Neutron detection by neutron capture-initiated relaxation of a ferroelectrically, ferromagnetically, and/or chemically metastable material
View Patent ↗A system for detecting radiation using an array of cells containing a metastable material together with sensing apparatus and display apparatus.
1. A method of changing a state of polarization in a metastable material comprising:
providing a metastable material in a cell in an array in a first state of polarization;
polarizing the metastable material to a second state of polarization;
subjecting the metastable material in the second state of polarization to an opposite polarization without causing the metastable material to return to the first state of polarization; and
subjecting the metastable material to a source of radiation causing at least some of the metastable material in the cell to return to the first state of polarization.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting the first state of polarization of some of the metastable material in the cell from the second state of polarization.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
displaying the first state of polarization of some of the metastable material in the cell.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:
sounding an alarm after subjecting the metastable material to the source of radiation that the some of the metastable material in the cell has the first state of polarization.
5. A method of changing a state of polarization in a metastable material comprising:
providing a metastable material in a cell in an array in a first state of polarization;
detecting the first state of polarization of the metastable material in the cell;
displaying the first state of polarization of the metastable material;
polarizing the metastable material to a second state of polarization;
subjecting the metastable material in the second state of polarization to an opposite polarization without causing the metastable material to return to the first state of polarization;
detecting the second state of polarization of the metastable material;
displaying the second state of polarization of the metastable material; and
subjecting the metastable material to a source of radiation to cause at least some of the metastable material in the cell to return to the first state of polarization.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
detecting the first state of polarization of some of the metastable material in the cell from the second state of polarization.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
displaying the first state of polarization of the at least some of the metastable material in the cell caused by the source of radiation.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
sending a signal that the at least some of the metastable material in the cell has the first state of polarization caused by the source of radiation.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the metastable material comprises some nano-particle material.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the source of radiation includes muons, beta particles, and gamma radiation.
11. The method of claim 5 , wherein the metastable material includes at least one of 10 B and 6 Li.
12. The method of claim 5 , wherein the metastable material includes at least one of 10 B and 6 Li in one of an electrical metastable material and a magnetically metastable material.