Integrated neutron-gamma radiation detector with optical waveguide and neutron scintillating material

An integrated neutron-gamma radiation detector, comprising:

• a gamma sensing element;
• a neutron sensing element comprising a neutron scintillating material at least partially surrounded by an optical waveguide material, at least a portion of the gamma sensing element being disposed within a central aperture of the neutron sensing element, wherein the neutron sensing element comprises a plurality of cylindrical, concentric shells forming the central aperture of the neutron sensing element;
• and
• a photosensing element optically coupled to both the gamma sensing element and the neutron sensing element,
• wherein photons emitted from the neutron sensing element are collected and channeled through the optical waveguide material and into the photosensing element.

An integrated neutron-gamma radiation detector, comprising:

• a gamma sensing element;
• a neutron sensing element comprising a neutron scintillating material at least partially surrounded by an optical waveguide material, at least a portion of the gamma sensing element being disposed within a central aperture of the neutron sensing element, wherein the neutron sensing element comprises a plurality of strands;
• and
• a photosensing element optically coupled to both the gamma sensing element and the neutron sensing element,
• wherein photons emitted from the neutron sensing element are collected and channeled through the optical waveguide material and into the photosensing element.

A method of detecting radiation in an integrated neutron-gamma detector, the method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a neutron scintillating material within an optical waveguide material to form a neutron sensing element;
• disposing at least a portion of a gamma sensing element within the neutron sensing element;
• and
• optically coupling both the neutron sensing element and the gamma element to a photosensing element,
• whereby photons emitted from the neutron sensing element are collected and channeled through the optical waveguide material and into the photosensing element.