基于LaBr3(Ce)晶体耦合SiPM阵列的可变角分辨率伽玛相机的设计与研制

编码孔径成像技术由于探测效率高、信噪比高、角分辨率好、成像质量稳定可靠等优点而广泛应用于核安全、核设施的去污及退役的测量、核医学等领域。建立通过改变编码准直器和探测器之间距离进而实现可变角分辨的伽玛成像系统。整个成像系统主要由编码准直器、位置灵敏探测(position sensitive detector, PSD)、数据采集卡以及图像重建系统组成。该成像系统的编码准直器采用修正均匀冗余阵列(modified uniformly redundant array, MURA)编码方式,为了保障对较高能量射线的探测能力,编码准直器的材料采用含钨量90%的钨铜合金,PSD通过LaBr₃(Ce)晶体耦合SiPM阵列组成,重建算法采用的是直接互卷积算法,快速高效。测试结果显示,整个位置灵敏探测器的平均能量分辨率为4.96%(662 keV);该辐射成像系统可以准确地对Am-241、Cs-137、Co-60进行清晰成像,并通过改变编码准直器和探测器之间的距离成功分辨出两个Cs-137点源的位置。     

MEASUREMENT OF PROMPT NEUTRON SPECTRA OF ^238U FISSION INDUCED BY 10.17 AND 12.12 MeV NEUTRONS

Experimental method to measure the prompt neutron spectra of 238U fission induced by fast neutrons has been developed at HI-13 Tandem Van de Graaff Accelerator Laboratory of CIAE.These techniques employ a multi-segment fission chamber and two liquid scintillator neutron detectors.TOF(time of flight)techniques are used for primary neutrons to select the fission events induced by monoenergetic neutron from 2H(d,n) reactions instead of breakup neutrons from 2H(d,np) reactions.The fission neutron TOF spectra are measured in coincidence with the fission fragments to distinguish fission neutrons from other secondary neutrons.The method permits measurements to a fairly good accuracy under large neutron and gamma ray background.The techniques are described and experimental spectra are presented.     

Development of large-area composite stilbene scintillator for fast neutron detection

Fast neutron applications have gained popularity with the growth of fast neutron production facilities. Covering a larger area and/or wider angle can be one of the advantages of a fast neutron detector. In the present study, a large-area composite stilbene scintillator with the dimensions of 200 mm (D) × 20 mm (H) was fabricated to examine its scintillation properties and to evaluate its applicability to fast neutron detection. The detector response of small- and large-area composite stilbene scintillators for neutrons and gamma rays was measured and compared with that of commercial and small single-crystal stilbene scintillators. To this end, the response of each scintillator was measured for radioisotopes as well as mono-energetic neutrons generated by a Tandem accelerator. The neutron–gamma separation performance of the large-area composite stilbene scintillator was evaluated in terms of figure-of-merit (FoM) using the digital pulse shape discrimination method. The composite stilbene scintillator showed good energy linearity, as determined from its recoil proton spectra, with reasonable n–γ separation capability. The results indicated that the composite stilbene scintillator could be applied to the field of fast neutron detection, especially when a large area and/or a wide angle is to be covered and could be a good alternative to liquid scintillators.     

On the Cf primary and secondary gamma rays and epithermal neutron flux for BNCT

Monte Carlo simulation has been used to calculate the different components of neutrons and secondary gamma rays originated by ²⁵²Cf fission and also the primary gamma rays emitted directly by the ²⁵²Cf source at the exit face of a compact system designed for the BNCT. The system consists of a ²⁵²Cf source and a moderator/reflector/filter assembly. To study the material properties and configuration possibilities, the MCNP code has been used. The moderator/reflector/filter arrangement is optimised to moderate neutrons to epithermal energy and, as far as possible, to get rid of fast and thermal neutrons and photons from the therapeutic beam. To reduce the total gamma contamination and to have a sufficiently high epithermal neutron flux we have used different photon filters of different thickness. Our analysis showed that the use of an appropriate filter leads to a gamma ray flux reduction without affecting the epithermal neutron beam quality at the exit face of the system.     

