Multichannel Neutron Collimator for Short-Distance Beam Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing neutron collimators are large, require intense neutron sources, and long collimation distances, necessitating large facilities and vacuum or low-scattering gas environments, limiting their application to large-scale plants and causing non-uniform illumination and image artifacts.
Innovation Solution
A compact multichannel collimator with alternating collimating and absorbing channels, allowing for high collimation power and adaptable field of view, utilizing air or vacuum channels and absorbent materials like Boron, Lithium, and Gadolinium, with a checkerboard structure for precise neutron guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional single-channel collimators are used to achieve high collimation power, then neutron beam directionality is improved, but the required collimation distance and facility size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is divided into multiple parallel channels (e.g., 7 channels) instead of using a single long channel. Each channel provides collimation independently, and the combined effect achieves high collimation power with a much shorter overall length. The segmentation allows the system to maintain directional precision while reducing the longitudinal dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional single-channel approach to a multi-dimensional array of parallel channels. By distributing collimation across multiple spatial dimensions (multiple channels arranged in parallel), the system achieves the same collimation effect in a compact configuration rather than requiring a long single path.
2Measurement precision
If long collimation distances are used to reduce beam divergence, then neutron trajectory precision is improved, but the facility size and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collimation function is segmented across multiple parallel channels, each contributing to the overall trajectory precision. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high precision without requiring a single extremely long path, thereby reducing facility size and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple parallel channels are merged into a single collimator assembly that functions as one integrated unit. The combined effect of all channels provides the required trajectory precision while maintaining a compact facility footprint, avoiding the need for individually long channels.
3Quantity of substance
If intense neutron sources are used to compensate for beam attenuation, then sufficient neutron flux is achieved, but the required facility scale and safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator segments the neutron beam into multiple parallel channels, reducing the attenuation path length for each channel compared to a single long channel. This segmentation maintains sufficient neutron flux without requiring an extremely intense source, thereby reducing facility scale and safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By distributing the beam across multiple spatial dimensions (parallel channels), the system maintains adequate neutron flux through increased spatial distribution rather than requiring higher source intensity, thus avoiding the need for large-scale facilities.
4Reliability
If vacuum or low-scattering gas environments are used to reduce neutron scattering, then beam quality is improved, but the system complexity and operational constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple parallel channels create shorter individual paths that are less susceptible to scattering effects. This segmentation reduces the requirement for stringent environmental control (vacuum or special gas), thereby simplifying the system while maintaining beam quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses spatial distribution across multiple channels to mitigate scattering effects rather than relying on environmental control. By shortening individual channel paths through multi-dimensional arrangement, the system maintains beam quality without complex environmental requirements.
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
Enables high-quality neutron imaging and scattering in smaller facilities with less intense sources, reducing scanning times and eliminating image artifacts, facilitating local neutron investigation centers and applications in various industries.
Implementation Method 1
The collimator has a multichannel structure with alternating collimating and absorbing channels, utilizing air or vacuum channels and absorbent materials like Boron, Lithium, and Gadolinium
Data Source
AI summary
A compact and small size multichannel collimator for neutrons with energies up to 50 keV is provided. The collimator has a multichannel structure composed of collimating channels (in air, vacuum or in the non-interacting atmosphere of Helium-4) alternating with “full” channels made with absorbent materials for slow neutrons. The geometry of the individual collimating and absorbing channels can be arbitrary. The geometry with channels of square section, such as to create a perfect checkerboard, is preferred from the point of view of ease of construction.