SBIR Phase I: Efficient, High-Resolution Fast-Neutron Detector

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将开发一种能够比以前的探测器具有更高分辨率和效率的快中子探测器。因为快中子具有很强的穿透性，所以它们有可能成像和询问大型的高密度物体。不幸的是，这种能力也需要厚的高效闪烁体材料，导致低分辨率探测。这项拟议的研究将通过使用带有液体闪烁体的光通道微毛细管来解决这个问题，这些液体闪烁体装载了阻止中子的原子。此外，将使用能够创建短时间间隔图像的最先进的图像增强型CCD相机，其中可以识别和滤除噪声。探测器系统的效率和分辨率将通过一种先进的成像射线照相模型进行分析，该模型使用系统论方法处理探测器组件。使用快中子进行射线照相和无损评估，开辟了一系列可成像的材料组合和厚度的全新领域。这项建议旨在通过开发一种能够在不牺牲探测器效率的情况下进行高分辨率成像的快中子探测器，来极大地改进对厚重、高密度物体的无损评估。该探测器将与另一项计划下开发的便携式高亮度快中子源一起使用，以形成快中子辐射照相系统。建议的探测器和源系统将服务于商用和军用飞机、公用事业和石化组织的无损检测。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a fast-neutron detector capable of higher resolution and efficiency than previous detectors. Because fast neutrons are highly penetrating, they have the possibility of imaging and interrogating large, high-density objects. Unfortunately, this ability also requires a thick highly-efficient scintillator material resulting in low resolution detection. The proposed research will address this problem by using light-channeling micro-capillaries with liquid scintillants that are loaded with neutron-stopping atoms. In addition, a state of the art image-intensified CCD camera capable of creating short time-interval images will be used, in which noise can be identified and filtered out. The efficiency and resolution of the detector system will be analyzed by an advanced radiographic model of imaging which treats the detector components using a systems theory approach. The use of fast neutrons for radiography and non-destructive evaluation opens a whole new range of material combinations and thicknesses that can be imaged. This proposal aims to greatly improve nondestructive evaluation of thick, high-density objects by developing a fast neutron detector capable of high resolution imaging without sacrificing detector efficiency. The detector will be used with a portable high-brightness fast neutron source being developed under another program to form a fast-neutron radiographic system. The proposed system of detector and source will serve the nondestructive testing interests of commercial and military aircraft, public utilities and petrochemical organizations.