ARI-MA Improved Detection of Fast Neutrons and Special Nuclear Material (SNM)

1038691 Vahsen该奖项将支持快中子探测新方法的研究，该方法利用PI从实验粒子物理学中获得经验的两种新探测器技术;气体电子倍增器和硅像素电子器件。这些技术应该导致在充气探测器的读出中大大改进的时间和位置分辨率，使得中子和带电粒子的高速率（高达~1 MHz/cm 2）（这可能导致假中子信号）可以以比传统方法更高的精度和更低的能量阈值来测量。预计这将转化为定位和识别SNM的能力的提高，以及显着降低假SNM警报率。 该项目为研究生和博士后提供了很好的机会，以获得探测器开发和表征方面的培训。博士后指导计划是组织良好和适当的。如果技术上可行，按比例放大的系统将对DNDO使命非常有吸引力。

1038691VahsenThis award will support the investigation of a new approach to fast neutron detection that utilizes two new detector technologies that the PIs have experience with from experimental particle physics; Gas Electron Multipliers and Silicon Pixel Electronics. These technologies should result in much improved time and position resolution in the readout of gas-filled detectors, so that high rates (up to ~1 MHz/cm2) of both neutrons and charged particles (which may result in false neutron signals) can be measured with much greater precision, and with a lower energy threshold, than with traditional approaches. This is expected to translate into improved ability to locate and identify SNM, as well as significantly reduced rate of false SNM alarms. The project provides good opportunity for the graduate students and postdoc to obtain training in detector development and characterization. The Postdoc Mentoring Plan is well-organized and appropriate. A scaled up system, if technically feasible, would be very attractive to the DNDO mission.