On Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:31:36 GMT, "Casey Wilson" N2310D @ gmail.com
wrote in IdyDf.10762$Ix.243@trnddc07::


"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
.. .


After considering the mission of border surveillance a little more, I
came to the conclusion, that the use of sophisticated sensors aboard
the UAVs could probably detect the presence of nuclear materials.

Could you please point to some reference that led you to that
conclusion?



This is the sort of technology of which I am thinking:


http://www.newscientisttech.com/arti...25566.100.html

Astronomy detectors could become nuke hunters
20 June 2006
NewScientist.com news service

DETECTORS designed to search for gamma rays produced by quasars
and supernovae could be used to spot illicit nuclear material on
Earth.

The Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC)
telescope in La Palma, Spain, detects flashes of light produced
when gamma rays hit the upper atmosphere. Now a group led by
Daniel Ferenc at the University of California, Davis, has
developed detectors based on light-sensitive semiconducting
materials. When photons hit the semiconductors, they emit
electrons, which can be measured.

The detectors work in the same way when hit by neutrons and gamma
rays given off by plutonium, so the US National Nuclear Security
Administration hopes to use them to scan cargo for nuclear
weapons.

From issue 2556 of New Scientist magazine, 20 June 2006, page 29