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Production of an Associated Particle Neutron Generator with ZnO:Ga Alpha-Detector

Conference ·
OSTI ID:977105
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)
  2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  3. 2K Corporation, West Lafayette, IN (United States)
  4. Lexel Imaging Systems, Incorporated, Lexington, KY (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

An associated particle neutron generator (APNG) capable of 109 neutrons per second has been operated with an alpha particle detector made of a ZnO:Ga phosphor with decay time of approximately 1 ns. Fast 14.1 MeV neutrons and 3.5 MeV alpha particles are produced through deuterium-tritium (DT) fusion reactions and travel in opposite directions to conserve momentum. The neutron generator provides high-rate capability, excellent subnanosecond time resolution (< 0.7 ns), and a large solid angle with acceptance of 8%. The alpha detector was found to have a detection efficiency of 88% using a Burle 8850 bialkali photocathode. The DT beam spot diameter was measured down to 2.1 mm with the possibility of achieving 1 mm if desired. An opaque aperture was placed on the alpha detector and the neutron beam was obstructed using various amounts of lead shielding in an effort to study the generator s imaging contrast capability for neutron radiography. The alpha detector can be pixilated using a multianode photomultiplier tube to deliver imaging capability and to enhance the signal to noise ratio. Due to its ability to suppress background, the developed APNG is to be used to search cargo containers for illicit special nuclear materials, using as a trigger prompt fission gamma ray in coincidence with an alpha particle within a 10 ns gate.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); 2K Corporation, West Lafayette, IN (United States); Lexel Imaging Systems, Incorporated, Lexington, KY (United States); Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
977105
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ALPHA PARTICLES
APERTURES
Alpha Particle Detector
Associated Particle Neutron Generator (APNG)
CARGO
CONTAINERS
Cargo Containers
Cargo Containers Searching
DECAY
DETECTION
Deuterium-Tritium (DT) Fusion Reactions
EFFICIENCY
FISSION
Illicit Special Nuclear Materials
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRON GENERATORS
NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY
NEUTRONS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOMULTIPLIERS
PRODUCTION
SHIELDING
SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
TIME RESOLUTION
ZnO:Ga Phosphor