Ascertaining directionality information from incident nuclear radiation

Prototype Demonstration of Gamma- Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector – Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications

“…In other words, this has resulted [6,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] in a novel, simple to use, low cost, transformative class of sensors (field-relevant adaptations ongoing) with high intrinsic efficiency (≥90%) that are able to distinguish between neutrons, alpha particles, and fission fragments and simultaneously also provide directionality and multiplicity related information for neutron emissions -all from a single, portable sensor system for which the detection efficiency can be varied at will. These detectors can physically (human form adapted) "see" and "hear" radiation while also deriving spectroscopic information and discerning the direction of incoming radiation and remaining "blind" to gamma photons.…”

“…It is also feasible to passively monitor neutron emissions with greater than 90% intrinsic efficiency, and with ATMFDs for discerning the direction of a Pu-Be neutron source (±∼30º) with 90% ( Fig. 2.5) [13][14][15][16][17]. This evidence formed the basis for extending the technology not only for real-time neutron source directionality, but also for simultaneous source imaging such that the actual motion through space of SNMs can be monitored and tracked.…”

“…In this instance, the isotopic inventory which dominates the field is 244 Cm with an emission intensity of ∼10 9 n/s/MTU (0.5 year cooldown fuel). In case the SNF is already dissolved into HNO3 the resultant neutron output will be greater due to the additional 244/242 Cm(,n) 16 (iv) Sip a quantity (e.g., 1 µL) from the tank holding the dissolved SNM and dilute this with acetone (as was demonstrated [9] with NIST-certified standards). The degree of dilution may be pre-estimated based on the expected total activity such that the overall activity is in the Bq/cc range only.…”