Thermal neutron imaging in an active interrogation environment
نویسندگان
چکیده
We have developed a thermal-neutron coded-aperture imager that reveals the locations of hydrogenous materials from which thermal neutrons are being emitted. This imaging detector can be combined with an accelerator to form an active interrogation system in which fast neutrons are produced in a heavy metal target by means of excitation by high energy photons. The photo-induced neutrons can be either prompt or delayed, depending on whether neutronemitting fission products are generated. Provided that there are hydrogenous materials close to the target, some of the photo-induced neutrons slow down and emerge from the surface at thermal energies. These neutrons can be used to create images that show the location and shape of the thermalizing materials. Analysis of the temporal response of the neutron flux provides information about delayed neutrons from induced fission if there are fissionable materials in the target. The combination of imaging and time-of-flight discrimination helps to improve the signal-to-background ratio. It is also possible to interrogate the target with neutrons, for example using a D-T generator. In this case, an image can be obtained from hydrogenous material in a target without the presence of heavy metal. In addition, if fissionable material is present in the target, probing with fast neutrons can stimulate delayed neutrons from fission, and the imager can detect and locate the object of interest, using appropriate time gating. Operation of this sensitive detection equipment in the vicinity of an accelerator presents a number of challenges, because the accelerator emits electromagnetic interference as well as stray ionizing radiation, which can mask the signals of interest.
منابع مشابه
Development of Advanced Neutron/Gamma Generators for Imaging and Active Interrogation Applications
We report here on the development of neutron and photon sources for use in imaging and active interrogation applications, where there is a growing urgency for more advanced interrogation tools. These devices include high yield D-D, D-T and T-T fusion reaction based neutron generators and also low energy nuclear reaction based high-energy gamma generators. One common feature in these various dev...
متن کاملSimulation of a Neutron Detector for Real Time Imaging Applications
Monte Carlo Method is used to simulate a double layer gadolinium-amorphous silicon thermal neutron detector. The detector fabricated in pixel array configuration has various applications including neutron imaging. According to the simulation results, a detector consisting of a gadolinium (Gd) film with thickness of 2-4 ~m, sandwiched properly with two layers of sufficiently thick (-30 ?µm) hydr...
متن کاملOptimizing neutron yield for active interrogation
Neutrons are commonly used for many applications, including active interrogation and cancer therapy. One critical aspect for active interrogation efficiency is neutron yield, which is more important for successful resolution than the energy spectrum. The typical approach for improving neutron yield entails producing more neutrons, which has motivated multiple studies using the interaction of in...
متن کاملاندازهگیری دز گامای ایجاد شده توسط نوترونهای حرارتی در دزسنجTLD-700
Neutron response Induced in Thermoluminescence Dosimeter TLD-700 chips due to reactions of thermal neutrons with slab phantom and Badge Dosimeter TLD-600,700 materials in a neutron-gamma mixed field was measured. Using the linear relationship between thermal neutron fluence and the thermal neutrons induced TL response with slab phantom, Badge-TLD Materials, an empirical relationship was introdu...
متن کاملAn investigation into the potential applicability of gel dosimeters for dosimetry in boron neutron capture therapy
Background: The aim of this work was to establish how well gel dosimeters performed, as substitutes for brain tissue compared with standard phantom materials such as water, polymethyl-methacrylate (or PMMA), A150 plastic and TE- liquid phantom material for dosimetry of neutron beams in boron neutron capture therapy. Materials and Methods: Thermal neutron fluence, photon dose and epithermal neu...
متن کامل