Abstract:
A neutron detector technology based on 10 B thin film conversion of neutrons and detection of neutron capture reaction products in a counter gas within a thin straw tube detector body is described. This neutron detector is based on gas-filled thin wall straw tubes, modified for the conversion of neutrons in a very thin coating, or layer, of 10 B, applied for example as a sputter-coated film of 10 B 4 C, that lines the interior, or inside of the straw tube surface; and the subsequent detection of the neutron reaction products in the counter gas. One embodiment of this invention employs a closely-packed array of 10 B 4 C-lined straw tubes employing a very thin and therefore high efficiency 10 B 4 C layer, hence removing the barrier to efficient neutron capture reaction product escape while still providing for efficient neutron capture by providing a plurality of very thin 10 B converters, each individual converter element providing efficient reaction product escape. Using such densely packed straw tube detectors of small diameter, a reasonable stack depth allows a high neutron detection efficiency to be achieved on the 1-10 Å wavelength range of thermal neutrons. The position of each interacting neutron can be accurately obtained with for example, resistive charge division readout combined with straw decoding electronics to determine the identity of the struck straw.
Abstract:
A neutron detector technology based on 10 B thin film conversion of neutrons and detection of neutron capture reaction products in a counter gas within a thin straw tube detector body is described. This neutron detector is based on gas-filled thin wall straw tubes, modified for the conversion of neutrons in a very thin coating, or layer, of 10 B, applied for example as a sputter-coated film of 10 B 4 C, that lines the interior, or inside of the straw tube surface; and the subsequent detection of the neutron reaction products in the counter gas. One embodiment of this invention employs a closely-packed array of 10 B 4 C-lined straw tubes employing a very thin and therefore high efficiency 10 B 4 C layer, hence removing the barrier to efficient neutron capture reaction product escape while still providing for efficient neutron capture by providing a plurality of very thin 10 B converters, each individual converter element providing efficient reaction product escape. Using such densely packed straw tube detectors of small diameter, a reasonable stack depth allows a high neutron detection efficiency to be achieved on the 1-10 Å wavelength range of thermal neutrons. The position of each interacting neutron can be accurately obtained with for example, resistive charge division readout combined with straw decoding electronics to determine the identity of the struck straw.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed of measuring the thickness of a thin coating on a substrate comprising dissolving the coating and substrate in a reagent and using the post-dissolution concentration of the coating in the reagent to calculate an effective thickness of the coating. The preferred method includes measuring non-conducting films on flexible and rough substrates, but other kinds of thin films can be measure by matching a reliable film-substrate dissolution technique. One preferred method includes determining the thickness of Boron Carbide films deposited on copper foil. The preferred method uses a standard technique known as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICPOES) to measure boron concentration in a liquid sample prepared by dissolving boron carbide films and the Copper substrates, preferably using a chemical etch known as ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). Measured boron concentration values can then be calculated.
Abstract:
A neutron detector technology based on 10 B thin film conversion of neutrons and detection of neutron capture reaction products in a counter gas within a thin straw tube detector body is described. This neutron scatter detector is based on gas-filled thin wall straw tubes, modified for the conversion of neutrons in a very thin coating, or layer, of 10 B, applied for example as a sputtered-coated film of 10 B 4 C, that lines the interior, or inside of the straw tube surface; and the subsequent detection of the neutron reaction products in the counter gas. One embodiment of this invention employs a closely-packed array of 10 B 4 C-vey thin layer lined straw tubes, hence removes the barrier to efficient neutron capture reaction product escape while still providing for efficient neutron capture by providing a plurality of very thin 10 B converters, each individual converter layer providing efficient reaction product escape. Using multiple stacks of such straw tube detectors, a reasonable stack depth allows a high neutron detection efficiency to be achieved on the 1-10 Å wavelength range of thermal neutrons.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is disclosed for improved magnetron sputtering utilizing a movable magnet. Preferably, the apparatus can be used to move the magnet along any two dimensional paths within the range of the moving stages. In one preferred method for sputtering a coating using a magnetron sputtering apparatus comprises the step of moving a magnet assembly in two dimensions during the sputtering process to allow increased erosion area of the target as compared to stationary magnets. In another preferred embodiment the invention includes a magnetron sputtering apparatus comprising a first motion stage allowing movement in a first direction, a second motion stage allowing movement in second direction, a magnet assembly operably attached to said first and second motion stages, and a control unit, wherein said first motion stage moves in a general first direction and second motion stage moves in a generally second direction which is generally orthogonal and wherein said control unit controls the movement of the motion stages.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a process are disclosed for straw tube formation utilized in manufacturing boron coated straw neutron detectors. A preferred embodiment of the process for creating a thin walled straw for use in a boron-coated straw neutron detector comprises providing foil having a boron coating on a surface, forming the coated foil into a cylindrical tube having a longitudinal seam and the boron coated surface on the inside of the cylindrical tube, and then ultrasonically welding closed the seam of the tube. Optionally, the cylindrical tube can then be drawn through a die to form a straw tube having a non-circular cross section, preferably a star-shaped cross section.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are disclosed, with a continuous straw forming process for spiral winding boron-coated, foil into a rounded tube or cylinder with an overlap and tight contact between the spiral edges, and a welding process utilizing a high precision fiber laser to weld spiral seem forming a straw tube.
Abstract:
An apparatus and a process are disclosed for straw tube formation utilized in. manufacturing boron coated straw neutron detectors. A preferred embodiment of the process for creating a thin walled straw for use in a boron coated straw neutron detector comprises providing foil having a boron coating on a surface, forming the coated foil into a cylindrical tube having a longitudinal seam and the boron coated surface on the inside of the cylindrical, tube, and then ultrasonically welding closed the seam of die tube. Optionally, the cylindrical tube can then be drawn through a die to form a straw tube having a non-circular cross section, preferably a star-shaped cross section.