Neutron Detection
AssigneeNova Scientific, Inc.
InventorsJon. H. Chappell, W. Bruce Feller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for detecting a neutron includes providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate, providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage, measuring a signal on the output electrode, and detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.
Claims37
1-65. (canceled)
A method for detecting a neutron, the method comprising:
- providing a first voltage to an input electrode of a microchannel plate;
- providing a second voltage to an output electrode of the microchannel plate, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage;
- measuring a signal on the output electrode;
- and
- detecting a neutron based on a comparison of the signal at the output electrode with a baseline value.
A method comprising:
- providing a first electrode, a second electrode, and a material disposed between the first and second electrodes, the material comprising a first component that is sensitive to neutrons and a second component that is sensitive to gamma rays;
- providing a first voltage to the first electrode;
- providing a second voltage to the second electrode, the second voltage being more positive than the first voltage;
- discriminating between a neutron and a gamma ray by using a signal on the second electrode, the signal being influenced by moving charged particles generated as a result of an interaction between an incident particle or radiation and the material disposed between the first and second electrodes;
- and
- generating a detection signal indicating that a neutron has been detected when the signal on the second electrode is negative.
The method of claim 60 in which the hydrogen-containing material is doped with at least one of boron-10 or lithium-6.
The method of claim 60 in which the hydrogen-containing material defines microchannels, and a layer of neutron sensitive material is disposed on walls of the microchannels.
A method for detecting a neutron, the method comprising:
- providing a microchannel plate having an input electrode and an output electrode, the input electrode being connected to a first voltage, the output electrode being connected to a second voltage that is more positive than the first voltage;
- and
- generating a signal indicating detection of a neutron when, for a first period of time, a signal at the output electrode is negative.
A neutron detector comprising:
- a microchannel plate having an input electrode, an output electrode, and a glass plate comprising microscopic channels, the input electrode to be connected to a first voltage, the output electrode to be connected to a second voltage different from the first voltage;
- and
- a data processor to determine whether a neutron has been detected based on a polarity of a signal on the output electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.