Neutron range spectrometer

Patent · Tue Jun 06 00:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:866989

Manglos, Stephen H ^[1]

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1. East Syracuse, NY

A neutron range spectrometer and method for determining the neutron energy spectrum of a neutron emitting source are disclosed. Neutrons from the source are collimnated along a collimation axis and a position sensitive neutron counter is disposed in the path of the collimated neutron beam. The counter determines positions along the collimation axis of interactions between the neutrons in the neutron beam and a neutron-absorbing material in the counter. From the interaction positions, a computer analyzes the data and determines the neutron energy spectrum of the neutron beam. The counter is preferably shielded and a suitable neutron-absorbing material is He-3. The computer solves the following equation in the analysis: ##EQU1## where: N(x).DELTA.x=the number of neutron interactions measured between a position x and x+.DELTA.x, A.sub.i (E.sub.i).DELTA.E.sub.i =the number of incident neutrons with energy between E.sub.i and E.sub.i +.DELTA.E.sub.i, and C=C(E.sub.i)=N .sigma.(E.sub.i) where N=the number density of absorbing atoms in the position sensitive counter means and .sigma. (E.sub.i)=the average cross section of the absorbing interaction between E.sub.i and E.sub.i +.DELTA.E.sub.i.

• Research Organization: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP03533
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4837442
• Application Number: 07/166,581
• OSTI ID: 866989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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absorbing
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data
delta
density
determines
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equ1
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