Neutron Detector and Method for Detecting Neutrons

摘要

A 10B neutron detector (10) and an associated method of detecting neutrons are disclosed. The detector (10) includes an exterior shell (20) bounding and sealing an interior volume (30), a neutron-sensitive boron coating (50) located on at least part of the exterior shell (20) at the interior volume (30). One of the boron coating (50) and the exterior shell (20) serves as a cathode, and a central structure (38) located within the interior volume (30) and serves as an anode. The detector (10) includes gas within the interior volume (30) that conducts an electrical energy pulse between the cathode and the anode in response to a neutron impinging upon the neutron-sensitive boron coating (50). The gas includes a quantity of 3He gas sensitive to neutron impingement and generating an electrical energy pulse for reception by the anode in response to a neutron impinging upon the 3He gas. The method includes detecting at least one neutron via impingement of the neutron upon the 3He gas.