Radiation detection
AssigneeHealth Protection Agency
InventorsRick Tanner, Jonathan Eakins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An instrument for detecting radiation is provided, which comprises an inner core housing a neutron detector, and an outer core comprising a neutron-moderating material, the instrument further including at least one elongate thermal neutron guide located within the outer core and having an inner end that terminates proximal to the neutron detector. In use, the elongate thermal neutron guide channels thermal neutrons towards the neutron detector. Also provided is a method for using said instrument.
Claims39
An instrument for detecting radiation, the instrument comprising:
- i) an inner core comprising a neutron detector;
- ii) an outer core comprising a neutron-moderating material, said outer core having an external surface;
- and
- iii) at least one elongate thermal neutron guide having an inner end and an outer end, wherein said at least one elongate thermal neutron guide is located in the outer core, and wherein:
- (a) the thermal neutron guide extends in a direction from the external surface of the outer core to the neutron detector and, in use, channels thermal neutrons towards the neutron detector, and
- (b) the inner end of the thermal neutron guide is proximal to the neutron detector.
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A method of detecting radiation using an instrument according to any preceding claim, wherein said method comprises contacting the instrument with neutrons, generating one or more signals following contact between the neutrons and neutron detector, and detecting said one or more signals.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.