We present detailed characterization of laser-driven fusion and neutron production(-10^(5)/second) using 8 mJ, 40 fs laser pulses on a thin(<1 μm) D_2O liquid sheet employing a measurement suite. At relativistic i...We present detailed characterization of laser-driven fusion and neutron production(-10^(5)/second) using 8 mJ, 40 fs laser pulses on a thin(<1 μm) D_2O liquid sheet employing a measurement suite. At relativistic intensity(~ 5 × 10^(18)W/cm^(2))and high repetition rate(1 kHz), the system produces deuterium±deuterium(D-D) fusion, allowing for consistent neutron generation. Evidence of D-D fusion neutron production is verified by a measurement suite with three independent detection systems: an EJ-309 organic scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination, a ~3He proportional counter and a set of 36 bubble detectors. Time-of-flight analysis of the scintillator data shows the energy of the produced neutrons to be consistent with 2.45 MeV. Particle-in-cell simulations using the WarpX code support significant neutron production from D-D fusion events in the laser±target interaction region. This high-repetition-rate laser-driven neutron source could provide a low-cost, on-demand test bed for radiation hardening and imaging applications.展开更多
Semiconductor-based neutron-detectors are characterized by small size, high energy-resolution, good spatial resolution, and stable response(at the depletion voltage). Consequently, these neutron-detectors are importan...Semiconductor-based neutron-detectors are characterized by small size, high energy-resolution, good spatial resolution, and stable response(at the depletion voltage). Consequently, these neutron-detectors are important for the fields of nuclear proliferation prevention, oil exploration, monitoring neutron-scattering experiments, cancer treatments, and space radiation effect research. However, there are some well-known problems for conventional silicon-based neutron detectors: low neutron-detection efficiency and limited resistance to radiation. Therefore, critical improvements are needed to enable sufficiently effective and practical neutron detection. To address these problems, direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide bandgap semiconductor-based detectors have been developed and studied intensely during the past years. Significant progress with respect to detection efficiency, radiation resistance, and room temperature operation was achieved. This paper reviews the latest research highlights, remaining challenges, and emerging technologies of direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide-bandgap semiconductor neutron detectors. This compact review serves as a reference for researchers interested in the design and development of improved neutron detectors in the future.展开更多
The unfolding of neutron spectra from the pulse height distribution measured by a BC501A scintillation detector is accomplished by the application of artificial neural networks (ANN). A simple linear neural network wi...The unfolding of neutron spectra from the pulse height distribution measured by a BC501A scintillation detector is accomplished by the application of artificial neural networks (ANN). A simple linear neural network without biases and hidden layers is adopted. A set of monoenergetic detector response functions in the energy range from 0.25 MeV to 16 MeV with an energy interval of 0.25 MeV are generated by the Monte Carlo code O5S in the training phase of the unfolding process. The capability of ANN was demonstrated successfully using the Monte Carlo data itself and experimental data obtained from the Am-Be neutron source and D-T neutron source.展开更多
The small-angle neutron scattering(SANS)instrument,one of the first three instruments of the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS),is designed to probe the microscopic and mesoscopic structures of materials in the sca...The small-angle neutron scattering(SANS)instrument,one of the first three instruments of the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS),is designed to probe the microscopic and mesoscopic structures of materials in the scale range 1–100 nm.A large-area ^(3)He tube array detector has been constructed and operates at the CSNS SANS instrument since August 2018.It consists of 120 linear position-sensitive detector tubes,each 1 m in length and 8 mm in diameter,and filled with ^(3)He gas at 20 bar to obtain a high detection efficiency.The ^(3)He tubes were divided into ten modules,providing an overall area of 1000 mm×1020 mm with a high count rate capability.Because each tube is installed independently,the detector can be quickly repaired in situ by replacing damaged tubes.To reduce air scattering,the SANS detector must operate in a vacuum environment(0.1 mbar).An all-metal sealing technique was adopted to avoid high-voltage breakdown by ensuring a high-voltage connection and an electronic system working in an atmospheric environment.A position resolution of 7.8±0.1 mm(full width at maximum)is measured along the length of the tubes,with a high detection efficiency of 81±2% at 2A.Operating over the past four years,the detector appears to perform well and with a high stability,which supports the SANS instrument to finish approximately 200 user scientific programs.展开更多
