Neutron Imager With Spaced Diamond Detector Arrays

Abstract

A neutron detector system, with a detector having a pair of spaced diamond detector layers, sandwiched between outer silicon layers. In response to incident neutrons, the detector system measures pulse heights and response times, and from those measurements, calculates the carbon recoil energy and time of flight of scattered neutrons. This data is further used to calculate a “direction cone”, which represents the approximate angle of arrival of the incident neutron. These direction cones can be used to image neutron events.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to neutron detection and imaging, and more particularly to a neutron imager using diamond detector arrays.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0002]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 416,116, filed Nov. 1, 2016.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Neutron detection is the effective detection of neutrons entering a detector instrument that receives and measures an incoming neutron flux. Two key aspects to effective neutron detection are its hardware and software. Detection hardware refers to the kind of neutron detector used and the electronics used for detection. Detection software consists of analysis tools that perform analysis tasks to measure the number and energies of neutrons striking the detector.[0004]One approach to neutron imaging uses scintillator arrays, which rely on neutrons' elastic scattering properties with protons. Neutrons collide with the nucleus of atoms in the sci...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a neutron detection system that uses diamond detectors and special logic to image neutrons. These detectors are tolerant to extreme temperatures, making them suitable for use in space missions. The system can determine the composition of volatile components in remote areas like the Moon or small bodies with high resolution. The invention can support lander or rover-based missions for primitive bodies and the Moon. Overall, this system provides valuable information for future planetary resource utilization and human exploration.

Problems solved by technology

However, previous neutron imagers that have used proportional counters or scintillators connected to photomultiplier tubes are bulky and power-consuming.

These characteristics make these systems unsuitable for space missions, small unmanned aircraft, and hand-held devices.

In addition, these systems are highly sensitive to many types of radiations, making them unsuitable for use in environments with high background radiation levels.

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