中子检测爆炸物的原理实验研究

传统的X射线无损检测应用广泛, 但X射线对低原子序素构成为主的爆炸物不能进行有效的甄别; 中子穿透能力较强, 能和原子核相互作用产生特征γ射线, 因此中子无损检测方法能有效弥补X射线无损检测方法的不足。 介绍了几种常用的中子无损检测方法, 并采用脉冲快热中子法（为PFTNA）的方法对模拟爆炸物进行了测量。 实验结果表明, 利用密封中子发生器和采用PFTNA方法进行爆炸物检测是可行的。 Traditional X ray scatheless detecting method is used widely, but it is not useful to discriminate explosive consisting of low Z atomic elements. The penetrability of neutron is much better, and it can interact on atomic nucleus to emit characteristic γ ray. So neutron scatheless detecting methods can the used to detect the low Z atomic elements. In this paper, several neutron scatheless detecting methods are introduced briefly, and the principium experiment using Pulse Fast Thermal Neutron Analysis(PETNA) to detect a kind of explosive simulacrum is carried out. The experiment results show that PFTNA based on the sealed neutron generator is feasible to detect explosive.     

Study of the RPC-Gd as thermal neutron detector

The BESⅢ RPC with Gd coating as thermal neutron detector was designed and constructed. Three prototypes were built with different techniques of producing the gadolinium converter. The performance of the cosmic ray test, the signal and the radiation spectrum were discussed in this paper. Lastly, the efficiency of one prototype with the best performance for detecting the thermal neutron was tested as 8.7%.     

Thermal neutron equivalent dose measurements with nanostructured zirconia

This paper reports the experimental results concerning the thermoluminescent measurements of thermal neutron using nanostructured zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) powder prepared by the sol–gel method. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques were used for morphological and structural characterization of the compound. Thermal annealing processes for the precipitates were studied. It was observed that the crystalline structure and the crystallinity of the powders depend on the annealing temperature. For temperatures higher than 1100 °C, the material presents the monoclinic phase with average nanocrystallite sizes ranging from 8–10 nm up to ～40 nm. These zirconium oxide materials developed in our laboratory were used in this investigation. Within the experimental uncertainties, these measurements were compared with those obtained using the well-known gamma rays sensitive lithium fluoride (LiF:Mg,Cu,P), also developed in our laboratory.     

Characteristics of a neutron moisture gauge with a solid state detector

The development of a neutron moisture gauge, using Cf²⁵² as a source of fast neutrons and muscovite as a detector of thermal-neutron-induced-fission in Pu²³⁹ target, is reported. The laboratory and the field calibrations of the instrument reveal a linear relation between track count rate and the moisture volume fraction. Low cost, low weight, simplicity of operation, thermal stability and elimination of electronic gadgets and power supplies are the attractive features of this instrument. The main drawback is its poor detection efficiency for thermal neutrons and the consequent unsuitability as a routine logging instrument. Its special features make it particularly suited to deep bore hole logging such as in oil exploration.     

Study of the RPC-Gd as thermal neutron detector

The BESⅢ ·RPC with Gd coating as thermal neutron detector was designed and constructed. Three prototypes were built with different techniques of producing the gadolinium converter. The performance of the cosmic ray test, the signal and the radiation spectrum were discussed in this paper. Lastly, the efficiency of one prototype with the best performance for detecting the thermal neutron was tested as 8.7%.     

