Hydrogen Recoil Proportional Counter for Neutron Detection

J. H. Coon; R. A. Nobles

doi:10.1063/1.1740816

Novel concept for neutron detection: proportional counter filled with 10B nanoparticle aerosol

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/srep41699 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

F. D. Amaro ◽

C. M. B. Monteiro ◽

J. M. F. dos Santos ◽

A. Antognini

Keyword(s):

Proportional Counter ◽

Gamma Ray ◽

Detection Efficiency ◽

Radiation Detection ◽

Neutron Detection ◽

Nuclear Material ◽

Sensitive Material ◽

Proportional Counters ◽

Thermal Neutron Beam ◽

Novel Concept

Abstract The high neutron detection efficiency, good gamma-ray discrimination and non-toxicity of 3He made of proportional counters filled with this gas the obvious choice for neutron detection, particularly in radiation portal monitors (RPM), used to control the illicit transport of nuclear material, of which neutron detectors are key components. 3He is very rare and during the last decade this gas has become increasingly difficult to acquire. With the exception of BF3, which is toxic, no other gas can be used for neutron detection in proportional counters. We present an alternative where the 3He atoms are replaced by nanoparticles made of another neutron sensitive material, 10B. The particles are dispersed in a gaseous volume, forming an aerosol with neutron sensitive properties. A proportional counter filled with such aerosol was exposed to a thermal neutron beam and the recorded response indicates that the neutrons have interacted with the particles in the aerosol. This original technique, which transforms a standard proportional gas mixture into a neutron sensitive aerosol, is a breakthrough in the field of radiation detection and has the potential to become an alternative to the use of 3He in proportional counters.

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A new position sensitive proportional counter with microstrip anode for neutron detection

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors and Associated Equipment ◽

10.1016/0168-9002(89)90287-8 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 284 (1) ◽

pp. 223-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

A. Oed ◽

P. Convert ◽

M. Berneron ◽

H. Junk ◽

C. Budtz-Jørgensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proportional Counter ◽

Neutron Detection ◽

Position Sensitive

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Study and detection of relativistic Solar Neutrons at ground level with the Spherical Proportional Counter

HNPS Proceedings ◽

10.12681/hnps.1801 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

pp. 75

Author(s):

D. Kyratzis ◽

I. Savvidis

Keyword(s):

Cross Section ◽

Proportional Counter ◽

Fission Fragment ◽

Neutron Detection ◽

Ground Level ◽

High Energy ◽

Energy Interval ◽

Projected Range ◽

Detailed Simulation ◽

Thin Spherical Shell

A novel method of high energy solar neutron detection is proposed with the Spherical Proportional Counter (SPC), taking advantage of the 209Bi(n,f) reaction. This reaction, is considered as a standard for high energy neutron detection, due to large cross section values in the 100 MeV – 1 GeV energy interval, obtained in the n_TOF facility at CERN. A thin spherical shell of Bismuth will be situated in the large volume of the SPC, serving as target for high energy neutrons bombarding the detector, thus resulting in fission fragment emission. Detailed simulation of the 209Bi(n,f) reaction with the INCL++ model, coupled with the ABLA07 de–excitation code is performed (cross section, mass & atomic number distribution, kinetic energy per fragment) in the 100 MeV – 10 GeV energy interval, together with SRIM for the fragments’ projected range in 209Bi. Experimental data from a 252Cf source are obtained, in order to validate the SPC’s efficiency in fission fragment detection. Calculations for the expected reactions in the 209Bi shell have been performed in different atmospheric depths (700 & 1000 g/cm2), and various spherical detector radii.

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