Geometrically optimized fast neutron detector
US6566657B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 7, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T3/06
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An improved fast neutron detector fabricated with alternating layers of hydrogenous, optically transparent, non scintillating material and scintillating material. Fast neutrons interact with the hydrogenous material generating recoil protons. The recoil protons enter the scintillating material resulting in scintillations. The detector is optically coupled to a photomultiplier tube which generates electrical pulses proportional in amplitude to the intensity of the scintillations, and therefore are an indication of the energy of the fast neutrons impinging upon the detector. Alternating layers of materials are dimensioned to optimize total efficiency of the detector, or to optimize the spectroscopy efficiency of the detector. The scintillating material is preferably ZnS, and the hydrogenous material is preferably plastic. The detector is ideally suited for well logging applications and fast neutron monitor applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.