Neutron detector
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting neutrons, comprising:
- a volume of neutron moderating material having a selected outside surface; and
,four groups of neutron detecting elements, each group comprising at least one detecting element, each of said groups disposed at a substantially different distance from said selected outside surface so that each of said groups is separated from said selected surface by a substantially different areal density of said moderating material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A neutron detector has a volume of neutron moderating material and a plurality of individual neutron sensing elements dispersed at selected locations throughout the moderator, and particularly arranged so that some of the detecting elements are closer to the surface of the moderator assembly and others are more deeply embedded. The arrangement captures some thermalized neutrons that might otherwise be scattered away from a single, centrally located detector element. Different geometrical arrangements may be used while preserving its fundamental characteristics. Different types of neutron sensing elements may be used, which may operate on any of a number of physical principles to perform the function of sensing a neutron, either by a capture or a scattering reaction, and converting that reaction to a detectable signal. High detection efficiency, an ability to acquire spectral information, and directional sensitivity may be obtained.
87 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting neutrons, comprising:
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a volume of neutron moderating material having a selected outside surface; and
,four groups of neutron detecting elements, each group comprising at least one detecting element, each of said groups disposed at a substantially different distance from said selected outside surface so that each of said groups is separated from said selected surface by a substantially different areal density of said moderating material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for detecting fissile materials comprising:
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a particle generator configured to provide particles capable of inducing neutron emission from at least one fissile material; a volume of neutron moderating material having a selected outside surface; and
,four groups of neutron detecting elements, each group comprising at least one detecting element, each of said groups disposed at a substantially different distance from said selected outside surface so that each of said groups is separated from said selected surface by a substantially different areal density of said moderating material. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for detecting neutrons, comprising:
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a volume of neutron moderating material having a selected outside surface; and
,three groups of neutron detecting elements, each group comprising a plurality of individual detecting elements, each of said groups disposed at a substantially different distance from said selected outside surface so that each of said groups is separated from said selected surface by a substantially different areal density of said moderating material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification