Fast Neutron Detection Structure with Hydrogen Conversion Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accuracy of neutron energy spectrum detection is compromised by background signals from gamma rays and charged particles in existing methods, leading to errors in the inversion of neutron energy spectra.
Innovation Solution
A detection structure comprising seven semiconductor detection units arranged in specific groups for anticoincidence, neutral particle background measurement, and recoil proton detection, with a hydrogen-containing conversion layer to generate and measure recoil protons, effectively reducing background influences and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the recoil proton method is used to detect fast neutrons by measuring recoil protons in a hydrogen-containing material, then the neutron energy spectrum can be acquired, but gamma rays and charged particles from the background deposit energy in the detection system which influences the accuracy of the energy spectrum and results in large errors in the inversed neutron energy spectrum
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into three distinct detection groups with specialized functions: the first detection group (first, fourth, and seventh semiconductor detection units) is dedicated to charged particle background detection, the second detection group (second and third semiconductor detection units) measures neutral particle background, and the third detection group (fifth and sixth semiconductor detection units) measures recoil proton energy spectrum. This segmentation allows each group to focus on specific particle types, enabling effective background subtraction and improving the accuracy of neutron energy spectrum measurement by isolating and removing background signal contributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and separately measures the background signals from gamma rays and charged particles using dedicated detection groups (first and second detection groups) before analyzing the recoil proton signals. By taking out the background components and measuring them independently, the system can subtract these background contributions from the total signal, leaving only the pure neutron-induced recoil proton spectrum for accurate energy spectrum inversion.
2Measurement precision
If multiple semiconductor detection units are arranged in specific groups for anticoincidence and background measurement, then the accuracy of neutron energy spectrum is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each semiconductor detection unit is designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall device complexity. The detection units can operate in different modes depending on which detection group they belong to: they can detect charged particles, neutral particles, or recoil protons based on their group assignment. This universal design allows the same basic detector technology to serve multiple purposes across different functional groups, reducing the need for entirely different detector types and simplifying the overall system architecture despite the multiple units required.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection structure employs a nested arrangement where seven semiconductor detection units are stacked sequentially in a compact configuration. The first, fourth, and seventh units form the outer anticoincidence layer, while the second, third, fifth, and sixth units are nested in the middle positions. This nested doll-like structure allows multiple detection functions to be integrated in a compact vertical arrangement, reducing the horizontal space required and making the complex multi-group structure more manageable and space-efficient.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed structure significantly enhances the accuracy and reliability of the neutron energy spectrum by effectively reducing background signal influences and allowing for precise extraction of the recoil proton energy spectrum, leading to improved inversed neutron energy spectrum accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
incident fast neutrons collision with hydrogen atomic nuclei in the conversion layer and generate the recoil protons
Implementation Method 2
each semiconductor detection unit comprises at least one semiconductor detector; the first semiconductor detection unit, the fourth semiconductor detection unit and the seventh semiconductor detection unit constitute an anticoincidence detection group which is used to delete charged particle signals
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a detection structure for fast neutrons and a method for acquiring a neutron energy spectrum, the detection structure for fast neutrons comprises seven semiconductor detection units and a conversion layer made of a hydrogen-containing material, the seven semiconductor detection units comprise a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth and a seventh semiconductor detection unit arranged sequentially, the first, the fourth and the seventh semiconductor detection unit constitute an anticoincidence detection group, the second and the third semiconductor detection unit constitute a neutral particle background detection group, the fifth and the sixth semiconductor detection unit constitute a recoil proton detection group, the conversion layer is disposed between the fourth and the fifth semiconductor detection unit, incident neutrons collision with hydrogen atomic nuclei and generate the recoil protons. The present application can effectively reduce influence of background signals on the measurement and improve accuracy of the inversed neutron energy spectrum.