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.

A system for monitoring fissile material contents inside of a nuclear reactor can include at least a first neutron detector positioned outside a radiation shield and configured to detect a plurality of neutrons originating from the reactor core and having passed through the radiation shield, and configured to generate a first output signal, and a controller communicably linked to the first neutron detector to receive the first output signal and a power output of the nuclear reactor.

Provided is a radiation detection system for improving the accuracy of a neutron beam irradiation dose for a neutron capture therapy system. The neutron capture therapy system includes a charged particle beam, a charged particle beam inlet for passing the charged particle beam, a neutron generating unit for generating the neutron beam by means of a nuclear reaction with the charged particle beam, a beam shaping assembly for adjusting flux and quality of the neutron beam, and a beam outlet adjoining to the beam shaping assembly, the radiation detection system includes a radiation detection device arranged within the beam shaper or outside the beam shaping assembly, the radiation detection device is used for real-time detection of the overflowing neutron beam by the neutron generating unit or the generated γ-ray after the nuclear reaction of the charged particle beam with the neutron generating unit.

Provided is a radiation detection system for improving the accuracy of a neutron beam irradiation dose for a neutron capture therapy system. The neutron capture therapy system includes a charged particle beam, a charged particle beam inlet for passing the charged particle beam, a neutron generating unit for generating the neutron beam by means of a nuclear reaction with the charged particle beam, a beam shaping assembly for adjusting flux and quality of the neutron beam, and a beam outlet adjoining to the beam shaping assembly, the radiation detection system includes a radiation detection device arranged within the beam shaper or outside the beam shaping assembly, the radiation detection device is used for real-time detection of the overflowing neutron beam by the neutron generating unit or the generated γ-ray after the nuclear reaction of the charged particle beam with the neutron generating unit.

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 detector for generating an electrical current that is proportional to a flux of neutrons includes a neutron sensitive emitter, a conductive collector, an insulator between the neutron-sensitive emitter and the collector, an electrical connection to the neutron sensitive emitter, and an electrical connection to the conductive collector. The neutron sensitive emitter includes an emitter material with no more than 2 stable isotopes, and which upon impact by a neutron having an energy of from 100 keV to 1000 keV will generate electrons in proportion to the flux of neutrons in less than 10 minutes, and any generated electrons not generated in less than 10 minutes will be generated in no less than 30 days. A method of detecting neutrons generated by a nuclear reactor is also disclosed.

A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The flight tube enables neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through an input opening and exit through an output opening. The stage supports a sample object to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and the output opening. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that receives neutrons that pass through the sample object and generates neutron detection signals. The neutron shield surrounds at least a portion of the flight tube and the neutron imaging module to block at least a portion of stray neutrons that travel toward the neutron-sensitive component of the neutron imaging module, in which the stray neutrons do not enter the flight tube through the input opening of the flight tube.

A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The flight tube enables neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through an input opening and exit through an output opening. The stage supports a sample object to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and the output opening. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that receives neutrons that pass through the sample object and generates neutron detection signals. The neutron shield surrounds at least a portion of the flight tube and the neutron imaging module to block at least a portion of stray neutrons that travel toward the neutron-sensitive component of the neutron imaging module, in which the stray neutrons do not enter the flight tube through the input opening of the flight tube.

A neutron imaging system includes a neutron generator, a flight tube, a stage, a neutron imaging module, and a neutron shield. The flight tube enables neutrons from the neutron generator to enter the flight tube through an input opening and exit through an output opening. The stage supports a sample object to receive neutrons that pass through the entire length of the flight tube and the output opening. The neutron imaging module has a neutron-sensitive component that receives neutrons that pass through the sample object and generates neutron detection signals. The neutron shield surrounds at least a portion of the flight tube and the neutron imaging module to block at least a portion of stray neutrons that travel toward the neutron-sensitive component of the neutron imaging module, in which the stray neutrons do not enter the flight tube through the input opening of the flight tube.