Gas avalanche neutron detector
US8975593B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 2012 |
| Grant date | Mar 10, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T3/008
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A gas avalanche neutron detector (GAND) filled with counting gas for detecting thermal neutrons or neutron radiation without the use of a conventional proportional counter is provided. The GAND may include a layer of thermalization material, a cathode having a face with a layer of material, exhibiting neutron capture followed by charged particle emission such as Boron-10, a microstructure amplifier, and an anode. Thermal neutrons may enter the detector and interact with the material on the face of the cathode producing alpha particles. The alpha particles may ionize the counting gas inside the detector and produce ionization electrons. The cathode, microstructure amplifier and anode may have voltages applied that create electric fields that cause the ionization electrons to drift toward the microstructure amplifier. The microstructure then accelerates the electrons causing an avalanche effect within the gas and provides an amplification of the signal dramatically increasing neutron detection sensitivity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.