Systems, methods, and apparatus for anode and cathode electrical separation in detectors

1. A method for providing a neutron detector tube, the method comprising:

applying a conductive layer to at least a portion of an inner surface of a non-conductive cathode tube associated with a neutron detector, wherein the at least a portion of the inner surface extends to a first end of the tube and stops short of a second end;

applying a neutron sensitive cathode coating to at least a portion of the conductive layer;

sealing a first portion of the neutron detector tube with a cathode cap; and

sealing a second portion of the neutron detection tube with a non-conductive anode cap, wherein sealing the second portion of the neutron detector tube comprises sealing a second portion interface between the non-conductive anode cap and a non-conductive portion of the cathode tube with a glass seal.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein sealing the first portion of the neutron detector tube comprises sealing a first portion interface between the cathode cap and the conductive layer with a conductive seal.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein sealing the first portion of the neutron detector tube comprises sealing a first portion interface between the cathode cap and a non-conductive portion of the cathode tube with a glass seal, wherein at least a portion of the cathode cap in contact with the first portion interface comprises glass, and at least a portion of the cathode cap is in electrical communication with the conductive layer.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the conductive layer comprises applying a neutron sensitive coating.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising securing a first end of an anode wire to an anode wire anchor, wherein the anode wire anchor is securely affixed to the cathode cap, and wherein the cathode cap comprises a non-conductive connection to the anode wire anchor or anode wire.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the conductive layer comprises applying an aluminum metallization layer to at least a portion of the inner surface of the non-conductive cathode tube.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive anode cap comprises at least one of glass or ceramic.

8. A system comprising:

a power supply;

a pulse detector; and

at least one neutron detector tube, each of said at least one neutron detector tube comprising:

a cathode tube comprising:

a non-conductive body portion with an inner surface;

a conductive layer on at least a portion of the inner surface, wherein the at least a portion of the inner surface extends to a first end of the tube and stops short of a second end; and

a neutron sensitive cathode coating in electrical communication with the conductive layer;

a cathode cap to seal a first portion of the neutron detector tube; and

a non-conductive anode cap in communication with the non-conductive body portion of the cathode tube to seal a second portion of the neutron detector tube, wherein a glass seal seals second portion interface between the non-conductive anode cap and the non-conductive body portion of the cathode tube.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein a conductive seal seals a first portion interface between the cathode cap and the conductive layer, and at least a portion of the cathode cap is in electrical communication with the conductive layer.

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein a glass seal seals a first portion interface between the cathode cap and a non-conductive portion of the cathode tube, wherein at least a portion of the cathode cap in contact with the first portion interface comprises glass.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the cathode coating comprises a boron material.

12. The system of claim 8 , further comprising an anode wire secured to an anode wire anchor, wherein the anode wire anchor is securely affixed to the cathode cap, wherein the cathode cap comprises a non-conductive connection to the anode wire anchor or anode wire.

13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the conductive layer comprises one or more of an aluminum metallization layer or a neutron sensitive material.

14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the wherein the cathode tube comprises glass or plastic.

15. The system of claim 8 , wherein the non-conductive anode cap comprises at least one of glass or ceramic.

16. A neutron detector tube comprising:

a cathode tube comprising:

a non-conductive body portion with an inner surface;

a conductive layer on at least a portion of the inner surface, wherein the at least a portion of the inner surface extends to a first end of the tube and stops short of a second end; and

a neutron sensitive cathode coating in electrical communication with the conductive layer;

a cathode cap to seal a first portion of the neutron detector tube; and

a non-conductive anode cap in communication with the non-conductive body portion of the cathode tube to seal a second portion of the neutron detector tube, wherein a glass seal seals a second portion interface between the non-conductive anode cap and the non-conductive portion of the cathode tube.

17. The neutron detector tube of claim 16 , wherein a conductive seal seals a first portion interface between the cathode cap and the conductive layer, and at least a portion of the cathode cap is in electrical communication with the conductive layer.

18. The neutron detector of claim 16 , wherein a glass seal seals a first portion interface between the cathode cap and a non-conductive portion of the cathode tube, wherein at least a portion of the cathode cap in contact with the first portion interface comprises glass.

19. The neutron detector of claim 16 , further comprising an anode wire secured to an anode wire anchor, wherein the anode wire anchor is securely affixed to the cathode cap, and wherein the cathode cap comprises a non-conductive connection to the anode wire anchor or anode wire.

20. The neutron detector tube of claim 16 , wherein the non-conductive anode cap comprises at least one of glass or ceramic.