Apparatus and method for neutron detection by capture-gamma calorimetry

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting neutron radiation, preferably thermal neutrons, comprising at least one first section (102) with a high neutron absorption capability and at least one second section (101) with a low neutron absorption capability, the second section comprising a gamma ray scintillator, the gamma ray scintillator material comprising an inorganic material with an attenuation length of less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm for gamma rays of 5 MeV energy in order to provide for high gamma ray stopping power for energetic gamma rays within the second section, where the material of the first section is selected from a group of materials, releasing the energy deployed in the first section by neutron capture mainly via gamma radiation, and where the second section is surrounding the first section in a way that a substantial portion of the first section is covered by the second section, the apparatus further comprising a light detector (103) 1, optically coupled to the second section in order to detect the amount of light in the second section, the apparatus further comprising an evaluation device coupled to the light detector, said device being able to determine the amount of light, detected by the light detector for one scintillation event, that amount being in a known relation to the energy deployed by gamma radiation in the second section, where the evaluation device is configured to classify detected radiation as neutrons when the measured total gamma energy E (sum) is above 2,614 MeV.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting neutron radiation, preferably thermal (slow) neutrons, using a gamma ray scintillator for indirect detection. Background technique [0002] Although there is a wide variety of methods and equipment available for neutron detection, it remains common in most applications requiring the most efficient neutron counting at the lowest cost. 3 The main pipe. However, it is expected 3 He is in short supply, making a need for a substitute. [0003] Such alternative detectors are known in the prior art. Knoll, Radiation Detection and Measurement, 3rd Edition, 2000, p. 506 states that all common reactions used to detect neutrons are reactions with the emission of charged particles. More specifically, possible reaction products for detection are recoil nuclei (mainly protons), tritons, alpha particles and fission fragments. However gamma rays following neutron capture reactions are used in some specialize...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

It is therefore necessary to measure this single decay very accurately in order to achieve at least reasonable results, thus greatly increasing the technical complexity and associated costs

In addition, it is difficult if not impossible to distinguish charged particle radiation (e.g. charged particle radiation of cosmic origin) with detectors as disclosed by Bell

[0012] In summary, the known medium The sub-detector concept is unmatched by 3 he tube competition

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