Neutron detection
View Patent ↗In exemplary embodiments, an apparatus, includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a first polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the first channel having a first side having a center, and a second polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the second channel having a second side contacting the first side, the second side having a center, wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are non-collinear in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first side, and wherein the first and second channels do not have square cross sections perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the channels.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first electrode;
a second electrode;
a first polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the first channel having a first side having a center; and
a second polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the second channel having a second side, a portion of the second side facing the first side and contacting the first side, the second side having a center,
wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are non-collinear in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first side, and
wherein the first and second channels do not have square cross sections perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the channels.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second channels have only three sides each.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second channels have rectangular cross sections perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the channels.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the rectangular cross sections have an aspect ratio greater than 1.5:1.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the rectangular cross sections have an aspect ratio of equal to or greater than approximately 2:1.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the channels comprise a composition capable of interacting with neutrons to form secondary electrons in the channels.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the composition comprises boron-10 isotope, natural gadolinium, both boron-10 isotope and natural gadolinium, or lithium-6 isotope.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the channels comprise a composition comprising an electron emissive portion.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are spaced in a direction parallel to the first side by greater than or equal to approximately 10% of a distance of the first side.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are spaced in a direction parallel to the first side by greater than or equal to approximately 20% of a distance of the first side.
11. A method, comprising:
contacting an apparatus with particles, the apparatus comprising
a first electrode,
a second electrode,
a first polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the first channel having a first side having a center, and
a second polygonal channel extending between the electrodes, the second channel having a second side, a portion of the second side facing the first side and contacting the first side, the second side having a center, wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are non-collinear in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the first side,
wherein the first and second channels do not have square cross sections perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the channels; and
detecting electrons formed by contacting the apparatus with the particles.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the particles comprise neutrons.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second channels have only three sides each.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first and second channels have rectangular cross sections perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the channels.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the rectangular cross sections have an aspect ratio greater than 1.5:1.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the rectangular cross sections have an aspect ratio of equal to or greater than approximately 2:1.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the composition comprises boron-10 isotope, natural gadolinium, both boron-10 isotope and natural gadolinium, or lithium-6.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the channels comprise a composition comprising an electron emissive portion.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are spaced in a direction parallel to the first side by greater than or equal to approximately 10% of a distance of the first side.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the center of the first side and the center of the second side are spaced in a direction parallel to the first side by greater than or equal to approximately 20% of a distance of the first side.