nøytrondetektorer

A neutron detector is an instrument used to measure the presence or intensity of neutrons. Neutrons are subatomic particles with no electric charge, making them difficult to detect directly. Neutron detectors typically work by utilizing the secondary particles produced when neutrons interact with a detector material. These secondary particles, often charged, can then be sensed by the detector.

Common types of neutron detectors include gas-filled detectors, scintillators, and semiconductor detectors. Gas-filled detectors often contain a gas like helium-3 or boron trifluoride. When a neutron is captured by a helium-3 nucleus, it splits into a proton and a tritium nucleus, both of which are charged and can ionize the gas, creating a detectable electrical signal. Scintillation detectors use materials that emit light when struck by charged particles produced by neutron interactions. This light is then detected by a photomultiplier tube or other light sensor. Semiconductor detectors utilize the interaction of neutrons with a semiconductor material, which generates electron-hole pairs that can be collected as an electrical current.

Neutron detectors are employed in a variety of fields, including nuclear physics research, nuclear reactor monitoring, security applications for detecting illicit nuclear materials, and in medical imaging and therapy. The specific design and material of a neutron detector are chosen based on the energy range of the neutrons to be detected and the required sensitivity and efficiency.