High-efficiency large-area neutron scintillation detectors for radiation portal monitors

大面积中子探测器被用作辐射入口监测仪的一个组成部分，目的是在国际边界和核处理厂门口探测隐藏的裂变物质。进一步的应用是确保废金属在熔化前不受放射性污染。现有的中子探测器使用氦-3比例管。由于国际短缺，氦-3不再可用，随后禁止进一步使用这种应用。提出的探测器旨在作为氦-3比例管的低成本替代品。他们使用为其他工业用途而制造的天然硼化合物。采用的一般方法是只使用容易和廉价的材料，目的是使设计不受未来市场短缺或依赖特定供应商的影响。原型探测器已经存在，这个项目的目的是探索它们在现实恶劣环境中的操作特性。这些设计将被扩大，并花费相当大的精力来开发和改进探测器组件的制造。制造前的原型将由国际认可的验证实验室进行评估和校准。预计在项目结束时，该设计的可批量生产版本将可供合作伙伴制造。

Large area neutron detectors are used as a component of radiation portal monitors, intended to detect concealed fissionable material at international borders and at the gates of nuclear processing plants. A further application is in the ensuring that scrap metal is free from radioactive contamination before melting. Existing neutron detectors utilize helium-3 proportional tubes. Helium-3 is no longer available due to an international shortage followed by a ban on further usage for this application. The proposed detectors are intended as a low cost replacement for helium-3 proportional tubes. They use natural boron compounds in forms manufactured for other industrial uses. A general approach of using only materials easily and cheaply available has been taken with the intention that the design is immune from future market shortages or reliance on specific suppliers. Prototype detectors exist and it is the aim of this project to explore their operational characteristics in realistic harsh environments. The designs will be enlarged and considerable effort spent on developing and improving the fabrication of detector components. Pre-manufacturing prototypes will be assessed and calibrated by internationally approved validation laboratories. It is intended that at the end of the project, a mass produceable version of the design will be available for the partner to manufacture.