B10 neutron detector in pie shaped sectors
View Patent ↗A neutron detector array that includes a hollow member circumscribing an axis and bounding a volume. A divider extends parallel to the axis within the hollow member to divide the volume into a plurality of volume portions. A plurality of anodes extend parallel to the axis; at least one anode within each volume portion. A plurality of cathodes wherein the hollow member has an interior surface and the divider has surfaces that are coated with neutron sensitive material. Also, a neutron detector that includes a hollow cathode bounding a volume portion with at least a partial wedge cross-section, and an anode extending thought the volume portion. An electric field exists during operation of the neutron detector within the volume portion, the electric field varying across the cross-section, and the anode being located at an area of maximum field strength within the field. The detector may be used in the array.
1. A neutron detector array including:
a hollow member extending along and circumscribing an axis, the hollow member bounding a volume;
a divider extending parallel to the axis within the hollow member to divide the volume into a plurality of volume portions;
a plurality of anodes extending parallel to the axis, at least one anode being located within each volume portion; and
a plurality of cathodes wherein the hollow member having an interior surface and the divider having surfaces that are coated with neutron sensitive material.
2. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the hollow member has a cylindrical shape.
3. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the divider is centered on the axis.
4. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of volume portions are all the same size and shape.
5. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein at least one volume portion has at least a portion that is wedge-shaped in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis.
6. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of volume portions includes at least four volume portions.
7. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of volume portions includes at least eight volume portions.
8. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the hollow member and the divider are elongate along the axis.
9. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the divider includes a plurality of fin spokes, each fin spoke extending to separate adjacent volume portions.
10. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the fin spokes of the divider are coated with the neutron sensitive material.
11. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the neutron sensitive material is B-10.
12. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein at least two anodes are located within each volume portion.
13. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the volume portions each have a pie piece shape in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis.
14. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein volume portions each have a general pie piece shape in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis, with a truncation at a taping portion of the pie piece.
15. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein volume portions each have a general pie piece shape in cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis, with a rounded corner at a widest portion of the pie piece.
16. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein each volume portion includes at least a partial wedge cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis, an electric field exists within each volume portion during operation of the neutron detector array, the electric field varying across the cross-section of the volume portion, and the anode being located at an region of higher field strength within the field.
17. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 16 , wherein for each volume portion the hollow member, the divider and the anode are configured such that the region of higher field strength of the field extends over a majority portion of the cross-section taken perpendicular to the axis.
18. A neutron detector array as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cathodes have microscopic surface enhancements for receiving the neutron sensitive material.
19. A neutron detector including: a hollow cathode bounding a volume portion with at least a partial wedge cross-section; and an anode extending through the volume portion; wherein an electric field exists during operation of the neutron detector within the volume portion, the electric field varying across the cross-section, and the anode being located at an area of maximum strength within the electric field.
20. A neutron detector as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the detector is part of a neutron detector array, the detector array includes:
a hollow member extending along and circumscribing an axis, the hollow member bounding a volume, the volume portion of the neutron detector being part of the volume;
a divider extending parallel to the axis within the hollow member to divide the volume into a plurality of volume portions; and
a plurality of anodes extending parallel to axis, at least one anode being located within each volume portion;
the hollow member having an interior surface and the divider having surfaces that are coated with neutron sensitive material to provide a plurality of hollow cathodes, with each volume portion having a separate one of the cathodes.
21. A neutron detector as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the cathode and the anode are configured such that the region of higher field strength of the field extends over a majority portion of the at least a partial wedge cross-section.