Plastic Scintillator Fast-Neutron Detector with Coated Sidewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fast-neutron detection technologies relying on 3He gas face supply shortages and limitations in maximizing detection efficiency due to the competitive relationship between moderated and measured volumes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and suboptimal detection performance.
Innovation Solution
Employing a plastic scintillator array with a neutron-sensitive coating film, such as boron or gadolinium, to achieve both moderation and signal formation, allowing for enhanced fast-neutron detection efficiency while eliminating the competitive constraints between moderated and measured volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 3He proportional counters with polyethylene moderators are used for fast-neutron detection, then thermal neutron absorbing efficiency is improved, but the moderated volume and measured volume are in competitive relation which limits maximum detection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the moderator and detector into a single integrated structure where the plastic scintillator serves both as the moderating medium and the detection medium. The neutron-sensitive coating film is applied directly on the sidewall surfaces of the scintillator, eliminating the separate polyethylene moderator component and resolving the volume competition between moderation and measurement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic scintillator performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the moderating material to slow down fast neutrons, serves as the detection medium to capture thermalized neutrons via the coating film, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate moderator and detector components.
2Reliability
If 3He gas is used as the detecting nuclide, then neutron detection capability is improved, but supply shortage leads to increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive and scarce 3He gas with a plastic scintillator and a thin neutron-sensitive coating film (containing boron or gadolinium). This substitution uses abundant, inexpensive materials while maintaining effective neutron detection capability through the coating's high neutron capture cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection mechanism from relying on 3He nuclear reactions to using proton recoil in plastic scintillator combined with neutron capture in the coating film. This parameter change in the detection principle allows use of abundant materials instead of scarce 3He gas.
3Measurement precision
If polyethylene moderator is used separate from 3He counter, then moderating function is improved, but space competition between moderated volume and measured volume limits detection efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the moderating function and measuring function into the same physical space by applying the neutron-sensitive coating directly on the scintillator surface. This eliminates the need for a separate polyethylene moderator volume, thereby eliminating the space competition between moderation and detection volumes.
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 higher fast-neutron detection efficiency by integrating moderation and measurement functions within the same volume, reducing manufacturing costs and overcoming supply constraints of 3He, thereby improving detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the present invention generally relates to application of nuclear technologies, and particularly to neutron scattering and security detection technologies
Implementation Method 2
a plastic scintillator unit which comprises a plastic scintillator
Implementation Method 3
sidewall surfaces of each plastic scintillator unit are covered or coated with a neutron-sensitive coating film
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a fast-neutron detector, comprising: a plastic scintillator array which includes at least one plastic scintillator unit, wherein sidewall surfaces of each plastic scintillator unit are covered or coated with a neutron-sensitive coating film. The fast-neutron detector based on such film-coated plastic scintillators according to the present invention advantageously addresses the mutual competition problem between a moderated volume and a measured volume in the prior art and can obtain a higher fast-neutron detecting efficiency.