Low-energy neutron detector based upon lithium lanthanide borate scintillators

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1998

OSTI ID:871450

Czirr, John B ^[1]

---

1. Mapleton, UT

An apparatus for detecting neutrons includes a cerium activated scintillation crystal containing .sup.10 B, with the scintillation crystal emitting light in response to .alpha. particles emitted from the .sup.10 B(n,.alpha.)Li* reaction. The apparatus also includes a gamma scintillator positioned adjacent the crystal and which generates light in response to gamma rays emitted from the decay of Li*. The apparatus further includes a first and a second light-to-electronic signal converter each positioned to respectively receive light from the crystal and the gamma scintillator, and each respectively outputting first and second electronic signals representative of .alpha. particles from the .sup.10 B(n,.alpha.)Li* reaction and gamma rays from the .sup.10 B(n,.alpha.)Li* reaction. The apparatus includes a coincidence circuit connected to receive the first and second signals and which generates a coincidence signal when the first and second signals coincide. The apparatus also includes a data analyzer for receiving an additional signal from at least one of the first and second converters, and for operating in response to the coincidence signal.

• Research Organization: Mission Support Incorporated (Salt Lake City, UT)
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-95ER82032
• Assignee: Mission Support Incorporated (Salt Lake City, UT)
• Patent Number(s): US 5734166
• OSTI ID: 871450
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

low-energy
neutron
detector
based
lithium
lanthanide
borate
scintillators
apparatus
detecting
neutrons
cerium
activated
scintillation
crystal
containing
10
emitting
light
response
alpha
particles
emitted
reaction
gamma
scintillator
positioned
adjacent
generates
rays
decay
light-to-electronic
signal
converter
respectively
receive
outputting
electronic
signals
representative
coincidence
circuit
connected
coincide
data
analyzer
receiving
additional
converters
operating
signals representative
detecting neutrons
circuit connected
gamma rays
gamma ray
neutron detector
positioned adjacent
receive light
electronic signal
rays emitted
scintillation crystal
particles emitted
electronic signals
emitting light
energy neutron
detecting neutron
detector based
crystal containing
/250/252/