Detection of thermal neutrons through the use of internal wavelength shifting optical fibers

摘要

An apparatus for detection of thermal neutrons includes a volume of gas which includes 3He. A wavelength shifting optical (WSO) fiber is disposed to receive ultra-violet (UV) photons generated by reactions between neutrons and 3He. UV photons are absorbed within the WSO fiber to produce longer wavelength fluorescence generated photons that propagate within the WSO fiber. A photodetector is disposed to receive fluorescence generated photons from at least one end of the optical fiber and provide an output signal corresponding to neutron detection.