Portable gamma and thermal neutron detector using 6LiI(Eu) crystals

Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay; Harold R McHugh

doi:10.1117/12.506870

20 January 2004 Portable gamma and thermal neutron detector using ⁶LiI(Eu) crystals

Proceedings Volume 5198, Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506870
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Simultaneous detection of gamma rays and neutrons emanating from an unknown source has been of special significance and importance to consequence management and first responders since the earliest days of the program. Bechtel Nevada scientists have worked with ⁶LiI(Eu) crystals and ⁶Li glass to develop field-operable dual sensors that detect gamma rays and neutrons simultaneously. The prototype ⁶LiI(Eu) counter, which has been built and tested, is designed to collect data for periods of one second to more than eight hours. The collection time is controlled by thumbwheel switches. A fourpole, high pass filter at 90 KHz reduces microphonic noise from shock or vibration. ⁶LiI(Eu) crystals generate completely separable gamma-ray and thermal neutron responses. The ⁶LiI(Eu) rate meter consists of a single crystal 3.8 x 3.8 cm (1.5 x 1.5 in) with a 2.54-cm-(1-in-) thick, annular, high-density, polyethylene ring around the cylinder. Special features are (1) thermal and epithermal neutron detection (0.025eV to 250keV) and (2) typical gamma resolution of 8% at 661.6 keV. Monte Carlo N-Particle calculations for characteristics of gamma spectral behavior, neutron attenuation length, relative neutron and gamma detection efficiency are reported.

Citation Download Citation

Sanjoy Mukhopadhyay and Harold R McHugh "Portable gamma and thermal neutron detector using ⁶LiI(Eu) crystals", Proc. SPIE 5198, Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Detector Physics V, (20 January 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506870

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