In-phantom neutron dose distribution for bladder cancer cases treated with high-energy photons

This work presents an estimation of the neutron dose distribution for common bladder cancer cases treated with high-energy photons of 15 MV therapy accelerators. Neutron doses were measured in an Alderson phantom, using TLD 700 and 600 thermoluminescence dosimeters, resembling bladder cancer cases treated with high-energy photons from 15 MV LINAC and having a treatment plan using the four-field pelvic box technique. Thermal neutron dose distribution in the target area and the surrounding tissue was estimated. The sensitivity of all detectors for both gamma and neutrons was estimated and used for correction of the TL reading. TLD detectors were irradiated with a Co⁶⁰ gamma standard source and thermal neutrons at the irradiation facility of the National Institute for Standards (NIS). The TL to dose conversion factor was estimated in terms of both Co⁶⁰ neutron equivalent dose and thermal neutron dose. The dose distribution of photo-neutrons throughout each target was estimated and presented in three-dimensional charts and isodose curves. The distribution was found to be non-isotropic through the target. It varied from a minimum of 0.23 mSv/h to a maximum of 2.07 mSv/h at 6 cm off-axis. The mean neutron dose equivalent was found to be 0.63 mSv/h, which agrees with other published literature. The estimated average neutron equivalent to the bladder per administered therapeutic dose was found to be 0.39 mSv Gy^?1, which is also in good agreement with published literature. As a consequence of a complete therapeutic treatment of 50 Gy high-energy photons at 15 MV, the total thermal neutron equivalent dose to the abdomen was found to be about 0.012 Sv.     

High efficiency event-counting thermal neutron imaging using a Gd-doped micro-channel plate

An event-counting thermal neutron imaging detector based on 3 mol % nattGd2O3-doped micro-channel plate （MCP） has been developed and tested. A thermal neutron imaging experiment was carried out with a low flux neutron beam. Detection efficiency of 33% was achieved with only one doped MCP. The spatial resolution of 72μ m RMS is currently limited by the readout anode. A detector with larger area and improved readout method is now being developed.     

Inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamics of GaPO<Subscript>4</Subscript>

We report here measurements of phonon spectrum and lattice dynamical calculations for GaPO₄. The measurements in low-cristobalite phase of GaPO₄ are carried out using high-resolution medium-energy chopper spectrometer at ANL, USA in the energy transfer range 0–160 meV. Semiempirical interatomic potential in GaPO₄, previously determined using ab-initio calculations have been widely used in studying the phase transitions among various polymorphs. The calculated phonon spectrum using the available potential show fair agreement with the experimental data. However, the agreement between the two is improved by including the polarisability of the oxygen atoms in the framework of the shell model. The lattice dynamical models are also exploited for calculations of various thermodynamic properties of GaPO₄.     

High efficiency event-counting thermal neutron imaging using a Gd-doped micro-channel plate

An event-counting thermal neutron imaging detector based on 3 mol%natGd2O3-doped micro-channel plate(MCP)has been developed and tested.A thermal neutron imaging experiment was carried out with a low flux neutron beam.Detection efficiency of 33%was achieved with only one doped MCP.The spatial resolution of 72μm RMS is currently limited by the readout anode.A detector with larger area and improved readout method is now being developed.     

Thermal stability of Cu–Nb nanolamellar composites fabricated via accumulative roll bonding

In situ annealing within a neutron beam line and ex situ annealing followed by transmission electron microscopy were used to study the thermal stability of the texture, microstructure, and bi-metal interface in bulk nanolamellar Cu/Nb composites (h?=?18?nm individual layer thickness) fabricated via accumulative roll bonding, a severe plastic deformation technique. Compared to the bulk single-phase constituent materials, the nanocomposite is two orders of magnitude higher in hardness and significantly more thermally stable, e.g., no observed recrystallization in Cu at temperatures as high as 85% of the melting temperature. The nanoscale h?=?18?nm individual layer thickness is maintained up to 500°C, the lamellar structure thickens but is maintained up to 700°C, and recrystallization is suppressed even up to 900°C. With increasing temperature, the texture sharpens, and among the interfaces found in the starting material, the {112}_Cu?||?{112}_Nb interface with a Kurdjumov-Sachs orientation relationship shows the greatest thermal stability. Our results suggest that thickening of the individual layers under heat treatment coincides with thermally driven removal of energetically unfavorable bi-metal interfaces. Thus, we uncover a temperature regime that maintains the lamellar structure but alters the interface distribution such that a single, low energy, thermally stable interface prevails.     

