The localization of a small neutron source in a homogeneous medium

Sergei Dubinski, Oren Presler, Zeev B. Alfassi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The possibility of localization of an unknown neutron source in various bulky homogeneous media (box) was studied. For the planar case two 3He detectors on the opposite faces of the box were used. A constant polypropylene shield around the box and the detectors was used to eliminate the varying contribution from the environment, to increase count rates of the detectors and to protect the experimentalist. It is shown that the location of a single small neutron emitting source in a large box can be found to a better than 7% by using two neutron detectors positioned on parallel faces of the box, coplanar with the source. The localization requires measurement of the count rate of both the unknown source and an extra source positioned on one of the faces of the box. The localization is based on the finding that the ratio of the count rates of the two detectors is an exponential function of the distance of the source from one of the detectors. In the case that the plane of the unknown source is not known, four detectors are required and an iteration method is used for localization of the source plane.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNew Techniques for the Detection of Nuclear and Radioactive Agents
PublisherSpringer Verlag
Pages75-95
Number of pages21
ISBN (Print)9781402095986
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2009

Publication series

NameNATO Science for Peace and Security Series B: Physics and Biophysics
ISSN (Print)1874-6500

Keywords

  • Homogeneous medium
  • Localization
  • Multi-detector measurement
  • Neutron source

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biophysics
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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