Gamma-blind transformational nuclear particle sensors

Grimes, Thomas; Archambault, B.; Webster, Jeffrey A.; Sansone, Anthony A.; Taleyarkhan, R.P.

doi:10.1109/ths.2012.6459885

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The gamma radiation field was monitored as being ≈5 R/h in the vicinity of the CTMFD operating at a P neg of ≈7 bar. Experiments were conducted at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) by the author alongside R. Block of RPI [15]. Varying times of on-time for CTMFD exposure were utilized.…”

Section: Results-qualification Of Tmfds In Extreme High Gamma Radiatimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Shown (inset) are comparisons of neutron detection efficiency for TMFDs against the common state-of-art thermal and fast neutron detectors, including superheated drop detectors (SDDs). As noted therein, the perdetector volume-based efficiency of the TMFD can be 1000 times greater than that for SDDs and over 10-100 times higher than other detectors-besides offering the ability to decipher directionality, spectroscopy [13,15], and in gamma blindness even in extreme radiation fields (discussed in Section 3). Figure 6 demonstrates high efficiency fission spectrum neutron detection (≈100% of theoretical maximum) intrinsic efficiency which has been found to be ≈75 times higher (per unit volume) than for conventional systems, such as 12 kg, moderated BF 3 detectors [11,12].…”

Section: Detection Efficiency Of Tmfds Versus State-of-art Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Detection Efficiency Of Tmfds Versus State-of-art Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although not widely known, fluids, like solids, can sustain tension (i.e., the intermolecular bonds holding the molecules together can be "stretched" and weakened). Ordinary fluids, such as water, at room temperature can indeed be stretched (i.e., tensioned) to include negative (P neg ) pressures (yes-even below perfect vacuum), as scientifically confirmed only a few decades ago, leading to the novel TMFD sensor class [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Briefly, tensioned fluids are in state of metastability; their intermolecular bonds are weakened such that select stimuli types can "poke" holes into them to create transient bubbles that can rapidly (within µs) grow to states that are visible-audible to humans-depicted graphically in Figure 4.…”

Section: Introduction To Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detector (Tmfd) Smentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Monitoring Neutron Radiation in Extreme Gamma/X-Ray Radiation Fields

Taleyarkhan

2020

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The monitoring of neutron radiation in extreme high ≈1014 (#/cm2-s) neutron/photon fields and at extremely-low (≈10−3 #/cm2-s) levels poses daunting challenges—important in fields spanning nuclear energy, special nuclear material processing/security, nuclear medicine (e.g., photon-based cancer therapy), and high energy (e.g., dark-matter) research. Variably proportioned (neutron, gammas, X-ray) radiation, spanning 10−2–109 eV in energy, is omnipresent from ultra-low (Bq) activity levels (e.g., cosmic rays/ bananas), to extreme high (>1020 Bq) levels. E.g., in nuclear reactor cores; in spent nuclear fuel bearing nuclear-explosive-relevant safeguard-sensitive isotopes, such as Pu-239; and in cancer therapy accelerators. The corresponding high to low radiation dose range spans a daunting 1016:1 spread—alongside ancillary challenges such as high temperatures, pressure, and humidity. Commonly used neutron sensors get readily saturated even in modest (<1 R/h) photon fields; importantly, they are unable to decipher trace neutron radiation relative to 1014 times greater gamma radiation. This paper focuses on sensing ultra-low to high neutron radiation in extremely high photon (gamma-X ray) backgrounds. It summarizes the state-of-art compared to the novel tensioned metastable fluid detector (TMFD) sensor technology, which offers physics-based 100% gamma-blind, high (60–95%) intrinsic efficiency for neutron-alpha-fission detection, even under extreme (≈103 R/h) gamma radiation.

show abstract

Section: Results-qualification Of Tmfds In Extreme High Gamma Radiatimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Detection Efficiency Of Tmfds Versus State-of-art Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Detection Efficiency Of Tmfds Versus State-of-art Sensorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction To Tensioned Metastable Fluid Detector (Tmfd) Smentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Monitoring Neutron Radiation in Extreme Gamma/X-Ray Radiation Fields

