Fast neutron spectrometer and detector
AssigneeCentre National De La Recherche Scientifique
InventorsDaniel Santos, Olivier Guillaudin, Nadine Sauzet
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Abstract
A device for measuring the energy of neutrons incident in a first direction is provided. The device comprises a gas between a cathode and an anode, the anode comprising a matrix array of electron detectors, the first direction being orthogonal to the anode-cathode direction.
Claims12
A device for measuring the energy of neutrons incident in a first direction having an energy greater than 5 MeV, the device comprising a gas between a cathode and an anode, the anode comprising a matrix array of electron detectors, the first direction being orthogonal to the anode-cathode direction, and the device further comprising a circuit configured for:
- a) measuring the number, the positions, and the times of arrival of electrons;
- b) determining, from the positions and times of arrival, the angle θ′ between the first direction and the direction of an ionized trace left by a nucleus of said gas after collision with one of the neutrons;
- and
- c) determining the energy of the neutron from the number of electrons and the angle θ′.
A method for measuring the energy of neutrons incident in a direction having an energy greater than 5 MeV, the method comprising:
- a) providing a gas between a cathode and an anode, the anode comprising a matrix array of electron detectors;
- b) orienting the anode-cathode direction orthogonal to the direction of incidence of the neutrons;
- c) measuring the number, the positions, and the times of arrival of electrons coming from gas on the matrix array;
- d) determining, from the positions and times of arrival, the angle θ′ between the direction of incidence of the neutrons and the direction of an ionized trace left by a nucleus of said gas after collision with one of the neutrons;
- and
- e) determining the energy of the neutron from the number of electrons and from the angle θ′.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.