Apparatus and method for determination of one or more free neutron characteristics

An apparatus for determination of one or more free neutron characteristics, comprising:

• one or more neutron detectors, the one or more neutron detectors comprising:
• a plurality of neutron detection devices;
• a plurality of discrete neutron moderating elements, wherein each of the neutron moderating elements is disposed between two or more neutron detection devices, the plurality of neutron detection devices and the plurality of discrete neutron moderating elements disposed along a common axis;
• one or more backscatter blockers disposed in proximity to one or more of the neutron detection devices, the one or more backscatter stoppers configured to inhibit neutron intensity smearing along one or more coordinate axes;
• and
• a control system communicatively coupled to each of the neutron detection devices, the control system configured to:
• generate a detector response library, wherein the detector response library includes one or more sets of data indicative of a response of the one or more neutron detectors to a known neutron source;
• receive one or more measured neutron response signals from each of the neutron devices, the one or more measured response signals responsive to a detected neutron event;
• and
• determine one or more characteristics of neutrons emanating from a measured neutron source by comparing the one or more measured neutron response signals to the detector response library.