Evaluation of prompt fission gamma rays for use in simulating nuclear safeguard measurements

Nondestructive assay methods that rely on measurement of correlated gamma rays from fission have been proposed as a means to determine the mass of fissile materials. Sensitivity studies for such measurements will require knowledge of the multiplicity of prompt gamma rays from fission; however, a very limited number of multiplicity distributions have been measured. A method is proposed to estimate the average number of gamma rays from any fission process by using the correlation of neutron and gamma emission in fission. Using this method, models for the total prompt gamma ray energy from fission adequately reproduce the measured value for thermal neutron induced fission of ²³³U. Likewise, the average energy of prompt gamma rays from fission has been adequately estimated using a simple linear model. Additionally, a method to estimate the multiplicity distribution of prompt gamma rays from fission is proposed based on a measured distribution for ²⁵²Cf. These methods are only approximate at best and should only be used for sensitivity studies. Measurements of the multiplicity distribution of prompt gamma rays from fission should be performed to determine the adequacy of the models proposed in this article.     

CARR堆冷中子瞬发伽玛活化分析系统及实验研究

利用中国先进研究堆（CARR）在国内首次开展了冷中子瞬发伽玛活化分析（CNPGAA）实验,采用定制加长的电制冷高纯锗（HPGe）探测器和先进的数字多道谱仪DSPEC®-502进行测量,获得了NH₄Cl样品中元素冷中子瞬发伽玛谱和本底谱等数据,同时利用伽玛放射源¹⁵²Eu、¹³⁷Cs、⁶⁰Co以及NH₄Cl产生的瞬发伽玛射线对探测器在宽能区0.1~8 MeV进行能量刻度。为降低环境辐射本底,HPGe探测器外围采用环形锗酸铋（BGO）康普顿谱仪,10 cm铅以及含⁶Li和¹⁰B材料对中子束流准直屏蔽。此外,利用金片活化法测量了CARR堆运行功率为15 MW时有无冷源情况下冷中子导管B(CNGB)末端1 m处的中子注量率,结果显示有冷源时中子注量率可提高一个量级。     

可控中子及X射线源测井技术发展现状及趋势

随着核仪器技术的进步以及安全健康的工业发展需求,具有人工可控性的中子源及X射线源逐步在测井领域得到推广应用,为油气等矿产资源的勘探开发提供了关键技术手段。可控中子及X射线源测井技术是以中子发生器或X射线管产生的中子或X射线与地层物质作用,通过探测中子、伽马或X射线从而进行地层孔隙度、密度、油气饱和度和元素含量的测井技术。本文概述了可控中子及X射线源测井技术,回顾了其发展历程;介绍了可控中子及X射线测井技术在数值模拟、仪器研制及数据处理方法方面的研究现状及应用,并展望了可控中子及X射线源测井技术的发展前景,认为未来可控中子及X射线源测井技术可从以下三个方面开展研究：分析不同射线在能量、时间及空间的分布规律,开展探测理论基础研究;联合不同学科优势,开展多类型多模式的新型仪器研制;增强谱数据校正及解析方法研究,开展谱信息综合分析及应用。     

同位素中子源活化瞬发分析装置

一、基本原理自六十年代中期以来,中子活化瞬发γ射线元素分析技术(PNAA)得到人们广泛重视。与通常的中子活化分析(NAA)技术相比,它分析的是样品中的主要成分,若用同位素中子源,还可进行实时在线连续测定及现场分析。PNAA技术是用热中子与待测元素发生中子俘获反应,处于激发态的产物核在瞬间     

MgO single-crystal as an efficient thermal neutron filter

A formula is given which, for neutron energies in the range 10⁻⁴ < E < 10 eV, permits calculation of the nuclear capture, thermal diffuse and Bragg scattering cross-sections as a function of magnesium oxide (MgO) temperature and crystal parameters. Computer program has been developed to calculate the total neutron cross-section and transmission through mono-crystalline MgO. The calculated neutron transmission and effective attenuation coefficient values for MgO-single crystal at different temperatures are compared with measured ones. An overall agreement is indicated between the formula fits and experimental data. A feasibility study for the use of MgO-single crystal is discussed in terms of the optimum MgO-single crystal thickness, mosaic spread, temperature and cutting plane for efficient transmission of thermal-reactor neutrons, and also for rejection of the accompanying fast neutrons and gamma rays.     

