Concentric Fast Neutron Spectrometer for Compact Spectrum Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neutron detectors, such as Bonner Ball Neutron Detectors and Capture-Gated Neutron Scintillator Detectors, are impractical for measuring neutron fields in compact spaces due to their large size and mass, and face challenges in accurately characterizing high-energy neutrons in intense radiation fields, leading to measurement errors.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized isotropic fast neutron spectrometer with a spherical secondary particle radiator and multiple semiconductor detectors, which generates secondary particles from neutron interactions and uses these particles to reconstruct the neutron kinetic energy spectrum, providing accurate measurements in a compact and portable form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Bonner Ball Neutron Detectors are used to measure neutron fields, then neutron kinetic energy spectrum can be characterized, but the detector size and mass become unacceptably large
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is segmented into multiple concentric spherical shells, each with different hydrogen-to-modifier atom ratios. This segmentation allows the detector to characterize neutron kinetic energy spectrum across a wide range without requiring a single large detector, thus reducing overall detector size and mass while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the detector (concentric shells) have different hydrogen-to-modifier atom ratios optimized for detecting neutrons of specific energy ranges. This local quality variation enables accurate spectrum characterization across all energy ranges using a compact detector structure, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and detector size.
2Weight of stationary object
If detector size is reduced for portability, then mass and volume requirements are met, but maximum resolvable neutron kinetic energy is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple concentric shells with progressively different hydrogen-to-modifier atom ratios. Each shell is optimized to detect neutrons of specific energy ranges, allowing a compact detector to resolve maximum neutron kinetic energies that would otherwise require a much larger single detector.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing detector size in one dimension to detect higher energy neutrons, the invention uses multiple dimensions (concentric shells with different compositions) to achieve the same goal. This dimensional approach allows a compact detector to characterize the full neutron energy spectrum.
3Measurement precision
If Capture-Gated Neutron Scintillator Detectors are used, then incident neutron energy information is obtained directly, but signal processing complexity increases and measurement errors occur in intense neutron fields
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex scintillation-based detection system with a semiconductor detector system that uses electrical signals instead of light signals. This substitution simplifies the readout and signal processing electronics while maintaining the ability to obtain incident neutron energy information directly, and reduces measurement errors in intense neutron fields.
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 solution enables precise characterization of neutron kinetic energy spectra in small, portable detectors, reducing measurement errors and overcoming the size and mass limitations of existing technologies, while maintaining high efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
secondary particles are generated from interactions of incident neutrons with the spherical secondary particle radiator component
Implementation Method 2
detecting electrical output signals from the one or more semiconductor detectors
Data Source
AI summary
An isotropic neutron detector includes a spherical secondary particle radiator component and a plurality of stacked semiconductor detectors. A first semiconductor detector is coupled to at least a portion of the spherical secondary particle radiator component, forming a portion of a first concentric shell thereover. A second semiconductor detector coupled to at least a portion of the first semiconductor detector, forming a portion of a second concentric shell thereover.