Glass-panel lithium-6 neutron detector
US9018594B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2013 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01T3/008
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A thermal neutron detector includes a planar detector housing having two glass panels spaced apart by a gas-tight seal defining a detection chamber. Lithium foils adhered to inner surfaces of the glass panel emit alpha particles and tritons in response to incident thermal neutrons, and an inert detection gas is ionized to generate drift electrons. A planar array of detection wires is spaced from the lithium foils and extends outside the detection chamber. Electronic bias applies a field voltage between the wires and the lithium foils to establish a drift electric field to attract the drift electrons to the wires and provide a large electric field to cause electron multiplication. Detection circuitry detects electric signals in the wires generated by the drift of positive ions away from the wires and interprets the electrical signals as incidence of thermal neutrons on the detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.