Characterization of an Am-Be PGNAA set-up developed for in situ liquid analysis: Application to domestic waste water and industrial liquid effluents analysis

A prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) set-up with an Am-Be source developed for in situ analysis of liquid samples is described. The linearity of its response was tested for chlorine and cadmium dissolved in water. Prompt gamma efficiency of the system has been determined experimentally using prompt gamma of chlorine dissolved in water and detection limits for different elements have been derived for domestic waste water. A methodology to analyze any kind of liquid is then proposed. This methodology consists mainly on using standards with water as bulk or in the case of absolute method, to use gamma efficiency determined with prompt gammas emitted by chlorine dissolved in water. To take into account the thermal neutron flux variations inside the samples, flux monitoring was carried out using a He-3 neutron detector placed at the external sample container surface. Finally, to correct for the differences in gamma attenuation, average gamma attenuations factors were calculated using MCNP5 code. This method was then checked successfully by determining cadmium in industrial phosphoric acid and our result was in good agreement with that obtained with inductively coupled plasma (ICP) method.     

MC法模拟核部件自发裂变中子活化瞬发γ能谱

在分析中子活化瞬发γ产生机理及瞬发γ射线强度计算方法基础上,提出了应用MCNP程序计算模拟核部件自发裂变中子活化放出瞬发γ能谱的直接模拟与分步模拟方法,对两种方法的计算结果及特点进行了比较分析。计算了模拟核部件核材料自发衰变产生的γ能谱,并与瞬发γ能谱进行了比较分析。本文结果可为核部件认证技术研究提供参考。     

Basic consideration of a nuclear power monitoring system using neutron-induced prompt gamma rays

ABSTRACT

Monitoring only neutron flux in a nuclear reactor core has an advantage of offering reactor power monitoring accuracy. We started the development of a new nuclear instrumentation based on the measurement of prompt gamma rays emitted from metals placed at the neutron flux monitoring positions. The thermal neutron flux at the position of each placed metal piece can be monitored by measuring the prompt gamma rays as the count rate of each energy. The gamma-ray energy range was limited from 6 to 10 MeV to mitigate the interference of environmental gamma rays. Four metals, Ti, V, Ni, and Cu, were chosen as candidates in consideration of their neutron emission rates and self-absorption. In an experiment with a high-purity germanium semiconductor detector, we considered the identification of individual peak energies in an assumed situation where prompt gamma rays were emitted from the four different metals at the same time. Energy resolutions of the peak with the largest energy gap from the nearest energy peak of the other candidate metals were smaller than the gap. Thus, we confirmed that at least one peak for each candidate metal was able to be separated from the peaks derived from other candidate metals.     

MC simulation of thermal neutron flux of large samples irradiated by 14 MeV neutrons

The response of a 14 MeV neutron-based prompt gamma neutron activation analysis (PGNAA) system, i.e.the prompt gamma-rays count rate and the average thermal neutron flux, is studied with a large concrete sample and with a homogeneous large sample, which is made of polyethylene and metal with various concentrations of hydrogen and cadmium using the MCNP-5 (Monte Carlo N-Particle) code. The average thermal neutron flux is determined by the analysis of the prompt gamma-rays using the thermal neutron activation of hydrogen in the sample, and the thermal and fast neutron activation of carbon graphite irradiation chamber of the PGNAA-system. Our results demonstrated that the graphite irradiation chamber of the PGNAA-system fairly operates, and is useful to estimate the average thermal neutron flux of large samples with various compositions irradiated by 14 MeV neutrons.     

Radiation distribution sensing with normal optical fiber

The purpose of this study is to develop a radiation distribution monitor using a normal plastic optical fiber. The monitor has a long operating length and can obtain continuous radiation distributions. A principle of the position sensing is based on a time-of-flight technique. The monitor is sensitive to beta rays or charged particles, gamma rays, and fast neutrons. The spatial resolutions for beta-rays ( ⁹⁰Sr-⁹⁰Y), gamma-rays (¹³⁷Cs), and D-T neutrons are 30, 37, and 13 cm, respectively. The detection efficiencies for the beta-rays, gamma-rays, and D-T neutrons are 0.11%, 1.6×10 ^-5% and 1.2×10^-4%, respectively. The effective attenuation length of the detection efficiency is 18 m. In this paper, we describe the basic characteristics of this monitor     

瞬发伽玛活化分析中3种探测器性能比较

利用中国先进研究堆(CARR)热中子束流孔道首次开展了瞬发伽玛中子活化分析(PGNAA)实验。对NH4Cl、Si、Fe、Al等4种样品进行了辐照,同时采用HPGe、LaBr_3、BGO 3种探测器对样品进行实时测量,在瞬发伽玛射线的能量为0.002~10 MeV范围内研究了3种探测器在宽能区的能量线性、能量分辨率、探测效率等性能。     

