Heterogeneous capture-gated neutron spectrometer
OwnerJ. Bart Czirrinventor
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Abstract
A system and method for a heterogeneous capture-gated neutron detector are disclosed. The system includes an inorganic hydrogenous scintillating layer configured to emit at least one collision photon when contacted with a neutron having an energy greater than a predetermined value. A neutron capture layer is located adjacent the inorganic or organic hydrogenous scintillating layer and configured to capture the neutron and emit at least one gamma ray. The inorganic or organic hydrogenous scintillating layer is further configured to emit at least one capture photon in response to the at least one gamma ray from the neutron capture layer. Detection of the collision photon and capture photon designate a detected and captured neutron.
Claims24
A heterogeneous capture-gated neutron spectrometer system, comprising:
- a hydrogenous scintillating layer configured to emit at least one collision photon when contacted with a neutron having an energy greater than a predetermined value;
- a neutron capture layer located adjacent the hydrogenous scintillating layer and configured to capture the neutron and emit at least one gamma ray;
- the hydrogenous scintillating layer further configured to emit at least one capture photon in response to the at least one gamma ray from the neutron capture layer;
- a photon detection device operable to receive and detect the at least one collision photon and the at least one capture photon, wherein the successful capture of the neutron is determined based on a detection of the at least one collision photon and a detection of the at least one capture photon.
A method for capturing and detecting neutrons, comprising:
- receiving a neutron in a hydrogenous scintillating layer configured to emit at least one collision photon released due to an interaction of the neutron with a hydrogen nucleus in the hydrogenous scintillating layer;
- detecting the at least one collision photon with a photon detection device operable to receive the at least one collision photon from the hydrogenous scintillating layer to form a kinetic energy signal;
- capturing the neutron in a neutron capture layer located adjacent the hydrogenous scintillating layer, wherein at least one gamma ray is emitted from the neutron capture layer upon capture of the neutron;
- detecting at least one capture photon with the photon detection device to form a capture signal, wherein the capture photon is generated through an interaction of the at least one gamma ray with electrons in the hydrogenous scintillating layer;
- and
- determining that a neutron has been captured when the kinetic energy signal and the capture signal occur within a predetermined time period.
A heterogeneous capture-gated neutron detector, comprising:
- a scintillating detection means configured to emit at least one collision photon when contacted with a neutron having an energy greater than a predetermined value;
- a neutron capture means configured to capture the neutron and emit at least one gamma ray;
- and
- the scintillating detection means further configured to emit at least one capture photon in response to the at least one gamma ray from the neutron capture layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.