An instrument that will directly image the fast fission neutrons from a special nuclear material source has been described. This instrument can improve the signal to background compared to non imaging neutron detection techniques by a factor given by ratio of the angular resolution window to 4.pi.. In addition to being a neutron imager, this instrument will also be an excellent neutron spectrometer, and will be able to differentiate between different types of neutron sources (e.g. fission, alpha-n, cosmic ray, and D-D or D-T fusion). Moreover, the instrument is able to pinpoint the source location.
Mascarenhas; Nicholas (Livermore, CA), Marleau; Peter (Dublin, CA), Brennan; James S. (Rodeo, CA), Krenz; Kevin D. (Livermore, CA)
Sandia Corporation (Livermore, CA)
12/237,251
September 24, 2008
250/390.11;
G01T 3/06 (20060101);
250/390.11
STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
The United States Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms of contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000 awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy to Sandia Corporation.