Shifting scintillator neutron detector
US8664608B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T5/08
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Provided are sensors and methods for detecting thermal neutrons. Provided is an apparatus having a scintillator for absorbing a neutron, the scintillator having a back side for discharging a scintillation light of a first wavelength in response to the absorbed neutron, an array of wavelength-shifting fibers proximate to the back side of the scintillator for shifting the scintillation light of the first wavelength to light of a second wavelength, the wavelength-shifting fibers being disposed in a two-dimensional pattern and defining a plurality of scattering plane pixels where the wavelength-shifting fibers overlap, a plurality of photomultiplier tubes, in coded optical communication with the wavelength-shifting fibers, for converting the light of the second wavelength to an electronic signal, and a processor for processing the electronic signal to identify one of the plurality of scattering plane pixels as indicative of a position within the scintillator where the neutron was absorbed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.