应用于热中子的nTHGEM探测器性能研究

随着脉冲强流中子源的发展,对高性能中子探测器提出了更大的挑战,3He气体资源严重短缺和高计数率中子探测器的迫切需求,已开始制约着中子源应用技术的发展。中国科学院高能物理研究所针对中子的特殊性,专门研发了一种陶瓷基材的nTHGEM（neutron Thick Gaseous Electron Multiplier）探测器用于中子探测。基于nTHGEM的中子探测器具有高计数率、高位置与时间分辨能力、增益大、制作工艺简单,且便于大面积制作的特点,是目前国际上发展替代3He探测技术的重要方向之一。为了详细研究nTHGEM探测器的本身性能,本工作使用55Fe放射源研究了nTHGEM探测器的增益、计数率稳定性、能量分辨率等关键参数与nTHGEM膜间电压、收集场强、漂移场强之间的关系,优化了nTHGEM探测器在不同工作气体中的工作参数,为后续进一步优化nTHGEM探测器设计和工艺奠定了基础。实验结果表明,单层nTHGEM探测器在Ar（90%）+CO₂（10%）混合气体中增益能达到103,探测器计数率稳定性良好。另外,还在中国原子能科学研究院的CARR反应堆（China Advanced Research Reactor）上进行了中子束流实验,通过狭缝测量到探测器位置分辨率为（3.01±0.03）mm（FWHM）,已经接近高气压3He MWPC中子探测器水平。With the development of pulsed intense neutron source, the high-performance neutron detector poses more challenges. The severe shortage of 3He gas resources and the urgent need of neutron detector with high counting rate have begun to restrict the neutron source application technology development. In response to the particularity of neutrons, the Institute of High Energy Physics of CAS developed a nTHGEM(neutron Thick Gaseous Electron Multiplier)of ceramic substrate for neutron detection. The neutron detector based on nTHGEM is one of the most important directions for the development of alternative 3He detection technology in the world at present because of its high counting rate, high position and time resolution, large gain, simple fabrication process and large area production. In order to study the properties of nTHGEM detector in detail, this paper studied the relationship between nTHGEM detector's gain, counting rate stability, energy resolution and other key parameters and nTHGEM film voltage, collection field strength and drift field strength using 55Fe radioactive source, Optimized the working parameters of nTHGEM detector in different working gases, which laid the foundation for further optimization of nTHGEM detector design and process. The experimental results show that the single-layer nTHGEM detector has a gain of 103 in a Ar(90%)+CO₂(10%) mixed gas with good counting rate stability. In addition, a neutron beam experiment was performed on the China Advanced Research Reactor at the China Institute of Atomic Energy, and the position resolution of the detector was (3.01±0.03) mm (FWHM) measured by slits. Its performance is close to the high pressure 3He MWPC neutron detector level.     

Negative thermal expansion in framework compounds

We have studied negative thermal expansion (NTE) compounds with chemical compositions of NX₂O₈ and NX₂O₇ (N=Zr, Hf and X=W, Mo, V) and M₂O (M=Cu, Ag) using the techniques of inelastic neutron scattering and lattice dynamics. There is a large variation in the negative thermal expansion coefficients of these compounds. The inelastic neutron scattering experiments have been carried out using polycrystalline and single crystal samples at ambient pressure as well as at high pressures. Experimental data are useful to confirm the predictions made from our lattice dynamical calculations as well as to check the quality of the interatomic potentials developed by us. We have been able to successfully model the NTE behaviour of these compounds. Our studies show that unusual phonon softening of low energy modes is able to account for NTE in these compounds.      

