Issue |
EPJ Web Conf.
Volume 253, 2021
ANIMMA 2021 – Advancements in Nuclear Instrumentation Measurement Methods and their Applications
|
|
---|---|---|
Article Number | 07008 | |
Number of page(s) | 8 | |
Section | Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Safeguards and Homeland Security | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202125307008 | |
Published online | 19 November 2021 |
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202125307008
Development of Prototype Simplified Neutron Scatter Camera for Nuclear Safeguards Applications
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, United States of America
Corresponding author: taylor.harvey250@ufl.edu
Published online: 19 November 2021
Neutron scatter cameras are a type of directional neutron detectors that rely on multiple neutron scatters to generate images that can reveal the direction and distribution of neutron sources. Fast neutron cameras which have recently been developed rely on multiple detector volumes and make use of neutron time-of-flight measurements. These designs, though effective in localizing the source direction, relies on a large amount of detection and electrical equipment, thus increasing size, cost, and complexity of the systems to unreasonable levels for some applications. This project seeks to develop a compact scatter camera that is less expensive than systems relying on multiple detector volumes. Crucially, two components and capabilities are needed to achieve this: fast scintillation detection materials and picosecond electrical pulse timing. Utilizing such electronics, distinguishing between scintillation light pulses generated by the same neutron within one detector volume is possible. An MCNPX-PoliMi model of such a system has been developed to guide prototype designs. A cube of EJ-230 fast plastic scintillator and six photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) were used to construct the prototype camera that localizes neutron sources based on the principle of cone back projection. Prototypes of the system in one, two, and three dimensions have shown promising initial results when coupled with a script that algorithmically identifies candidate neutron double scatter events and back projects probability cones in the direction of possible sources. Imaging resolution/quality, double scatter efficiency, and cost for the system are quantified. Paths forward for further improvement of a future system based on this camera’ operating principles are discussed.
Key words: neutron imaging / neutron detection / international safeguards
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2021
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Current usage metrics show cumulative count of Article Views (full-text article views including HTML views, PDF and ePub downloads, according to the available data) and Abstracts Views on Vision4Press platform.
Data correspond to usage on the plateform after 2015. The current usage metrics is available 48-96 hours after online publication and is updated daily on week days.
Initial download of the metrics may take a while.