PartTec to Market SNS-Developed Neutron Detector System

The Shifting Scintillator Neutron Detector system was developed for DOE’s Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope Reactor complex, the world’s most advanced neutron science facility.

This system can determine the time and position of the neutron captured, enabling extremely accurate neutron time of flight measurements. It has large-area detector coverage, extremely low power requirements and digital communication capability, all factors that made it attractive to PartTec.

“PartTec has supported the work of the Spallation Neutron Source’s detector team for nearly five years with engineering, component manufacturing and management expertise,” said Herschel Workman, chief executive officer of PartTec. “The detector is proving itself in the POWGEN and VULCAN instruments at the SNS.”

Commercial interest in the product ranges from use at other neutron science facilities to security applications such as monitoring land, air and sea shipping for the presence of fissionable material.

Recently, because of constraints on helium-3 supply and the projected increasing demand, PartTec responded by re-engineering this detector system for use as an alternative to existing helium-3 detectors.

ORNL researchers developed the detector system to provide the very large detector areas (up to 45 square meters in the SNS POWGEN instrument) and high rates required by the SNS. Advances were made in neutron capturing scintillator, light collecting optics and data collection electronics. The data collection electronics uses a new and unique method of determining the neutron event location by encoding a bit pattern produced by single photons.

“The system is modular so that very large detector arrays can be built,” said Ron Cooper, a member of the development team at the SNS. “You can have greater than 50 square meters of detector coverage. It has high rate capability, good position resolution and features modern distributed personal computer-based electronics.”

This system, developed by Richard Riedel, Lloyd Clonts and Jason Hodges of ORNL's Neutron Scattering Science Division, and Cooper, Lowell Crow, John Richards and Bruce Hannan of ORNL’s Neutron Facilities Development Division, is considered to be the leading candidate to replace helium-3 detectors at neutron scattering facilities throughout the world.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. PartTec (www.parttec.com), which provides scientific research and advanced manufacturing services, has administrative and scientific offices in Bloomington, Ind., and engineering, design and manufacturing facilities in Linton, Ind.