Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Compact thermal neutron monitor

a monitor and thermal neutron technology, applied in the direction of radiation intensity measurement, instruments, x/gamma/cosmic radiation measurement, etc., can solve the problems that existing radiation detectors cannot detect gamma rays from shielded weapons, and the detection needs of existing radiological weapons are not met, so as to avoid complexity and manufacturing costs. , the effect of signal-to-noise ratio

Active Publication Date: 2013-04-25
THERMO SCI PORTABLE ANALYTICAL INSTR INC
View PDF4 Cites 29 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is for a small thermal neutron monitor that uses a special scintillator material to detect thermal neutrons. The scintillator is sandwiched between two light guides, which capture and direct the light emitted by the scintillator in opposite directions. This design improves the signal-to-noise ratio and makes the monitor more sensitive to thermal neutrons than previous designs. It also avoids the need for multiple detectors, which could increase complexity and cost.

Problems solved by technology

Existing commercial radiation detectors do not meet existing radiological weapon detection needs, including selectivity, efficiency, portability, and detection of the three main types of radioactive weapons.
Further, existing radiation detectors cannot detect gamma rays from a shielded weapon, for example, a weapon shielded by lead.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Compact thermal neutron monitor
  • Compact thermal neutron monitor
  • Compact thermal neutron monitor

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0014]A description of preferred embodiments of the invention follows.

[0015]The various embodiments herein relate to methods and an apparatus for detecting targets, e.g., signatures of radioactive weapons such as neutrons and gamma rays, and high-Z materials, e.g., lead, tungsten, and the like, that can shield gamma ray sources from detection. The various embodiments described here are examples of many configurations of a “universal”, portable, hand-held, terrorist-threat detector that can identify such targets. In various embodiments, detection is possible for one or more targets, such as: gamma rays, e.g., gamma rays characteristic of specific radioisotopes; neutrons characteristic of plutonium; and high atomic-weight (high Z) material that can shield radioactive, e.g., gamma ray sources. In some embodiments, a single handheld detector is employed to record evidence of these targets and alert the operator to their presence.

[0016]FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of selective radiation ...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A thermal neutron monitor includes at least one neutron scintillator sheet interposed between light guides. Scintillation light emitted in opposite transverse directions is captured by the light guides and conveyed to a common detector. The sandwiched geometry of the monitor avoids the need to provide multiple detectors and permits construction of a relatively inexpensive, compact monitor.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 10 / 861,332 entitled “Neutron and Gamma Ray Monitor”, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 476,101, filed on Jun. 5, 2003, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]With the rise of terrorism there is a growing need for effective detectors for radioactive weapons of mass destruction, or materials used to shield their radiation form detection, e.g., high atomic weight elements. Three weapons of special concern are so-called “dirty bombs”, uranium-based atomic bombs, and plutonium-based atomic bombs. For example, dirty bombs include chemical explosives surrounded by radioactive materials to be dispersed upon detonation, contaminating the surroundings. Dirty bombs can be detected by their emitted radiation, gamma and bremsstrahlung radiation being the most common signatures. Uranium-based ato...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): G01T3/06G01T1/20
CPCG01T1/2008G01T3/06
Inventor GRODZINS, LEE
Owner THERMO SCI PORTABLE ANALYTICAL INSTR INC