Patent ID: 8229054

Claim:
A method for absorbing neutrons, comprising: positioning a plurality of sample materials in a neutron absorber comprising: disposing each sample material of the plurality of sample materials in one jacket of a plurality of jackets; disposing each jacket in one discrete, cylindrical bore of a plurality of discrete, cylindrical bores formed in a cylindrical heat sink of the neutron absorber and extending through an entirety of the neutron absorber along a longitudinal axis of the neutron absorber; and positioning each jacket within each discrete bore to form an annulus extending along an entire length of the sample material between the jacket and a surface of the heat sink forming the discrete bore; positioning the neutron absorber in a neutron field; exposing the neutron absorber to the neutron field; absorbing at least some of the neutrons from the neutron field with the neutron absorber; flowing a coolant through a plurality of discrete coolant channels formed in the cylindrical heat sink separate from the plurality of discrete bores and extending through an entirety of the neutron absorber along the longitudinal axis of the neutron absorber; and removing heat from the neutron absorber with the coolant.