Robert I Vest

US Patent:

20120104269, May 3, 2012

Filed:

Oct 27, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/282571

Inventors:

CHARLES W. CLARK - WHEATON MD, US
PATRICK P. HUGHES - BOWIE MD, US
MICHAEL ALAN COPLAN - CHEVY CHASE MD, US
ALAN KEITH THOMPSON - RIVERDALE MD, US
ROBERT E. VEST - WASHINGTON DC, US

International Classification:

H01J 47/12

US Classification:

250375

Abstract:

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for use in highly sensitive and efficient neutron detection, that includes using trigger reactions to initiate far-ultraviolet (FUV) optical emissions. In some embodiments of the present invention, a method for the detection of slow neutrons includes absorption of a slow neutron with a high neutron capture-cross-section nucleus, decay of the compound nucleus into energetic particles, creation of excimers from the energetic particles reacting with a background gas to form excimers, radiative decay of excimers resulting in emission of FUV radiation, and detection of the FUV radiation using an optical detector.