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Application of Pixel‑Cell Detector
Technology for Advanced Neutron Beam Monitors--ORDELA, Inc.,
Mr. Daniel M. Kopp, Principal Investigator,
dkopp@ordela.com
Mr. Daniel M. Kopp, Business Official, dkopp@ordela.com
DOE Grant No. DE‑FG02‑07ER84844
Amount:
$750,000
Currently available neutron detectors are limited in their ability
to be used with the intense neutron beams used for the advanced study of
materials at large-scale national facilities.
A large number of neutron-scattering experiments require beam monitors
to operate in an intense neutron beam flux of more than107
neutrons per second per
square centimeter. For instance, a 4 cm
x 4 cm intense beam flux of 6.25x107 n/s/cm2 at
the Spallation Neutron Source will put a flux of 1.00x109 n/s
at the beam monitor. Currently available
beam monitors will need to be replaced in less than two years of operation due
to wire and gas degradation issues. There
is also a need for beam position information that is beyond the capabilities of
currently available 3He and BF3 neutron beam monitors. This project will investigate the use of
pixel-cell technology for developing a new generation of stable,
high-count-rate neutron beam monitors and position-sensitive detectors. In Phase I, a prototypical 2 x 4 Pixel-Cell
Neutron Beam monitor was conceptualized, designed, and constructed. The prototype unit was successfully tested
and evaluated in a neutron beam at the High Flux Isotope Reactor in
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by
the awardee: The technology should lead to the
development and commercialization of advanced neutron beam detectors that would
directly benefit the Spallation Neutron Source and other intense neutron
sources such as the High Flux Isotope Reactor.
Advancing the detector capabilities is equivalent to increasing
operational efficiency and reducing the experiment beam time at these
facilities, which, in turn, results in important savings in operation cost and
increased experimental output.