Energy-sensitive fast neutron imaging detector and method for energy-sensitive fast neutron detection

US9632189B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Paul Scherrer Institut · CH

Inventors

• Marco Cortesi · Osio Sotto, IT
• Volker Dagendorf · Braunschweig, DE
• Horst-Michael Prasser · Dresden, DE
• Robert Zboray · Baden, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 2013
• Grant date: Apr 25, 2017
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01T3/008
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

An energy-sensitive imaging detector for fast-neutrons includes energy-selective radiator foil stacks converting neutrons into recoil protons. The foils are separated by gas-filled gaps and formed of two interconnected layers: a hydrogen-rich layer such as a polyethylene layer for neutron-to-proton conversion, and a metal foil layer, such as an aluminum layer, defining a proton energy cut-off and limiting a proton emission angle. Energetic recoil protons emerging from the radiator foil release electrons in surrounding gas in the gaps. An electric field efficiently drifts the electrons through the gaps. An electron detector with position sensitive readout, based on Micro-Pattern Gaseous Detector technologies (such as THick Gaseous Electron Multipliers—THGEM) or other measures provides electron amplification in gas. The charge detector has a dedicated imaging data-acquisition system detecting the drifted electrons thereby sensing the position of the original impinging neutrons.