Design of Instrumentation and Methodologies for Determination of Free Neutron Characteristics
Abstract
Measuring neutron source‐dependent free neutron properties over a large neutron energy range, with human‐portable instrumentation, continues to push the frontier of neutron detection instrumentation design and analysis techniques. In addition, a variety of nuclear
nonproliferation and health physics applications require instrumentation that can provide free
neutron property measurement and analysis in real time. To overcome the challenges
inherent to these applications and advance the state of the current art in neutron detection
instrumentation, the first representatives of a new class of solid-state moderating-type
neutron spectrometer have been designed, modeled, fabricated, and tested. This work
introduces state-of-the-art human-portable instruments by discussing the fundamental theory
of their operation, investigating and analyzing—via Monte Carlo simulation—the principle
considerations for optimal instrument design, and empirically evaluating the capability of
each of the fabricated spectrometers to meet the application needs. Utilizing the unique three
dimensional neutron thermalization information afforded by this new class of
instrumentation, novel algorithmic methodologies are introduced to determine free neutron
characteristics of interest to the aforementioned applications in real time.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Methods -- Design, optimization, and testing of four moderating-type neutron spectrometers -- Methods for real-time source localization and identification with a moderating-type neutron spectrometer -- Enhanced kernal Hilbert space template-matching techniques for simultaneous neutron source localization and identification -- Methods for neutron energy spectrum unfolding -- Review of conclusions and future recommendations
Degree
Ph.D.