t<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>/</mo><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span>=5.25475(5) days). The preliminary results show a clear separation between events associated with the discrete-energy internal conversion lines associated with the <span><math><msup><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>131</mn><mi>m</mi></mrow></msup></math></span>Xe decay and the coincident characteristic Xe K<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mi>α</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> and K<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mi>β</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> X-rays and those events associated with the beta decay from the ground state of ¹³³Xe to excited states in the ¹³³Cs daughter nucleus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 112703"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143696047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel fabricated germanium-doped optical fibres as high absorbed dose measurement detector for mapping gamma-ray Cesium-137","authors":"K.S.A.K. Bakar ,&nbsp;N.M. Noor ,&nbsp;F. Idris","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112736","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Measurement of radiation absorbed dose is crucial for assessing potential biological harm to living tissues, ensuring safety and precision in dose delivery to human tissue. TA-GVH disease is a prevalent complication of blood transfusion. The dose mapping method ensures that the radiation dose to the blood remains within the predetermined limits set by authorities up to 50 Gy. This study aims to explore the possibilities of using fabricated germanium-doped (Ge-doped) optical fibre dosimeters as a radiation dose mapper for quality assurance (QA).</div><div>Two types of fabricated 2.3mol % Ge-doped optical fibres were used, cylindrical (CF) and flat (FF), calibrated within a high dose range of 5–50 Gy using a Cobalt-60 machine at the SSDL, Nuclear Malaysia Agency. Dose mapping was conducted in a Cesium-137 source blood irradiator at the Pathology Department, HSAAS, using blood-equivalent phantom to gamma radiation of 25 Gy and comparing thermoluminescence (TL) signals with EBT-XD film.</div><div>The result showed no significant difference in mean absorbed dose between both optical fibres and External Beam Therapy (EBT) film. Both fibres exhibited a mean error of 4 %, and EBT-XD film was 3.4 %, indicating good agreement with the nominal dose value of 25 Gy.</div><div>High radiation exposure can be accurately monitored and assessed using a dosimetry method, such as Ge-doped optical fibre dosimetry. This passive dosimeter offers high sensitivity, cost-effectiveness, and reusability, making it a valuable alternative to conventional blood dosimetry. Comprehensive dose mapping allows for precise monitoring and evaluation of the radiation field, ensuring accurate assessment of radiation exposure in high-dose radiation environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 112736"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143678191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of multi-leaf collimator accuracy in Halcyon system using logfile analysis","authors":"Nguyen Khac Son, Luong Tien Phat, Ha Anh Tu, Ngo Hoang Long, Duong Thanh Tai, Paul Booker, Sitti Yani, Abdelmoneim Sulieman, Nissren Tamam, Peter Sandwall, James C.L. Chow","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112741","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112741","url":null,"abstract":"This study evaluates multi-leaf collimator (MLC) positioning accuracy in the Halcyon linear accelerator using logfile analysis across head and neck, thoracic, and pelvic regions. Logfiles from 1282 fractions (366 head and neck, 524 thoracic, 392 pelvic) were analyzed for real-time versus planned MLC positions and monitor unit (MU) discrepancies, assessing root mean square (RMS) errors and deviations within ±0.35 cm per AAPM TG-142 and TG-198 guidelines. RMS errors were low across all regions, with head and neck showing the highest variations due to modulation complexity, thoracic the widest deviations from respiratory motion, and pelvic the most stable. Over 95 % of MLC deviations were within 0.35 cm, and delivered MUs were slightly higher than planned but within QA limits. The findings demonstrate that the Halcyon system consistently meets stringent QA standards for MLC positioning accuracy and dose delivery across different anatomical regions. Logfile analysis provides a reliable, non-invasive, and automated QA method for real-time assessment of MLC performance, enhancing the overall quality and safety of radiotherapy treatments.","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143744687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving radiotherapy precision through MLC model optimization for a Monaco treatment planning system","authors":"Nguyen Khac Son, Ngo Hoang Long, Ha Anh Tu, Bao Lam, Duong Thanh