Neutron Detection Research at BYU

Neutron detectors are used in national security applications to detect potential radioactive materials. Since there is a shortage of Helium-3, a typical neutron detection material, BYU and associates have been pursuing technologies that may serve as an alternative to Helium-3 detectors. US Homeland Security requires that a replacement for Helium-3 detectors must have low gamma sensitivity and high neutron detection efficiency. Different techniques of neutron-gamma discrimination have be developed and tested at BYU. Presented will be an overview of Cadmium capture-gated neutron detection and Lithium-6 broken glass modulation techniques.