Fast Neutron Detector Based on Proton Recoil Detection in a Composite Scintillator with Embedded Wavelength-Shifting Fibers

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This patent describes a fast neutron detector that uses a composite scintillator block embedded with wavelength-shifting fibers to efficiently detect fast neutrons while greatly reducing sensitivity to gamma rays. When a fast neutron interacts with hydrogen in the scintillator binder, it produces a recoil proton that generates light in the scintillating grains. The embedded fibers efficiently collect this light and transmit it to photosensors, enabling individual neutron event detection and discrimination from gamma events. The design supports high detection efficiency, low false positives from background radiation, and the potential to also detect and discriminate thermal neutrons.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Radiation portal monitors for border security to detect illicit transportation of special nuclear materials.
• Neutron imaging and radiography for the detection of hidden explosives or contraband materials.
• Nuclear facility monitoring for non-proliferation and safeguard applications.
• Spent nuclear fuel characterization and assay.
• Environments requiring discrimination between neutron and gamma-ray backgrounds, such as research reactors or medical isotope production facilities.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High detection efficiency for fast neutrons, improving sensitivity in critical applications like nuclear security.
• Very low sensitivity to gamma rays, greatly reducing false alarms due to background radiation.
• Capability for event-by-event signal processing and neutron/gamma discrimination.
• Supports pixelated designs for spatially resolved neutron detection or imaging.
• Potential to simultaneously detect and discriminate both fast and thermal neutrons, providing more comprehensive radiation information.
• Utilizes robust, non-toxic, and fire-resistant materials when compared to some conventional liquid scintillator solutions.

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Patent Abstract

A fast neutron detector with high detection efficiency and very low gamma sensitivity is disclosed. The detector is composed of an assembly of individual detection elements. Each detection element (100) comprises a block of composite scintillator (102) that contains embedded wavelength-shifting fibers (101) uniformly distributed in the scintillator block, which provide a uniform and efficient collection of the scintillation light. The composite scintillator (102) is made of inorganic scintillating grains dispersed in a hydrogenous and optically transparent binder. The most probable interaction of the fast neutrons in the scintillator is the elastic scattering on a hydrogen nucleus of the binder that results in a recoil proton. The recoil proton travels through several scintillation grains producing scintillation light. The wavelength-shifting fibers (102) of a detection element (100) are coupled to one or more photosensors (105) that are read out individually.