Material identification based upon energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons
US9151852B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 6, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N23/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various technologies pertaining to identifying a material in a sample and imaging the sample are described herein. The material is identified by computing energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons that is caused by presence of the sample in travel paths of the neutrons. A mono-energetic neutron generator emits the neutron, which is downscattered in energy by a first detector unit. The neutron exits the first detector unit and is detected by a second detector unit subsequent to passing through the sample. Energy-dependent attenuation of neutrons passing through the sample is computed based upon a computed energy of the neutron, wherein such energy can be computed based upon 1) known positions of the neutron generator, the first detector unit, and the second detector unit; or 2) computed time of flight of neutrons between the first detector unit and the second detector unit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.