Study of the improvement of TLD cards for personal neutron dosimetry

In this work, personal thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) cards type of GN-6770 (holder type 8806) from Harshaw were used for personal neutron dosimetry. The response of the dosimeters has been determined in terms of the personal absorbed dose and personal dose equivalent for different neutron energy components, based on the recommendations of ICRP-60 and ICRU-49. Neutron irradiation was performed using a 5 mCi Am–Be neutron source. The TLD reader, type Harshaw 6600, was installed and calibrated for accurate neutron doses equivalent to gamma-ray doses. It was found that fast neutron doses measured by TLD (badges or cards) are in agreement with those measured by neutron TE (tissue equivalent gas) ionization chambers and neutron monitors. Thermal neutron doses measured by TLD cards were overestimated when compared with those measured by neutron monitors. Additional Cd was used to reduce thermal neutron doses to be in agreement with actual thermal doses. Other configurations for TLD crystals are also suggested for accurate thermal neutron dose measurements.     

Rotational energy conversion and thermal evolution of neutron stars

Pulsars are rapidly spinning, strongly magnetized neutron stars. Their electromagnetic dipole radiation is usually assumed to be at the expense of the rotational energy. In this work, we consider a new channel through which rotational energy could be radiated away directly via neutrinos. With this new energy conversion channel, we can improve the chemical heating mechanism that originates in the deviation from β equilibrium due to spin-down compression. The improved chemical and thermal evolution equations with different magnetic field strengths are solved numerically. The results show that the new energy conversion channel could raise the surface temperature of neutron stars, especially for weak field stars at later stages of their evolution. Moreover, our results indicate that the new energy conversion channel induced by the non-equilibrium reaction processes should be taken into account in the study of thermal evolution.     

A conceptual high flux reactor design with scope for use in ADS applications

A 100 MWt reactor design has been conceived to support flux level of the order of 10¹⁵ n/cm²/s in selected flux trap zones. The physics design considers high enriched metallic alloy fuel in the form of annular plates placed in a D₂O moderator tank in a hexagonal lattice arrangement. By choosing a tight lattice pitch in the central region and double the lattice pitch in the outer region, it is possible to have both high fast flux and thermal flux trap zones. By design the flux level in the seed fuel has been kept lower than in the high flux trap zones so that the burning rate of the seed is reduced. Another important objective of the design is to maximize the time interval of refueling. As against a typical refueling interval of a few weeks in such high flux reactor cores, it is desired to maximize this period to as much as six months or even one year. This is possible to achieve by eliminating the conventional control absorbers and replacing them with a suitable amount of fertile material loading in the reactor. Requisite number of seedless thorium-aluminum alloy plates are placed at regular lattice locations vacated by seed fuel in alternate fuel layers. It is seen that these thorium plates are capable of acquiring asymptotic fissile content of 14 g/kg in about 100 days of irradiation at a flux level of 8 × 10¹⁴ n/cm²/s. In summary, the core has a relatively higher fast flux in the central region and high thermal flux in the outer region. The present physics design envisages a flat core excess reactivity for the longest possible cycle length of 6 months to one year. It is also possible to modify the design for constant subcriticality for about the same period or longer duration by considering neutron spallation source at the centre and curtailing the power density in the inner core region by shielding it with a layer of thoria fuel loading.      

Thermoelastic properties of deuterated melamine,C3N6D6, between 4.2–320 K at 5 kPa and between 0.1–5.0 GPa at 295 K from neutron powder diffraction and DFT calculations

We have determined the lattice parameters of perdeuterated melamine, C₃N₆D₆, as a function of temperature (4.2–320?K) close to atmospheric pressure and as a function of pressure (0–5?GPa) at room temperature, using time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction methods. Our observations confirm that the ambient-pressure P2₁/a structure persists throughout this range of P and T. Both the thermal expansion and the compressibility are highly anisotropic; the principal directions of greatest thermal expansion and greatest compressibility are roughly perpendicular to the corrugated sheets of H-bonded melamine molecules that form the main structural motif. Complementary ab initio calculations (van der Waals corrected Density Functional Theory) provide an estimate of how the inter- and intra-molecular geometry may alter as a function pressure in the athermal limit.     

