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US 6,727,504 B1Granted
Boron nitride solid state neutron detector
AssigneeSandia National Laboratories
InventorF. Patrick Doty
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention describes an apparatus useful for detecting neutrons, and particularly for detecting thermal neutrons, while remaining insensitive to gamma radiation. Neutrons are detected by direct measurement of current pulses produced by an interaction of the neutrons with hexagonal pyrolytic boron nitride.
Claims10
A device for detecting neutrons, comprising:
- a body of hexagonal boron nitride disposed between electrodes;
- power supply means for applying a voltage to the electrodes, wherein the voltage is applied in a direction substantially parallel to a crystallographic axis of the hexagonal boron nitride;
- and
- means for detecting and measuring the current pulse emitted from said hexagonal boron nitride.
1 more element
A method for detecting neutrons, comprising:
- providing a body of hexagonal boron nitride disposed between electrodes, wherein the electrodes are disposed perpendicular to a crystallographic axis of the hexagonal boron nitride;
- applying an electric field parallel to a crystallographic axis of the hexagonal boron nitride;
- exposing the hexagonal boron nitride to a flux of neutrons;
- and
- measuring the current pulse produced.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.