Neutron detection based on boron activated liquid scintillation
US7126148B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S250/90
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system for detecting neutron radiation. A liquid cocktail mixture comprised of a neutron absorber and a scintillator is housed in a Teflon® tube having a mirror at one end of the tube and a windowed portal at the other end of the tube. Neutrons that penetrate the tube react with the neutron absorber producing ionization that excites a scintillator to produce photons. A photo-multiplier tube is coupled with the windowed portal for receiving photons and converting the photons to electrical signals. A processing device is coupled to the photo-multiplier output for receiving and analyzing the electrical signals so as to provide a measurement pertaining to the presence and relative strength of neutron radiation. The tube can be adapted to function as a portable survey instrument. Alternatively, the tube can be stretched to cover large apertured areas. In such implementations a wavelength shifter is employed to convert light emitted to another wavelength giving a multiplier effect necessary for long light guides.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.