A local area cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A moderator material and neutron shield are positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers lateral sides and an entirety of a top of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a bottom side of the neutron detector. A thermal neutron shield is positioned below the neutron detector and in a path of neutron travel between the measurement surface and the neutron detector to substantially block environmental thermal neutrons from reaching the neutron detector, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio and signal contrast of the local area cosmogenic neutron sensor.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a neutron converter from boron carbide or a boron film on a neutron transparent metal substrate. The neutron transparent metal substrate is polished in a first step by fine grinding and coated in a further step by means of sputtering with boron carbide or a boron film. An adhesion promoting layer is optionally applied between the metal substrate and below the boron or boron carbide layer. The coatings obtained have a high homogeneity in layer thickness, chemical composition and isotope ratio as well as a low level of impurities such as oxygen or nitrogen.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a neutron converter from boron carbide or a boron film on a neutron transparent metal substrate. The neutron transparent metal substrate is polished in a first step by fine grinding and coated in a further step by means of sputtering with boron carbide or a boron film. An adhesion promoting layer is optionally applied between the metal substrate and below the boron or boron carbide layer. The coatings obtained have a high homogeneity in layer thickness, chemical composition and isotope ratio as well as a low level of impurities such as oxygen or nitrogen.

A radiation detection device includes a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) arranged to form a resonant cavity. The cavity includes a first end and a second end. The plurality of FETs provide an electromagnetic field defining an standing wave oscillating at a resonant frequency defined by a characteristic of the cavity. A radiation input passing through the cavity induces a perturbation of the electromagnetic field.

Provided herein are neutron imaging systems (e.g., radiography and tomography) systems and methods that provide, for example, high-quality, high throughput 2D and 3D fast or thermal neutron and/or X-ray images. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale imaging of industrial components. In certain embodiments, provided herein are system comprising a plurality of independent neutron absorber-lined collimators (e.g., 4 or more collimators) extending outwards from a central neutron source assembly.

Provided herein are neutron imaging systems (e.g., radiography and tomography) systems and methods that provide, for example, high-quality, high throughput 2D and 3D fast or thermal neutron and/or X-ray images. Such systems and methods find use for the commercial-scale imaging of industrial components. In certain embodiments, provided herein are system comprising a plurality of independent neutron absorber-lined collimators (e.g., 4 or more collimators) extending outwards from a central neutron source assembly.

A solution is provided comprising boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in a liquid solvent. An optical waveguide, such as an optical fiber, is contacted with the solution so as to form a layer of the solution supported on at least a portion of the optical waveguide. The liquid solvent is then removed from the layer of the solution supported on the optical waveguide in order to form a coating of the BNNTs on the optical waveguide. Further provided is a BNNT coated optical waveguide for use as a sensor.

A radiation detection device includes a plurality of field effect transistors (FETs) arranged to form a resonant cavity. The cavity includes a first end and a second end. The plurality of FETs provide an electromagnetic field defining an standing wave oscillating at a resonant frequency defined by a characteristic of the cavity. A radiation input passing through the cavity induces a perturbation of the electromagnetic field.

A method whereby signals that are output by replacement SPNDs are converted into equivalent signals that would have been detected by legacy SPNDs for input to the legacy software. The replacement SPNDs have a different geometry than the legacy SPNDs and also have a different neutron sensitivity than the legacy SPNDs. The replacement SPNDs are subjected to a neutron flux in a core of a reactor and responsively output a set of signals. The set of signals and the geometry of the replacement SPNDs are employed to create a characterization of the neutron flux in the form of a curve that represents flux as a function of location along the core of the reactor. The legacy geometry of the legacy SPNDs is then employed to find the values on the curve that correspond with the positions where the legacy SPNDs had been located to create inputs for the legacy software.

A local area, thermal cosmogenic neutron sensor is used for detecting moisture within a measurement surface. A neutron detector is positioned on a stand structure holding the detector above a measurement surface. A neutron shield is positioned around at least a portion of the neutron detector. The neutron shield substantially covers lateral sides of the neutron detector and substantially an entirety of a top of the neutron detector and is not positioned on a bottom side of the neutron detector. Local area, thermal cosmogenic neutrons propagating from the measurement surface travel through an air space before arriving at the neutron detector.