2. Neutron measurements

Neutrons are emitted by the decay of Special Nuclear Materials (SNM) and transuranic elements. Neutron measurement is the process of counting the neutrons emitted in nuclear fission. It is normally used to quantify uranium and plutonium. It is a sensitive technique that can be used to measure large or small quantities. The neutron measurement process can be passive or active. In PASSIVE measurement neutron emissions from the sample are measured by the detector and counting system. In ACTIVEmeasurement the sample is interrogated with neutrons from a neutron source or a neutron generator. The neutrons emitted from this induced fission are measured by the detector and counting system. ANTECH neutron counting electronics record the three different rates of neutron emission.

  1. Singles: the total neutron count rate arising from a sample (neutron totals counting)
  2. Pairs: the rate of emission of two neutrons in coincidence (neutron coincidence counting)
  3. Triples: the rate of emission of three neutrons in coincidence (neutron multiplicity counting)

ANTECH neutron instruments employ neutron detectors including fission chambers, boron proportional counters and helium-3 (He3) detectors.