The research program proposed involves analytical and experimental research to evaluate and develop differential gamma scattering techniques for accurate non-invasive determination of voids, cracks, flaws in materials and the defects sizing and location capabilities of this method. This new device, which has been termed "Differential Gamma Scattering Spectrum Probe (DGSSP)," is based on the detection of the scattered photon field emerging from an object which is illuminated by a beam from a suitably collimated monoenergetic gamma-ray source. The location and size of flaw (or flaws) are obtained by energy dependent, differential analysis of the scattered gamma flux. The DGSS probe is a novel method for non-invasive determination of flaws in materials, which appears to have significant advantages over ultrasonic, gamma ray, or X-ray transmission or seattering methods, both in the accuracy and reliability of detection and sizing of defects. The differential gamma scattering spectrum technique has a wide range of applications that include non-destructive inspection and measurement of sizing and location of cracks, voids, flaws, and defects in welds, nuclear reactor components, pipes, pressure vessels, pressure vessel nozzles, valves, pumps and plates, electric and electronic devices, and others.The potential commercial application as described by the awardee: Differential gamnia scattering spectrum technique has a wide range of uses that include non-destructive inspection and measurement of sizing and location of cracks, voids, naws and defects in welds, nuclear reactor components, pipes, pressure vessels, pressure vessel nozzles, valves, pumps, and plates.
