Neutron multiplicity counter

R. L. Macklin; F. M. Glass; J. Halperin; R. T. Roseberry; H. W. Schmitt; R. W. Stoughton; M. Tobias

doi:10.1016/0029-554X(72)90537-X

Neutron multiplicity counter

R. L. Macklin, F. M. Glass, J. Halperin, R. T. Roseberry, H. W. Schmitt, R. W. Stoughton, M. Tobias

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Abstract

A neutron multiplicity counter assembly has been constructed to enable a search for superheavy elements in natural samples and in accelerator targets. The detector consists of twenty ³He counters placed in a paraffin moderator. These counters surround a central sample cavity with a capacity of about 20 1, capable of accomodating samples up to 100 kg in weight, depending on the density. A particular feature of this counter is its relative insensitivity to gamma rays. The efficiency for detecting a single neutron is ≈ 30%. An estimate of v, the number of neutrons emitted per fission in a sample, may be obtained from the observed multiplicity distribution P(n), where n is the number of neutron counts in an event. More accurate values of v may be obtained for small, isolated samples of spontaneously fissioning isotopes, where the neutron counters may be gated by a fission fragment detector. The design of the counter and an analysis of its properties are presented.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	181-187
Number of pages	7
Journal	Nuclear Instruments and Methods
Volume	102
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0029-554X(72)90537-X
State	Published - Jul 1 1972

Funding

* Research sponsored by the U S. Atomic Energy Commission under contract with the Union Carbide Corporation.

Funders	Funder number
Union Carbide Corporation
United States Atomic Energy Commission

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10.1016/0029-554X(72)90537-X

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title = "Neutron multiplicity counter",

abstract = "A neutron multiplicity counter assembly has been constructed to enable a search for superheavy elements in natural samples and in accelerator targets. The detector consists of twenty 3He counters placed in a paraffin moderator. These counters surround a central sample cavity with a capacity of about 20 1, capable of accomodating samples up to 100 kg in weight, depending on the density. A particular feature of this counter is its relative insensitivity to gamma rays. The efficiency for detecting a single neutron is ≈ 30%. An estimate of v, the number of neutrons emitted per fission in a sample, may be obtained from the observed multiplicity distribution P(n), where n is the number of neutron counts in an event. More accurate values of v may be obtained for small, isolated samples of spontaneously fissioning isotopes, where the neutron counters may be gated by a fission fragment detector. The design of the counter and an analysis of its properties are presented.",

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T1 - Neutron multiplicity counter

AU - Macklin, R. L.

AU - Glass, F. M.

AU - Halperin, J.

AU - Roseberry, R. T.

AU - Schmitt, H. W.

AU - Stoughton, R. W.

AU - Tobias, M.

PY - 1972/7/1

Y1 - 1972/7/1

N2 - A neutron multiplicity counter assembly has been constructed to enable a search for superheavy elements in natural samples and in accelerator targets. The detector consists of twenty 3He counters placed in a paraffin moderator. These counters surround a central sample cavity with a capacity of about 20 1, capable of accomodating samples up to 100 kg in weight, depending on the density. A particular feature of this counter is its relative insensitivity to gamma rays. The efficiency for detecting a single neutron is ≈ 30%. An estimate of v, the number of neutrons emitted per fission in a sample, may be obtained from the observed multiplicity distribution P(n), where n is the number of neutron counts in an event. More accurate values of v may be obtained for small, isolated samples of spontaneously fissioning isotopes, where the neutron counters may be gated by a fission fragment detector. The design of the counter and an analysis of its properties are presented.

AB - A neutron multiplicity counter assembly has been constructed to enable a search for superheavy elements in natural samples and in accelerator targets. The detector consists of twenty 3He counters placed in a paraffin moderator. These counters surround a central sample cavity with a capacity of about 20 1, capable of accomodating samples up to 100 kg in weight, depending on the density. A particular feature of this counter is its relative insensitivity to gamma rays. The efficiency for detecting a single neutron is ≈ 30%. An estimate of v, the number of neutrons emitted per fission in a sample, may be obtained from the observed multiplicity distribution P(n), where n is the number of neutron counts in an event. More accurate values of v may be obtained for small, isolated samples of spontaneously fissioning isotopes, where the neutron counters may be gated by a fission fragment detector. The design of the counter and an analysis of its properties are presented.

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Neutron multiplicity counter

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