Preliminary results of recent experiments performed within the Mather-type 112.5 J plasma focus device are presented. The ion beams from the focus device operated with deuterium filling at 1 mbar were registered using...Preliminary results of recent experiments performed within the Mather-type 112.5 J plasma focus device are presented. The ion beams from the focus device operated with deuterium filling at 1 mbar were registered using CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors （SSNTD） and a Faraday cup detector for time-resolved measurements. The time-resolved neutron emission from the focus region measurements was detected with a photomultiplier tube （IP-28） optically coupled with a plastic scintillator NE 102.展开更多
This paper presents the neutron energy spectrum in the central position of a neutron flux trap assembled in the core center of the research nuclear reactor IPEN/MB-01, obtained by an unfolding method. To this end, we ...This paper presents the neutron energy spectrum in the central position of a neutron flux trap assembled in the core center of the research nuclear reactor IPEN/MB-01, obtained by an unfolding method. To this end, we have used several different types of activation foils （Au, Sc, Ti, Ni, and plates） which have been irradiated in the central position of the reactor core （setting number 203） at a reactor power level （64.57±2.91 watts）. The activation foils were counted by solid-state detector HPGe （high pure germanium detector） （gamma spectrometry）. The experimental data of nuclear reaction rates （saturated activity per target nucleus） and a neutron spectrum estimated by a reactor physics computer code are the main input data to get the most suitable neutron spectrum in the irradiation position obtained through SANDBP （spectrum analysis neutron detection code-version Budapest University） code： a neutron spectra unfolding code that uses an iterative adjustment method. the integral neutron flux, （2.41 ± 0.01） × 10^9 n·cm^-2·s^-1 for the thermal The adjustment resulted in （3.85 ± 0.14） × 10^9 n·cm^-2·s^-1 for neutron flux, （1.09 ±0.02） × 10^9n·cm^-2·s^-1 for intermediate neutron flux and （3.41 ± 0.02） × 10^8 n·cm^-2·s^-1 for the fast neutrons flux. These results can be used to verify and validate the nuclear reactor codes and its associated nuclear data libraries, besides, show how much effective it can be that the use of a neutron flux trap in the nuclear reactor core to increase the thermal neutron flux without increase the operation reactor power level. The thermal neutral flux increased 4.04 ± 0.21 times compared with the standard configuration of the reactor core.展开更多
Cosmic rays(CR)play an important role in space weather-related studies.Their temporal variability,both of a quasi-periodic character as well as an irregular one,has been studied from ground-based direct measurements,a...Cosmic rays(CR)play an important role in space weather-related studies.Their temporal variability,both of a quasi-periodic character as well as an irregular one,has been studied from ground-based direct measurements,as well as from cosmogenic nuclides,over a long time.We attempt to describe the current knowledge of selected quasi-periodicities in CR flux in the energy range above the atmospheric threshold,from direct measurements.The power spectrum density(PSD)of the CR time series as measured by neutron monitors(NMs)and by muon detectors has a rather complicated character.Along with the shape(slope)of the PSD,knowledge of the contribution of quasi-periodic variations(q-per)to the CR signal is of importance for the modulation,as well as for checking the links of CR to space weather,and/or to space climate effects.The rotation of the Earth and solar rotation cause two types of mechanisms behind the certain q-per observed in secondary CR on the Earth’s surface.Solar activity and solar magnetic field cyclicities contribute to the q-per signals in CR if studied over a longer time.The complexity of the spatial structure of the interplanetary magnetic field(IMF)and its evolution within the heliosphere,in addition to the changes in the geomagnetic field,cause variability in contributions of the q-per in CR.Wavelet spectra are useful tools for checking the fine structure of q-per and their temporal behaviour.Over a long time NMs and muon telescopes provide information about q-per in CR.展开更多
基金supported by Air Force Office of Scientific Research(AFOSR)Award number 23AFCOR004(PM:Dr.Andrew B.Stickrath)partially supported by DTRANSREC Award number HDTRA-1343332。
