Development of a novel direction-position sensing fast neutron detector using tensioned metastable fluids

A directional-position sensing fast neutron sensor utilizing the acoustic tensioned metastable fluid detector (ATMFD) is described. This ATMFD system enables the determination of directionality of incoming neutron radiation with a single detector, and is developed based on a combination of experimentation and theoretical assessments. Benchmarking and qualifications studies conducted with a 1 Ci Pu-Be neutron source produced encouraging results. These results indicated that the ATMFD is not only comparable in technical performance with competing directional fast neutron detector-bank technologies under development worldwide, but it promised to do so with a single detector and at a significant reduction in both cost and size while remaining completely blind to nonneutron background radiation. Applications to neutron source spatial imaging and standoff detection with the ATMFD system are also presented. The ATMFD was found to successfully locate a hidden neutron source in a blind test. Assessments for practically relevant situations were conducted and it was revealed that an ATMFD system (with a 6 cm×10 cm cross-sectional area) could offer directionality on incoming neutron radiation from a 8 kg Pu source at 25 m standoff, with a resolution of 11.2°, with 68% confidence within 60 s. Position and neutron source image sensing capability were also demonstrated using two ATMFDs.