A device for detecting neutrons with gamma discrimination and/or gamma radiation includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, an electron separator layer between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device, and a gadolinium-containing layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer.

A device for detecting neutrons with gamma discrimination and/or gamma radiation includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, an electron separator layer between the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device, and a gadolinium-containing layer between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer.

A nuclear radiation detector is disclosed. The detector includes a housing including therein: a scintillator; and a multi-pixel optical sensor positioned, relative to the scintillator, to receive photons emitted by the scintillator in response to interactions with nuclear radiation. The housing isolates the scintillator and the multi-pixel optical sensor from external light. The detector includes one or more processors operably connectable to the multi-pixel optical sensor; and one or more data stores coupled to the processors having instructions stored thereon which cause the processors to perform operations. The operations include: responsive to the multi-pixel optical sensor detecting photons emitted by the scintillator, receiving, from the multi-pixel optical sensor, data signals indicating 1) spatial locations of individual pixels that detected the photons and 2) temporal data indicating when the detections occurred; and generating, from the data signals, a spatially and temporally resolved image of radiation incident on the scintillator.

A nuclear radiation detector is disclosed. The detector includes a housing including therein: a scintillator; and a multi-pixel optical sensor positioned, relative to the scintillator, to receive photons emitted by the scintillator in response to interactions with nuclear radiation. The housing isolates the scintillator and the multi-pixel optical sensor from external light. The detector includes one or more processors operably connectable to the multi-pixel optical sensor; and one or more data stores coupled to the processors having instructions stored thereon which cause the processors to perform operations. The operations include: responsive to the multi-pixel optical sensor detecting photons emitted by the scintillator, receiving, from the multi-pixel optical sensor, data signals indicating 1) spatial locations of individual pixels that detected the photons and 2) temporal data indicating when the detections occurred; and generating, from the data signals, a spatially and temporally resolved image of radiation incident on the scintillator.

A new family of neutron/gamma discriminating scintillators is disclosed that comprises stable organic glasses that may be melt-cast into transparent monoliths. These materials have been shown to provide light yields greater than solution-grown trans-stilbene crystals and efficient PSD capabilities when combined with 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of the total composition of a wavelength-shifting fluorophore. Photoluminescence measurements reveal fluorescence quantum yields that are 2 to 5 times greater than conventional plastic or liquid scintillator matrices, which accounts for the superior light yield of these glasses. The unique combination of high scintillation light-yields, efficient neutron/gamma PSD, and straightforward scale-up via melt-casting distinguishes the developed organic glasses from existing scintillators.

A new family of neutron/gamma discriminating scintillators is disclosed that comprises stable organic glasses that may be melt-cast into transparent monoliths. These materials have been shown to provide light yields greater than solution-grown trans-stilbene crystals and efficient PSD capabilities when combined with 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of the total composition of a wavelength-shifting fluorophore. Photoluminescence measurements reveal fluorescence quantum yields that are 2 to 5 times greater than conventional plastic or liquid scintillator matrices, which accounts for the superior light yield of these glasses. The unique combination of high scintillation light-yields, efficient neutron/gamma PSD, and straightforward scale-up via melt-casting distinguishes the developed organic glasses from existing scintillators.

Systems and methods for detecting clandestine fissile or radioactive material on the basis of emitted radiation and particles (such as neutrons and alpha particles) arising from within the material. Emission by the fissile or radioactive material is detected in conjunction with a conventional x-ray imaging system that includes an external source of illuminating penetrating radiation, at least one detector configured to detect at least the penetrating radiation and to generate a detector signal, and a processor configured as a detector signal discriminator to generate an output indicating whether the detector signal is triggered by an origin other than illuminating penetrating radiation. Active and passive modes of detection are described by some embodiments. Other embodiments are directed toward neutron detection, gamma ray detection with energy resolution, and designs of detectors to enhance the detection of clandestine nuclear material.

Systems and methods for detecting clandestine fissile or radioactive material on the basis of emitted radiation and particles (such as neutrons and alpha particles) arising from within the material. Emission by the fissile or radioactive material is detected in conjunction with a conventional x-ray imaging system that includes an external source of illuminating penetrating radiation, at least one detector configured to detect at least the penetrating radiation and to generate a detector signal, and a processor configured as a detector signal discriminator to generate an output indicating whether the detector signal is triggered by an origin other than illuminating penetrating radiation. Active and passive modes of detection are described by some embodiments. Other embodiments are directed toward neutron detection, gamma ray detection with energy resolution, and designs of detectors to enhance the detection of clandestine nuclear material.

A neutron detector system for discriminating fissile material from non-fissile material wherein a digital data acquisition unit collects data at high rate, and in real-time processes large volumes of data directly to count neutrons from the unknown source and detecting excess grouped neutrons to identify fission in the unknown source. The system includes a Poisson neutron generator for in-beam interrogation of a possible fissile neutron source and a DC power supply that exhibits electrical ripple on the order of less than one part per million. Certain voltage multiplier circuits, such as Cockroft-Walton voltage multipliers, are used to enhance the effective of series resistor-inductor circuits components to reduce the ripple associated with traditional AC rectified, high voltage DC power supplies.

Distributed fiber optic sensors formed by covering the fibers with tubing are provided. The tubing including responsive materials formulated or configured to, responsive to exposure to one of a target chemical species and a target radiation particle, change a relative size and generate a localized effect on or in the optical fiber.