文摘We present detailed characterization of laser-driven fusion and neutron production(-10^(5)/second) using 8 mJ, 40 fs laser pulses on a thin(<1 μm) D_2O liquid sheet employing a measurement suite. At relativistic intensity(~ 5 × 10^(18)W/cm^(2))and high repetition rate(1 kHz), the system produces deuterium±deuterium(D-D) fusion, allowing for consistent neutron generation. Evidence of D-D fusion neutron production is verified by a measurement suite with three independent detection systems: an EJ-309 organic scintillator with pulse-shape discrimination, a ~3He proportional counter and a set of 36 bubble detectors. Time-of-flight analysis of the scintillator data shows the energy of the produced neutrons to be consistent with 2.45 MeV. Particle-in-cell simulations using the WarpX code support significant neutron production from D-D fusion events in the laser±target interaction region. This high-repetition-rate laser-driven neutron source could provide a low-cost, on-demand test bed for radiation hardening and imaging applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11922507, and 12050005)Major State Basic Research Development Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFB3201000)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No.2021NTST14)。
文摘Semiconductor-based neutron-detectors are characterized by small size, high energy-resolution, good spatial resolution, and stable response(at the depletion voltage). Consequently, these neutron-detectors are important for the fields of nuclear proliferation prevention, oil exploration, monitoring neutron-scattering experiments, cancer treatments, and space radiation effect research. However, there are some well-known problems for conventional silicon-based neutron detectors: low neutron-detection efficiency and limited resistance to radiation. Therefore, critical improvements are needed to enable sufficiently effective and practical neutron detection. To address these problems, direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide bandgap semiconductor-based detectors have been developed and studied intensely during the past years. Significant progress with respect to detection efficiency, radiation resistance, and room temperature operation was achieved. This paper reviews the latest research highlights, remaining challenges, and emerging technologies of direct-conversion neutron detectors as well as wide-bandgap semiconductor neutron detectors. This compact review serves as a reference for researchers interested in the design and development of improved neutron detectors in the future.
基金supported by the National Magnetic Confinement Fusion Science Program (Grant No. 2010GB111002)
文摘The unfolding of neutron spectra from the pulse height distribution measured by a BC501A scintillation detector is accomplished by the application of artificial neural networks (ANN). A simple linear neural network without biases and hidden layers is adopted. A set of monoenergetic detector response functions in the energy range from 0.25 MeV to 16 MeV with an energy interval of 0.25 MeV are generated by the Monte Carlo code O5S in the training phase of the unfolding process. The capability of ANN was demonstrated successfully using the Monte Carlo data itself and experimental data obtained from the Am-Be neutron source and D-T neutron source.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2021YFA1600703)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.12175254)+2 种基金the Youth Innovation Promotion Association CASthe China Spallation Neutron Source Projectthe Innovative Projects of the IHEP(No.E15459U210).
文摘The small-angle neutron scattering(SANS)instrument,one of the first three instruments of the China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS),is designed to probe the microscopic and mesoscopic structures of materials in the scale range 1–100 nm.A large-area ^(3)He tube array detector has been constructed and operates at the CSNS SANS instrument since August 2018.It consists of 120 linear position-sensitive detector tubes,each 1 m in length and 8 mm in diameter,and filled with ^(3)He gas at 20 bar to obtain a high detection efficiency.The ^(3)He tubes were divided into ten modules,providing an overall area of 1000 mm×1020 mm with a high count rate capability.Because each tube is installed independently,the detector can be quickly repaired in situ by replacing damaged tubes.To reduce air scattering,the SANS detector must operate in a vacuum environment(0.1 mbar).An all-metal sealing technique was adopted to avoid high-voltage breakdown by ensuring a high-voltage connection and an electronic system working in an atmospheric environment.A position resolution of 7.8±0.1 mm(full width at maximum)is measured along the length of the tubes,with a high detection efficiency of 81±2% at 2A.Operating over the past four years,the detector appears to perform well and with a high stability,which supports the SANS instrument to finish approximately 200 user scientific programs.
