Wearable detector device utilizing microstructured semiconductor neutron detector technology

Abstract

A Wearable Detector Device (WDD) has been outfitted with Microstructured Semiconductor Neutron Detectors (MSNDs) to aid in the search and localization of special nuclear materials (SNMs). Many SNMs decay by spontaneous fission and emit free neutrons. The WDD detects these neutrons and stores interaction rate information to alert the operator to the presence of special nuclear material. The WDD is composed of 16 Modular Neutron Detectors (MNDs), each populated with a 4 × 6 array of 1-cm2 active area, 500-μm thick MSNDs. The individual MSNDs each have an intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiency of approximately 30%. Each MND connects to a communications dongle, and the MND and dongle were encased in a 3-in. wide by 5-in. tall by 0.6-in. thick high-density polyethylene moderator (HDPE) case. The 16 MNDs, connected to Controller Area Network dongles, communicate with a master control board, which also contains the battery bank and power conditioning electronics. The operational lifetime of the battery-powered WDD is greater than 12 h per single charge. The WDD, mounted on an ANSI 42.53 phantom, reported 8.12 ± 0.07 cps and 12.93 ± 0.07 cps for a bare and moderated 21.9-ng 252Cf source at a distance of 1 m, respectively. The background count rate was 0.446 ± 0.002 cps. The gamma-ray rejection ratio of the WDD for 137Cs measured at a dose rate of 10 mR/h was 1.8 × 10−8.