A neutron beam detecting device according to the invention includes: a first solar cell-type detector that is provided with, on a surface thereof, a conversion film for converting neutrons into photons or any charged particle beam among alpha particles, protons, lithium nuclei, gamma rays or beta rays, and generates a current in response to incident radiation; a radiation detector that generates a current insensitive to neutrons as an output signal in response to the radiation incident; a current measuring device that detects, as signals, the current generated by the first solar cell-type detector and the current generated by the radiation detector in response to the incident radiation; and a flux calculating unit that compares the current signals from the detectors which are detected by the current measuring device. The flux calculating unit associates the detected current signals from the solar cell-type detector and the radiation detector with a relation between a flux of incident radiation of a predetermined type obtained in advance and the detected currents from the solar cell-type detector and the radiation detector, and calculates a flux of a neutron beam.

An improved hodoscope radiation detector includes a cone filled with a plastic medium that is closer to the density of water (“tissue equivalent”) than air. The medium may have the following properties: 1) Highly transparent with little optical distortion 2) Produces light along the path of incident radiation (x-rays, protons, and ions of heavier weight like carbon, helium, etc.—also called hadrons) 3) Moldable and/or machinable (i.e., not a hard crystal) 4) Homogeneous—evenly distributed density. This medium can fill the cone completely or only a section of the cone (i.e., frustum) or a subsection of the cone such as a cylinder.

A calorimetric detector (1) for measuring energy of electrons and photons comprises a light energy absorber and scintillating fibers (2). The absorber is formed of a tungsten matrix (3), comprising a first assembly (4) and a second assembly (5) of parallel tungsten plates. The first assembly (4) is perpendicular to the second assembly (5) forming a grid, while each plate is in one half formed by alternating teeth (6) and gaps (7). The first assembly's (4) plates fit detachably with their teeth (6) into the gaps (7) of the second assembly (5) and vice versa. Spaces between the plates of the first assembly (4) and the second assembly (5) form longitudinal sections (8) with inner cross-section size of one pixel. The scintillating fibers (2) are longitudinally arranged, made of a single crystal material. The tungsten matrix (3) is in a protective metal frame (9) having tungsten inner walls (10).

A method for monitoring precipitation of magnetospheric particles includes detecting charged magnetospheric particles by a particles detector, processing the detection data to associate a respective estimate or measurement of kinetic energy with the detected magnetospheric particles, obtaining a first count value N.sub.H associated with a relatively higher estimate or measurement of kinetic energy, obtaining a second count value N.sub.L associated with a relatively lower estimate or measurement of kinetic energy, detecting a relative variation of the second count value N.sub.L with respect to the first count value N.sub.H, determining that an impulsive event of precipitation of charged magnetospheric particles (MPP event) in the magnetosphere occurred, assigning to the MPP event geomagnetic longitude and time, defining one or more groups of MPP events occurred in a time range at a same geomagnetic longitude, and identifying a group of MPP events indicative of an activity of terrestrial origin.

To provide a radiation analyzer that can perform analyses by a long-term stable and high energy resolution without correcting a current flowing through a transition edge sensor (hereinafter referred to as TES) or a pulse height value of a signal pulse. The radiation analyzer includes: a TES 1 configured to detect radiation; a current detection mechanism 4 configured to detect a current flowing through the TES 1; a pulse height analyzer 5 configured to measure a pulse height value based on the current detected by the current detection mechanism 4; a baseline monitor mechanism 6 configured to detect a baseline current flowing through the TES 1; a first heater 13 whose output is adjusted to stabilize a temperature of a first thermometer 12 disposed in a cold head that cools the TES 1; and a second heater 14 that is disposed fairly close to the TES 1 and whose output is adjusted to stabilize a baseline current.

An optical fiber-based gamma-ray calorimeter (OFBGC) sensor array which uses a thermal mass with a low thermal conductivity is provided. Advantages of the OFBGC sensor array include: 1) the number of sensors in the OFBGC sensor array is adjustable and limited only by the spatial resolution of the OFBGC sensors, within the OFBGC sensor array, and 2) the OFBGC sensor design is simpler to build than a conventional optical fiber-based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) sensor array. One purpose of the OFBGC is to determine the power distribution in nuclear reactors.

To provide a radiation analyzer that can perform analyses by a long-term stable and high energy resolution without correcting a current flowing through a transition edge sensor (hereinafter referred to as TES) or a pulse height value of a signal pulse. The radiation analyzer includes: a TES 1 configured to detect radiation; a current detection mechanism 4 configured to detect a current flowing through the TES 1; a pulse height analyzer 5 configured to measure a pulse height value based on the current detected by the current detection mechanism 4; a baseline monitor mechanism 6 configured to detect a baseline current flowing through the TES 1; a first heater 13 whose output is adjusted to stabilize a temperature of a first thermometer 12 disposed in a cold head that cools the TES 1; and a second heater 14 that is disposed fairly close to the TES 1 and whose output is adjusted to stabilize a baseline current.

A method of forming low-energy x-ray absorbers. Sensors may be formed on a semiconductor, e.g., silicon, wafer. A seed metal layer, e.g., gold, is deposited on the wafer and patterned into stem pads for electroplating. Stems, e.g., gold, are electroplated from the stem seed pads through a stem mask. An absorber layer, e.g., gold, is deposited on the wafer, preferably e-beam evaporated. After patterning the absorbers, absorber and stem mask material is removed, e.g., in a solvent bath and critical point drying.

A neutron beam detecting device according to the invention includes: a first solar cell-type detector that is provided with, on a surface thereof, a conversion film for converting neutrons into photons or any charged particle beam among alpha particles, protons, lithium nuclei, gamma rays or beta rays, and generates a current in response to incident radiation; a radiation detector that generates a current insensitive to neutrons as an output signal in response to the radiation incident; a current measuring device that detects, as signals, the current generated by the first solar cell-type detector and the current generated by the radiation detector in response to the incident radiation; and a flux calculating unit that compares the current signals from the detectors which are detected by the current measuring device. The flux calculating unit associates the detected current signals from the solar cell-type detector and the radiation detector with a relation between a flux of incident radiation of a predetermined type obtained in advance and the detected currents from the solar cell-type detector and the radiation detector, and calculates a flux of a neutron beam.

A method of forming low-energy x-ray absorbers. Sensors may be formed on a semiconductor, e.g., silicon, wafer. A seed metal layer, e.g., gold, is deposited on the wafer and patterned into stem pads for electroplating. Stems, e.g., gold, are electroplated from the stem seed pads through a stem mask. An absorber layer, e.g., gold, is deposited on the wafer, preferably e-beam evaporated. After patterning the absorbers, absorber and stem mask material is removed, e.g., in a solvent bath and critical point drying.