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

[386999 . vahsen]该奖项将支持快中子探测新方法的研究，该方法利用pi在实验粒子物理学中有经验的两种新的探测器技术；气体电子倍增器和硅像素电子。这些技术将大大提高充满气体的探测器读出时的时间和位置分辨率，因此，与传统方法相比，高速率（高达~1 MHz/cm2）的中子和带电粒子（可能导致错误的中子信号）可以以更高的精度和更低的能量阈值进行测量。这有望提高定位和识别SNM的能力，并显著降低SNM误报率。该项目为研究生和博士后在探测器开发和表征方面提供了良好的培训机会。博士后指导计划是组织良好和适当的。如果技术上可行，一个扩大规模的系统将对DNDO任务非常有吸引力。

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.