Tai, Nissren Tamam, Abdelmoneim Sulieman, Peter Sandwall, James C.L. Chow","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112730","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112730","url":null,"abstract":"This study optimizes the Multileaf Collimator (MLC) model in the Monaco Treatment Planning System (TPS), seeking to enhance dose calculation accuracy in radiotherapy. The focus is on refining key parameters such as leaf transmission, leaf groove width, and leaf offset to improve the alignment between calculated and measured dose distributions. The optimization process was conducted at Lam Dong General Hospital using the Elekta MLCi2 system. Iterative adjustments were made to the MLC parameters by analyzing the dose profiles of various test fields, such as FOURL, 3ABUT, and 7SEGA configurations. These profiles were used to detect discrepancies between calculated and measured doses, guiding the adjustments. After each adjustment, gamma analysis was applied to assess whether the refinements improved the quality of dose distribution. The refined MLC model was further validated using complex fields like DMLC, HIMRT, and HDMLC, and applied to clinical treatment plans to evaluate its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. Significant improvements in dose conformity and precision were observed. For instance, optimization of leaf transmission reduced the difference between measured and calculated doses, improving from −2.238 cGy to 0.037 cGy. Adjustments to leaf groove width and leaf offset similarly enhanced dose accuracy. Validation results showed notable improvements in gamma pass rates, particularly for the stringent 1 %/1 mm criterion. The optimized model also demonstrated substantial improvements in gamma pass rates across various clinical scenarios, including rectum, prostate, esophageal, head-neck, breast, and lung cases. Optimization of the MLC model within the Monaco TPS has proven to be a valuable approach in enhancing dose calculation accuracy. The study highlights the importance of continuous quality assurance and fine-tuning of MLC parameters to maintain high standards of treatment accuracy, ultimately contributing to better clinical outcomes for patients.","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143744688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optical, structural, and gamma radiation shielding properties of lead borate glasses containing a small fraction of crystalline phase","authors":"Ahmad Marzuki ,&nbsp;Risa Suryana ,&nbsp;Nani Syamsyiah ,&nbsp;Devara Ega Fausta ,&nbsp;Idris Kabalci ,&nbsp;Mukhayyarotin Niswati Rodliyatul Jauhariyah","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112712","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112712","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lead borate glasses with compositions of 80PbO-(20-x)B₂O₃-xTeO₂, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 5 mol% (denoted as PBT0, PBT1, PBT2, PBT3, PBT4, and PBT5), were synthesised using the melt-quenching method. This study investigates the influence of TeO₂ addition on the optical, structural, and gamma shielding properties of these glasses. The presence of a minor crystalline phase was qualitatively examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optical properties were analysed based on variations in refractive index, transmittance, and band gap energy, while changes in structural units were explored using Raman spectroscopy. Gamma shielding performance was evaluated both experimentally and theoretically using the Phy-X/PSD and WINXCOM software. The primary objective was to assess the effect of partially substituting B₂O₃ with TeO₂ and to determine how the formation of a minor crystalline phase influences the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), and exposure buildup factor (EBF). The results indicate that all glasses, except for PBT5, exhibit good transparency. Increasing the TeO₂ content enhanced the refractive index from 1.66 to 2.08 and increased the density from 6.47 to 7.47 g/cm³. The high LAC values and low HVL, MFP, and EBF values across various gamma photon energies confirm the excellent shielding capability of these glasses. For instance, at a gamma photon energy of 0.661 MeV, the LAC values for PBT0, PBT1, PBT2, PBT3, PBT4, and PBT5 are 0.6899, 0.7124, 0.7581, 0.7626, 0.7577, and 0.7901 cm⁻¹, respectively, while their corresponding HVL values range from 1.01 cm (PBT0) to 0.88 cm (PBT5). These values are comparable to those of lead, a conventional gamma shielding material. Overall, these findings suggest that the investigated lead borate glasses have strong potential as alternative transparent materials for gamma radiation shielding applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 112712"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143678172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measurement uncertainty of the absorbed dose from fabricated Ge-doped optical fibres and nanoDot OSLD in radiotherapy electron beam dosimetry