Taleyarkhan

2020

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Development of the directional abilities of the ATMFD system represents a significant advancement to the current state-of-the-art directional neutron detectors. A single D-ATMFD system is capable of the directional detection of neutrons in a single portable detector with an unlimited field of view ( ) 4π [12] and a significant reduction in size while remaining completely blind to non-neutron background [13]. This is accomplished with the potential for a significant cost reduction over comparable systems (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancements in the development of a directional-position sensing fast neutron detector using acoustically tensioned metastable fluids

Archambault¹,

Webster

Grimes

et al. 2015

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Advancements in the development of a directional-position sensing fast neutron detector using Acoustically tensioned metastable Fluids, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A, http://dx.AbstractAdvancements in the development of a direction and position sensing fast neutron detector which utilizes the directional acoustic tensioned metastable fluid detector (D-ATMFD) are described. The resulting D-ATMFD sensor is capable of determining the direction of neutron radiation with a single compact detector versus use of arrays of detectors in conventional directional systems. Directional neutron detection and source positioning offer enhanced detection speeds in comparison to traditional proximity searching;including enabling determination of the neutron source shape, size, and strength in near real time. This paper discusses advancements that provide the accuracy and precision of ascertaining directionality and source localization information utilizing enhanced signal processing-cum-signal analysis, refined computational algorithms, and on-demand enlargement capability of the detector sensitive volume. These advancements were accomplished utilizing experimentation and theoretical modeling. Benchmarking and qualifications studies were successfully conducted with random and fission based special nuclear material (SNM) neutron sources ( 239 Pu-Be and 252 Cf). These results of assessments have indicated that the D-ATMFD compares well in technical performance with banks of competing directional fast neutron detector technologies under development worldwide, but it does so with: a single detector unit; an unlimited field of view; and at a significant reduction in both cost and size while remaining completely blind to common background (e.g., beta-gamma) radiation. Rapid and direct SNM neutron source imaging with two D-ATMFD sensors was experimentally demonstrated, and furthermore, validated via multidimensional nuclear particle transport simulations utilizing MCNP-PoliMi. Characterization of a scaled D-ATMFD based radiation portal monitor (RPM) as a cost-effective and efficient 3 He sensor replacement was performed utilizing MCNP-PoliMi simulations, the results of which are discussed and presented.

show abstract

Fast neutron spectroscopy with tensioned metastable fluid detectors

Grimes

Taleyarkhan

2016

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A:

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper describes research into development of a rapid-turnaround, neutron-spectroscopy capable (gamma-beta blind), high intrinsic efficiency sensor system utilizing the tensioned metastable fluid detector (TMFD) architecture. The inability of prevailing theoretical models (developed successfully for the classical bubble chamber) to adequately predict detection thresholds for tensioned metastable fluid conditions is described. Techniques are presented to overcome these inherent shortcomings, leading thereafter, to allow successful neutron spectroscopy using TMFDsvia the newly developed Single Atom Spectroscopy (SAS) approach. SAS also allows for a unique means for rapidly determining neutron energy thresholds with TMFDs. This is accomplished by simplifying the problem of determining Cavitation Detection Events (CDEs) arising from neutron interactions with one in which several recoiling atom species contribute to CDEs, to one in which only one dominant recoil atom need be considered. The chosen fluid is Heptane (C 7 H 16) for which only recoiling C atoms contribute to CDEs. Using the SAS approach, the threshold curve for Heptane was derived using isotope neutron source data, and then validated against experiments with mono-energetic (2.45/14 MeV) neutrons from D-D and D-T accelerators. Thereafter the threshold curves were used to produce the response matrix for various geometries. The response matrices were in turn combined with experimental data to recover the continuous spectra of fission (Cf-252) and (,n) Pu-Be isotopic neutron sources via an unfolding algorithm. A generalized algorithm is also presented for performing neutron spectroscopy using any other TMFD fluid that meets the SAS approach assumptions.

show abstract

Gamma-blind transformational nuclear particle sensors

Cited by 7 publications

References 2 publications

Monitoring Neutron Radiation in Extreme Gamma/X-Ray Radiation Fields

Monitoring Neutron Radiation in Extreme Gamma/X-Ray Radiation Fields

Advancements in the development of a directional-position sensing fast neutron detector using acoustically tensioned metastable fluids

Fast neutron spectroscopy with tensioned metastable fluid detectors

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About