文摘Preliminary results of recent experiments performed within the Mather-type 112.5 J plasma focus device are presented. The ion beams from the focus device operated with deuterium filling at 1 mbar were registered using CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors （SSNTD） and a Faraday cup detector for time-resolved measurements. The time-resolved neutron emission from the focus region measurements was detected with a photomultiplier tube （IP-28） optically coupled with a plastic scintillator NE 102.
文摘This paper presents the neutron energy spectrum in the central position of a neutron flux trap assembled in the core center of the research nuclear reactor IPEN/MB-01, obtained by an unfolding method. To this end, we have used several different types of activation foils （Au, Sc, Ti, Ni, and plates） which have been irradiated in the central position of the reactor core （setting number 203） at a reactor power level （64.57±2.91 watts）. The activation foils were counted by solid-state detector HPGe （high pure germanium detector） （gamma spectrometry）. The experimental data of nuclear reaction rates （saturated activity per target nucleus） and a neutron spectrum estimated by a reactor physics computer code are the main input data to get the most suitable neutron spectrum in the irradiation position obtained through SANDBP （spectrum analysis neutron detection code-version Budapest University） code： a neutron spectra unfolding code that uses an iterative adjustment method. the integral neutron flux, （2.41 ± 0.01） × 10^9 n·cm^-2·s^-1 for the thermal The adjustment resulted in （3.85 ± 0.14） × 10^9 n·cm^-2·s^-1 for neutron flux, （1.09 ±0.02） × 10^9n·cm^-2·s^-1 for intermediate neutron flux and （3.41 ± 0.02） × 10^8 n·cm^-2·s^-1 for the fast neutrons flux. These results can be used to verify and validate the nuclear reactor codes and its associated nuclear data libraries, besides, show how much effective it can be that the use of a neutron flux trap in the nuclear reactor core to increase the thermal neutron flux without increase the operation reactor power level. The thermal neutral flux increased 4.04 ± 0.21 times compared with the standard configuration of the reactor core.
基金Project VEGA 2/0040/13 for supportKuwait for supporting project HS-13-01
文摘Cosmic rays(CR)play an important role in space weather-related studies.Their temporal variability,both of a quasi-periodic character as well as an irregular one,has been studied from ground-based direct measurements,as well as from cosmogenic nuclides,over a long time.We attempt to describe the current knowledge of selected quasi-periodicities in CR flux in the energy range above the atmospheric threshold,from direct measurements.The power spectrum density(PSD)of the CR time series as measured by neutron monitors(NMs)and by muon detectors has a rather complicated character.Along with the shape(slope)of the PSD,knowledge of the contribution of quasi-periodic variations(q-per)to the CR signal is of importance for the modulation,as well as for checking the links of CR to space weather,and/or to space climate effects.The rotation of the Earth and solar rotation cause two types of mechanisms behind the certain q-per observed in secondary CR on the Earth’s surface.Solar activity and solar magnetic field cyclicities contribute to the q-per signals in CR if studied over a longer time.The complexity of the spatial structure of the interplanetary magnetic field(IMF)and its evolution within the heliosphere,in addition to the changes in the geomagnetic field,cause variability in contributions of the q-per in CR.Wavelet spectra are useful tools for checking the fine structure of q-per and their temporal behaviour.Over a long time NMs and muon telescopes provide information about q-per in CR.
