High-precision and wide-range real-time neutron flux monitor system through multipoint linear calibration

Abstract

The neutron flux monitor (NFM) system is an important diagnostic subsystem introduced by large nuclear fusion devices such as international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER), Japan torus-60, tokamak fusion test reactor, and HL-2A. Neutron fluxes can provide real-time parameters for nuclear fusion, including neutron source intensity and fusion power. Corresponding to different nuclear reaction periods, neutron fluxes span over seven decades, thereby requiring electronic devices to operate in counting and Campbelling modes simultaneously. Therefore, it is crucial to design a real-time NFM system to encompass such a wide dynamic range. In this study, a high-precision NFM system with a wide measurement range of neutron flux is implemented using real-time multipoint linear calibration. It can automatically switch between counting and Campbelling modes with variations in the neutron flux. We established a testing platform to verify the feasibility of the NFM system, which can output the simulated neutron signal using an arbitrary waveform generator. Meanwhile, the accurate calibration interval of the Campbelling mode is defined well. Based on the above-mentioned design, the system satisfies the requirements, offering a dynamic range of 108 cps, temporal resolution of 1 ms, and maximal relative error of 4% measured at the signal-to-noise ratio of 15.8 dB. Additionally, the NFM system is verified in a field experiment involving HL-2A, and the measured neutron flux is consistent with the results.