Optimized Detection of Fission Neutrons Using Boron Coated Straw Detectors Distributed in Moderator Material
AssigneeProportional Technologies, Inc.
InventorJeffrey L. Lacy
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Abstract
The present invention includes an apparatus and method for neutron radiation detection. The apparatus comprises combining thin walled, boron-coated straw tubes with a plastic moderator material interspersed around the tubes. The method involves using such an apparatus through application of voltage to a central wire running inside the tubes and collecting electrical pulses generated thereby.
Claims17
A portal monitoring system for detecting neutrons emitted from cargo comprising:
- a plurality of thin wall boron coated straw detectors, and
- a moderator material interspersed between said straw detectors.
A method of detecting radiation, comprising:
- providing a plurality of thin wall, boron-coated straw detectors having a plastic material interspersed between said detectors;
- applying voltage to a central wire at said detectors;
- and
- collecting electrical pulses generated by the detectors.
A device for detection of energetic neutrons comprising a block of high density polyethylene or other plastic having high hydrogen content and minimal content of neutron absorbing nuclei such as Nitrogen and having holes passing through the length of the block arranged in a regular array with constant hole center to center distance and having inserted in said holes boron coated straw detectors consisting of a thin wall tube having a thin inner wall coating of thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 2.0 μm and high in 10B content of at least 60% by weight and having a thin electrically conductive wire centered and tensioned in the middle of said tube and suitable high voltage electrical insulation at the ends;
- high positive voltage source connected to the central wire, and a collector for the electrical pulses from one end of the wire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.