Compton-emissive hafnium detector of neutrons for in-core monitoring

Abstract

The work is devoted to substantiating the use of metallic hafnium as the emitter of the Compton (prompt-response) in-core detector of thermal and resonant neutrons. The main trends in the development of nuclear power engineering, which raise the interest in the use of hafnium, are considered. The known data on the behavior of both Compton and βemission self-powered neutron detectors (SPND) are generalized. The Compton SPND signal formation mechanism for the case of the irradiation by reactor-type fluxes of neutrons and gamma quanta is considered. The paper presents the calculation result of the hafnium burning-out degree for the conditions of WWER and RBMK reactors. The influence of the gamma radiation "sources", which provide the largest contribution to the electrons production in the detector is considered.

Advances in nuclear detection and readout techniques

“…In addition, with the development of device technology, the 3D structure which can be used for ultra-fast detection and the micro-structure silicon carbide detector which can be used for efficient neutron detection have also become an inevitable demand [109]. These studies are bound to facilitate ultrafast radiation testing with silicon carbide detectors at high fluence [110], in-core monitoring [111], neutron monitoring of space nuclear reactor power supply, fusion [97], free electron laser [112] and so on.…”

Mineral Insulators for Kompton Detectors Of Neutrons With a Metal Hafnium Emitter

“…Due to the instantaneous response of Compton SPNDs to a change in the neutron flux in the reactor core, it is possible to increase the burn up rate of nuclear fuel, to determine the place and the starttime of the crisis boiling of the coolant on the surface of the fuel elements [1]. An SPND with a hafnium emitter is also promising in automatic control systems, control and protection of low-power modular reactors, where increased performance requirements are imposed [1,3].…”