利用瞬发γ射线法测量209Bi的中子非弹性散射截面

在铅铋快堆、空间堆等先进反应堆中,铋作为冷却剂和慢化剂材料被大量使用,其中子核反应截面,尤其是中子非弹性散射截面的准确性对这些核装置的安全性和经济性等具有重要的影响。基于中国原子能科学研究院HI 13串列加速器瞬发γ射线实验平台,通过瞬发γ射线法测量了209Bi在90、105和120 MeV 3个能点的中子非弹性散射截面。在相对于中子束30°、70°、110°和150°方向放置4个Clover探测器测量中子与样品相互作用产生的γ射线。实验采用相对测量,通过测量中子与48Ti发生非弹性散射发射的9835 keV γ射线的产生截面来确定209Bi的截面。209Bi金属样品的尺寸为50 mm×4 mm,参考样品为1块50 mm×1 mm的天然钛金属样品。将实验测量结果与已发表的实验数据、ENDF/B Ⅷ.0、JEFF 33、JENDL 40、ROSFOND 2010和CENDL 31等评价库数据以及Talys 195程序默认参数的计算结果进行对比,发现趋势一致,90、105 MeV能点的测量结果与Talys 195程序的计算结果符合得更好,120 MeV能点的测量结果与ROSFOND 2010评价库数据符合得更好。     

镝活化法测量低产额脉冲中子

设计一个快中子聚乙烯慢化体，用来慢化加速器的d-T和d-D中子，利用¹⁶⁴Dy(n,γ)¹⁶⁵Dy^m在热中子区极高的反应截面，得到半衰期为75s的¹⁶⁵Dy^m，使用HPGe探测器测量¹⁶⁵Dy^m放出的γ射线。由于测得的γ射线与加速器的中子产额成一定比例，故通过这种方法可测量脉冲中子源的中子产额。     

Relation between material configuration and radiation shielding capability - application of radiation shielding characteristic functions

For the purpose of finding a principle for material configuration which an ideal radiation shielding in slab geometry should obey, radiation energy dependence of material configuration is studied. In the course of study, radiation shielding capability for each system of different material configuration is evaluated by using radiation shielding characteristic functions defined as dose rates of transmitted radiations in response to isotropic incidence of radiations to the slab shield with pulse-like narrow energy distributions.In shielding neutrons by steel and water layers, recommendable material configuration depends on energy distribution of incident neutrons; all steel layers should be located in the source side of all water layers, if incident neutron energies are above 5 MeV: either homogeneous array of steel and water layers or above mentioned material configuration is recommendable, if incident neutron energies are between 2 MeV and 5 MeV: all water layers should be located in the source side of all steel layers, if incident neutron energies are below 2 MeV or incident neutrons have energy spectrum of fission neutrons.Above recommendation can be understood well by considering both energy dependence of neutron cross sections of each material and the maximum amount of energy degradation at elastic scattering in each material.In designing a neutron shield, shielding of secondary gamma rays is important as well as neutron shielding. This importance is demonstrated for several types of actual cask walls which are composed of many material layers by using the characteristic functions of neutrons and gamma rays for cask walls.     

可控中子源中子-伽马测井仪中屏蔽结构的优化

本文设计了一种使用遗传算法调用蒙特卡罗计算软件MCNP的方案,用以优化设计中子-伽马测井仪中的屏蔽结构。以D-D聚变中子源和BGO探测器为研究对象,以最小化探测器内的辐照本底为优化目标,设计出了3种不同厚度的屏蔽结构。模拟结果表明,这些屏蔽结构具有优异的屏蔽性能,可有效地降低探测器中的辐射本底。     

Some aspects of nuclear and radiological safety of operating a spent nuclear fuel repository

A model of an irregular situation in a spent nuclear fuel repository with the introduction of excess reactivity into the system, consisting of containers with spent fuel assemblies and water, is examined. The neutron kinetics of a critical system is calculated taking account of the thermohydraulics of the system. The character of the flow of a short-time self-sustained chain reaction — “neutron burst” — is described. It is found that an excursion of the system in the range of reactivity introduction rates examined will result in heating of the system and self-quenching of the chain reaction by negative reactivity effects with respect to fuel temperature. Intense fluxes of fission neutrons and prompt gamma rays, accompanying a self-sustained chain reaction, are formed in the excursion process. A mixed neutron and gamma ray field near the system considered is investigated. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya,Vol. 104, No. 3, pp. 141–147, March, 2008.