audit","authors":"N. Abdullah ,&nbsp;N. Mohd Noor ,&nbsp;Z. Kamarul Zaman ,&nbsp;M. Mohammad Zahid","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112684","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of transfer dosimeters to validate the accuracy of absorbed dose delivery during radiotherapy dosimetry audits requires estimation of the measurement uncertainty to ensure that the tolerance limits are met. Previous studies have explored the measurement uncertainties in absorbed dose for both Germanium-doped optical fibre (GedOF) and nanoDot optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimetry systems in radiotherapy dosimetry audits involving photon and electron beams. However, there is a paucity of research comparing the detailed measurement uncertainty between GedOF and OSLD, particularly for radiotherapy electron beam dosimetry audits. In this study, the measurement uncertainties in the analysis of the absorbed dose measured from two types of GedOF in cylindrical (CGedOF) and flat (FGedOF) shapes were investigated in comparison with nanoDot OSL dosimeter (OSLD). The uncertainty was derived from two components: (i) the calibration of the dosimeters against the ionization chamber in electron beams based on the IAEA's TRS No. 398, and (ii) the calculation of the absorbed dose to water for each dosimeter, which includes the correction factors of response sensitivities, dose-response linearity, signal fading, and beam energies. Each source of uncertainty was expressed as a relative standard uncertainty, which was classified as type A (random) or type B (systematic). The total combined standard uncertainty was calculated by summing the Type A and Type B uncertainties using a quadratic method. The largest relative standard uncertainty in the absorbed dose measurement from each dosimeter arose from the calibration coefficient of these dosimetry systems (1.32 %–1.36 %), followed by the stability of the TLD/OSLD reader long term stability (0.47 %–0.52 %) and statistical TL/OSL readings (0.38 %–0.59 %). The quadratic summation of all relative standard uncertainties resulted in total combined uncertainties of 1.31 % for CGedOF and 1.36 % for both FGedOF and OSLD, resulting in tolerance limits of 3.93 % for CGedOF and 4.08 % for both FGedOF and OSLD. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the measurement uncertainties of both CGedOF and FGedOF in radiotherapy applications, highlighting their potential as reliable tools for dose verification in remote dosimetry audits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 112684"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143739483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Proof of concept for illicit material detection via active photon interrogation and photoneutron spectrometry in realistic inspection scenarios","authors":"C. Besnard-Vauterin,&nbsp;B. Rapp,&nbsp;V. Blideanu","doi":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112709","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112709","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the application of Active Photon Interrogation coupled to Photoneutron Spectrometry (API-PS) as a novel technique for detecting nitrogen-rich materials, such as explosives and narcotics, in realistic inspection scenarios. API-PS leverages high-energy photons to induce neutron emission from target materials, allowing for element-specific identification based on corresponding unique photoneutron spectra. Through a series of controlled experiments, we assessed API-PS's effectiveness by analysing the photoneutron spectra of melamine—a nitrogen-rich compound often used as a surrogate for illicit materials—embedded in various configurations alongside common items such as clothing, electronics, and scrap metals. Our findings demonstrate that API-PS is capable of distinguishing nitrogen signature even in the presence of significant other photoneutron contributions from higher Z metals, such as copper. In particular, spectral features characteristic of nitrogen remained identifiable, despite interference from other elements like oxygen, underscoring API-PS's potential to reliably identify illicit substances in challenging inspection conditions. The complementary use of dual-energy X-ray imaging enhanced our ability to interpret the API-PS spectra by providing a spatial context for the material arrangement, aiding in the differentiation of target signals. The results of this proof-of-concept study suggest that API-PS could offer substantial benefits for security screening applications, particularly in high-stakes environments such as airports, harbours, and border checkpoints, where accurate detection of hazardous or illicit materials is essential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20861,"journal":{"name":"Radiation Physics and Chemistry","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 112709"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"物理与天体物理","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}