Patent ID: 6714616
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G01T

Abstract:
A neutron spectrometer monitor, comprising:a plurality of neutron detectors; said monitor is placed in proximity to a suspected concentration of neutron radiation; each of said plurality of neutron detectors further comprising a detector means stacked on a tantalum proton-absorbing layer, each of said proton-absorbing layers being stacked on a hydrogenous substrate; said hydrogenous substrate being composed of polyethylene and containing hydrogen atoms, said hydrogen atoms interacting with said suspected concentration of neutron radiation, said hydrogenous substrate converting said neutron radiation to a plurality of recoil protons that travel in straight lines through said proton-absorbing layer and said detector means, each of said detector means detecting said plurality of recoil protons and further comprising a depleted n/p diode; said hydrogenous substrate deflecting a plurality of scattered neutrons away from said hydrogenous substrate; each of said proton-absorbing layers having a different thickness, d, to absorb a plurality of neutron energies from 1 to 250 MeV; said plurality of neutron detectors being housed in a flat rectangular chamber composed of tantalum, said chamber having a polyethylene floor, a plurality of compartments for each of said detector means and a lid; each of said detector means, being coupled to a means for data processing, sends a separate count of recoil protons for each of said different thicknesses, d, to said data processing means; said data processing means providing said separate count of recoil protons to a means for proton distribution; and said means for proton distribution determines a proton distribution pattern to generate a neutron spectrum pattern that constructs an original neutron spectrum from said suspected concentration of neutron radiation.