Abstract: A directional-position sensing fast neutron sensor system is disclosed. The system includes one or more acoustically tensioned metastable fluid detector (ATMFD) for determining the direction of the source of incident neutron radiation. The system has been used to detect the position of a 1 Ci Pu—Be neutron radiation source. The ATMFD detector is comparable in technical performance with directional fast neutron detector-bank technologies but is significantly more economical, smaller, and has little to no interference from nonneutron background radiation. The ATMFD detector can be used to locate hidden neutron sources and has been used in blind tests to do so. Specifically an ATMFD system (with a 6×10 cm cross-sectional area) provides directional information for incoming neutron radiation from an 8 kg Pu source from a distance of 25 m with a resolution of 11.2° at a 68% confidence within 60 seconds. Position and neutron source image sensing were also demonstrated using two ATMFDs.

Abstract: A directional-position sensing fast neutron sensor system is disclosed. The system includes one or more acoustically tensioned metastable fluid detector (ATMFD) for determining the direction of the source of incident neutron radiation. The system has been used to detect the position of a 1 Ci Pu—Be neutron radiation source. The ATMFD detector is comparable in technical performance with directional fast neutron detector-bank technologies but is significantly more economical, smaller, and has little to no interference from nonneutron background radiation. The ATMFD detector can be used to locate hidden neutron sources and has been used in blind tests to do so. Specifically an ATMFD system (with a 6×10 cm cross-sectional area) provides directional information for incoming neutron radiation from an 8 kg Pu source from a distance of 25 m with a resolution of 11.2° at a 68% confidence within 60 seconds. Position and neutron source image sensing were also demonstrated using two ATMFDs.