A self-powered neutron detector (SPND) is a device that, coupled with a current
meter, provides a readout proportional to neutron population. This thesis discusses the
design parameters of an array of such devices, their characteristics, and the use of these
devices as a self-powered neutron spectrometer (SPNS) to provide information about the
energy distribution in a neutron radiation field.
Neutron absorption in an appropriate material produces subsequent beta
emissions. In a SPND, some of these beta particles will cross a non-conducting region
and stop in a collector material. A net exchange of charge between these regions can be
read as a current flowing between the emission region and the collector region.
One potential SPNS design was modeled using a Monte Carlo simulation of the
device's interaction with a radiation field. The Monte Carlo program used predicts the
beta flux which is proportional to the current that would be produced by an actual device.
Various beta emitting materials were considered for this device, and a sensitivity study of
each was included.
The design considered is comprised of a concentric set of these cylindrical SPND
detector elements which, in themselves, are currently available technology. / Graduation date: 1999
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/33316 |
| Date | 12 August 1998 |
| Creators | Kropp, Edward K. |
| Contributors | Binney, Stephen E. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0608 seconds