Structure and spectroscopy of the supercapacitor material hydrous ruthenium oxide,RuO2·xH2o,by neutron scattering*

Hydrous ruthenium dioxide, RuO₂·xH₂O, is a material of active investigation as an electrode material for supercapacitors. A combination of elastic and inelastic neutron scattering together with thermal gravimetric studies and DFT calculations have provided new insight into the nature of the surface species present on RuO₂·xH₂O. Our results confirm that hydrous ruthenium oxide is a nanocrystalline material consisting of a core of RuO₂. We show that the surface consists largely of Ru–OH with small amounts of water hydrogen-bonded to the surface. The hydroxyls are stable up to ～200°C, i.e. over the composition range x?=?0.2–2. The optimal supercapacitor material has x?=?0.5–0.7, and in this range, the surface is fully hydroxylated. This provides a route for the proton transport: a proton can attach to a surface hydroxyl to generate coordinated water, proton transport then occurs along the hydrogen-bonded chain by a Grotthuss mechanism.     

Cooling of Akmal-Pandharipande-Ravenhall neutron stars with a rotochemical heating source

Employing phenomenological density-dependent critical temperatures of strong singlet-state proton pairing and of moderate triplet-state neutron pairing, we investigate the effects of rotochemical heating on the thermal evolution of superfluid neutron stars whose cores consist of npe matter with the Akmal-Pandharipande-Ravenhall equation of state. Since the star is not quite in the weak interaction equilibrium state during spin-down, the departure from the chemical equilibrium leads to the rotochemical heating in a rotating NS which will increase the stellar＇s temperature. Our calculations show that the rotochemical heating delays the cooling of superfluid neutron stars considerably and makes the previous classification of NS cooling ambiguous. What＇s more, our model is currently consistent with all the observational data, and in particular some middle-aged and cold NSs （PRS J0205＋6449 in 3C 58, PRS J1357-6429, RX J007.0＋7303 in CTA 1, Vela） can be better explained when taking into account rotochemical heating.     

Cooling of Akmal-Pandharipande-Ravenhall neutron stars with a rotochemical heating source

Employing phenomenological density-dependent critical temperatures of strong singlet-state proton pairing and of moderate triplet-state neutron pairing, we investigate the effects of rotochemical heating on the thermal evolution of superfluid neutron stars whose cores consist of npe matter with the Akmal-Pandharipande-Ravenhall equation of state. Since the star is not quite in the weak interaction equilibrium state during spin-down, the departure from the chemical equilibrium leads to the rotochemical heating in a rotating NS which will increase the stellar's temperature. Our calculations show that the rotochemical heating delays the cooling of superfluid neutron stars considerably and makes the previous classification of NS cooling ambiguous. What's more, our model is currently consistent with all the observational data, and in particular some middle-aged and cold NSs (PRS J0205+6449 in 3C 58, PRS J1357-6429, RX J007.0+7303 in CTA 1, Vela) can be better explained when taking into account rotochemical heating.     

新型热中子敏感微通道板探测效率的蒙特-卡罗模拟研究

基于microchannel plates (MCP)的中子探测技术近年来发展迅速, 因其具有较高的空间分辨率和中子探测效率以及优异的时间分辨能力, 可用于高分辨率中子照相和能量选择中子成像. 本文利用蒙特-卡罗(MC)程序, 对栅格为15 μm的热中子敏感MCP板进行MC模拟计算, 获得了不同几何结构和材料组成情况下, 掺杂型和镀膜型热中子敏感MCP板的探测效率. 计算结果表明, 增加中子敏感材料的比例可以获得更高的中子阻挡效率, 但同时也加大了次级粒子发射进入MCP板通道的难度, 掺杂型MCP 板的通道直径和镀膜型MCP板的镀膜厚度均存在最优值. MCP板厚度为0.4 mm时, 对¹⁰B₂O₃材料, 掺杂型MCP板的热中子探测效率可以超过40%, 镀膜型MCP板的热中子探测效率可以接近60%.