Self-powered neutron and gamma-ray flux detector

Patent · Tue Aug 18 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5953617

Allan, C J; Cuttler, J M; Lynch, G F; Shields, R B

A self-powered neutron and gamma-ray flux detector is provided wherein the emitter comprises an emitter core of at least one material selected from nickel, iron, titanium and alloys based on these metals, and an emitter outer layer around the core which has a thickness in the range of the order of 0.03 mm to of the order of 0.062 mm and which is of at least one material selected from platinum, tantalum, osmium, molybdenum and cerium. With this construction, by increasing the emitter diameter beyond the optimum for a solid platinum emitter, the ratio of neutron to gamma-ray sensitivity, and hence the prompt response fraction, is increased while an acceptably small burnup rate is maintained. Larger diameter emitters of this construction have response characteristics that closely match those required for a fuel power detector in, for example, heavy-water-moderated, natural uranium power reactors. The emitter core is preferably of inconel (Trademark) and the emitter jacket is preferably of platinum.

• Assignee: Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd (Canada)
• Patent Number(s): US 4284893
• OSTI ID: 5953617
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

440101* -- Radiation Instrumentation-- General Detectors or Monitors & Radiometric Instruments
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ALLOYS
CERIUM
DESIGN
DIMENSIONS
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
ELEMENTS
IRON ALLOYS
LAYERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MOLYBDENUM
MONITORING
NATURAL URANIUM REACTORS
NEUTRON DETECTORS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NUCLEAR CORES
OSMIUM
PLATINUM
PLATINUM METALS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION MONITORING
RARE EARTHS
REACTORS
REFRACTORY METALS
SELF-POWERED DETECTORS
SELF-POWERED GAMMA DETECTORS
SELF-POWERED NEUTRON DETECTORS
TANTALUM
THICKNESS
TITANIUM ALLOYS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS