Palm-size low-level neutron sensor for radiation monitoring

Author

Aryaeinejad, R. ; Dardenne, Y.X. ; Cole, J.D. ; Caffrey, A.J.

Author_Institution

Idaho Nat. Eng. Lab., Idaho Falls, ID, USA

Volume

43

Issue

3

fYear

1996

fDate

6/1/1996 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1539

Lastpage

1543

Abstract

We have developed a new technique for the detection of neutrons in the presence of a high gamma-ray background. This was accomplished by using two lithium-loaded glass scintillators (⁶Li/⁷Li) in combination. The neutron capture reaction in ⁶Li has a very high Q-value which means better discrimination against gamma-ray background. The ⁷Li detector, on the other hand, is neutron insensitive and was used to measure separately the gamma contribution in a mixed neutron-gamma field. By subtracting this gamma contribution from the ⁶Li data, which is sensitive to both gamma rays and neutrons, one can obtain the pure neutron counts

Keywords

lithium; neutron detection; radiation monitoring; solid scintillation detectors; ⁶Li; ⁷Li; Li; Li-loaded glass scintillators; Q-value; high gamma-ray background; mixed neutron-gamma field; neutron capture reaction; neutron detection; palm-size low-level neutron sensor; radiation monitoring; Containers; Fuel storage; Gamma ray detection; Gamma ray detectors; Gamma rays; Glass; Material storage; Neutrons; Radiation monitoring; Radioactive waste;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Nuclear Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9499

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/23.507099

Filename

507099