Method for improving the angular resolution of a neutron scatter camera
US8338795B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V5/281
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An instrument that will directly image the fast fission neutrons from a special nuclear material source wherein the neutron detection efficiency is increased has been described. Instead of the previous technique that uses a time-of-flight (TOF) between 2 widely spaced fixed planes of neutron detectors to measure scatter neutron kinetic energy, we now use the recoil proton energy deposited in the second of the 2 scatter planes which can now be repositioned either much closer together or further apart. However, by doubling the separation distance between the 2 planes from 20 cm to a distance of 40 cm we improved the angular resolution of the detector from about 12° to about 10°. A further doubling of the separation distance to 80 cm provided an addition improvement in angular resolution of the detector to about 6° without adding additional detectors or ancillary electronics. The distance between planes also may be dynamically changed using a suitable common technique such as a gear- or motor-drive to toggle between the various positions. The angular resolution of this new configuration, therefore, is increased at the expanse of detection sensitivity. However, the diminished sensitivi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.