Abstract: A system for measuring a thermal neutron emission from a neutron source is provided. The system employs a detector utilizing a plurality of doped pBN layers, wherein the doped pBN layers are doped with at least one dopant across an a-b plane of the layers for an electrical resistivity of 1014 ohm-cm or less.

Abstract: A pBN neutron detector and method of forming a pBN neutron detector with the neutron detector formed by depositing multiple layers of pBN having a crystalline lattice structure with its crystallographic ‘c plane’ predominantly parallel to the deposited layers. The neutron detector forms a geometry having two opposite sides aligned parallel to the ‘ab planes’ of the structure and has a thickness of between one micron and one mm between the opposite sides. Metallized contacts are applied to the opposite sides and the detector is oriented relative to a source of neutrons such that the neutrons pass through the volume of the detector and cause electrons to flow in response to alpha particles generated from the interaction of neutrons with the Boron-10 isotope present in pBN.

Abstract: A pBN neutron detector and method of forming a pBN neutron detector with the neutron detector formed by depositing multiple layers of pBN having a crystalline lattice structure with its crystallographic ‘c plane’ predominantly parallel to the deposited layers. The neutron detector forms a geometry having two opposite sides aligned parallel to the ‘ab planes’ of the structure and has a thickness of between one micron and one mm between the opposite sides. Metallized contacts are applied to the opposite sides and the detector is oriented relative to a source of neutrons such that the neutrons pass through the volume of the detector and cause electrons to flow in response to alpha particles generated from the interaction of neutrons with the Boron-10 isotope present in pBN.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention at least two different grades of HOPG material with different d-spacings are combined to form a composite HOPG monochromator with increased spacing spread (&Dgr;d/d) defined by the combination of the two HOPG materials with each HOPG material oriented relative to one another so that their layer planes are parallel. The increased &Dgr;d/d should yield higher neutron beam intensities in certain types of backscattering instruments.

Abstract: A coated article of a stoichiometric coating composition of pyrolytic PB(Si)N on low thermal expansion carbon, graphite or ceramic materials and process of forming the coated article. The process involves introducing reactant vapors, under appropriate deposition conditions, within a heated furnace chamber containing the article to be coated. The reactant vapors are composed of ammonia, a gaseous source of boron and silicon and a diluent gas and are fed at a gas flow rate such that the combined flow rate of boron and silicon is less than the flow rate of ammonia.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for shifting the mosaic spread of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite ("HOPG") into a preselected narrow range. The method involves selecting HOPG samples having a mosaic spread which lies below a desired mosaic spread range and cold working the selected samples to form a textured surface sufficent to shift the mosaic spread of the samples into the desired mosaic spread range. The textured surface is preferably imprinted by pressing the samples between metal dies with at least one of the dies having a knurled surface.

Abstract: Coke intended for use in graphitized articles such as graphite electrodes is thermally desulfurized and made more ordered by heating in the absence of air at a temperature between about 1600.degree. C and 2200.degree. C for a period of at least one hour before the particles are mixed with binder. Coke processed in this manner yields graphite electrodes of superior flexural strength and having lower coefficients of thermal expansion.