Boron-Lined Neutron Detector Measurements

Lintereur, Azaree T. ; Kouzes, Richard T. ; Ely, James H. ; Erikson, Luke E. ; Siciliano, Edward R.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (U.S.)

关键词: Portal Monitors;    Radiations;    Sensitivity;    Plutonium;    Efficiency;   

DOI  :  10.2172/968479
RP-ID  :  PNNL-18938
RP-ID  :  AC05-76RL01830
RP-ID  :  968479

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

Radiation portal monitors used for interdiction of illicit materials at borders include highly sensitive neutron detection systems. The main reason for having neutron detection capability is to detect fission neutrons from plutonium. The currently deployed radiation portal monitors (RPMs) from Ludlum and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) use neutron detectors based upon 3He-filled gas proportional counters, which are the most common large neutron detector. There is a declining supply of 3He in the world, and thus, methods to reduce the use of this gas in RPMs with minimal changes to the current system designs and sensitivity to cargo-borne neutrons are being investigated. Four technologies have been identified as being currently commercially available, potential alternative neutron detectors to replace the use of 3He in RPMs. Reported here are the results of tests of a newly designed boron-lined proportional counter option. This testing measured the neutron detection efficiency and gamma ray rejection capabilities of a system manufactured by Reuter Stokes.