Neutron Detector Using User Body as Moderator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional neutron detectors are not efficient in detecting high-energy neutrons and lack compactness, making them unsuitable for applications requiring both sensitivity and portability.
Innovation Solution
A compact neutron detector design that utilizes a conversion layer with a mixture of neutron-absorbing and scintillation materials, positioned within the detector to benefit from the moderating effects of a user's body, eliminating the need for dedicated moderator materials and enhancing sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional neutron detectors use thermal neutron detection materials, then detection efficiency for thermal neutrons is improved, but detection efficiency for high-energy neutrons deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the human body as a natural neutron moderator. The detector is positioned against the user's body, and the body's composition (water, hydrogen-containing tissues) serves to moderate high-energy neutrons to thermal energies, enabling efficient detection by thermal neutron detection materials without requiring additional moderator materials in the detector design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs the self-service principle by using the user's own body as the neutron moderating medium. The human body naturally contains sufficient hydrogen and water content to moderate neutrons, eliminating the need for separate moderator components and making the detector inherently adaptable to different users without requiring customization.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated neutron moderator materials are added to the detector, then sensitivity to high-energy neutrons is improved, but detector mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector design eliminates the need for dedicated moderator materials by utilizing the user's body as the moderating medium. This self-service approach allows the detector to maintain portability and low mass while still achieving effective moderation of high-energy neutrons through the natural composition of the human body.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the moderation function from the detector system itself and relocates it to the user's body. By removing the need for moderator materials from the detector design, the system achieves high-energy neutron detection capability without adding mass to the detector.
3Ease of operation
If the detector is designed for portability, then ease of operation is improved, but detection sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The portable detector achieves high detection sensitivity by utilizing the user's body as a natural moderator. The body's hydrogen-containing tissues provide the necessary neutron moderation capability, allowing the detector to maintain both portability and sensitivity without requiring heavy moderator materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The human body serves multiple functions in this system: it acts as both the operator and the neutron moderating medium. This multi-functionality allows the detector to remain portable while achieving effective neutron detection, as the body naturally provides the moderation function that would otherwise require separate components.
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 design significantly improves sensitivity to high-energy neutrons without increasing the detector's mass, providing a reliable and portable solution for neutron detection.
Implementation Method 1
a conversion layer comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material; a light-guide arranged to receive photons emitted from the scintillation material; and a photodetector optically coupled to the light-guide and arranged to detect photons generated as a result of neutron absorption events
Implementation Method 2
a conversion layer comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material; photons generated as a result of neutron absorption events in the conversion layer
Implementation Method 3
the conversion layer is positioned within the neutron detector such that when the apparatus is being carried by a user in normal use neutrons are absorbed in the conversion layer after passing through the user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprises a neutron detector. The neutron detector comprises a conversion layer comprising a mixture of a neutron absorbing material and a scintillation material; and a photodetector optically coupled to the conversion layer and arranged to detect photons generated as a result of neutron absorption events in the conversion layer; wherein the apparatus is adapted to be carried by a user and the conversion layer is positioned within the neutron detector such that when the apparatus is being carried by a user in normal use neutrons are absorbed in the conversion layer after passing through the user such that the user's body provides a neutron moderating effect. In some cases the apparatus may be carried in association with a backpack or clothing worn by a user, for example, the neutron detector may be sized to fit in a pocket. In other cases the apparatus may be a hand-held device with the conversion layer arranged within a handle of the device to be gripped by a user when being carried.