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Title: Bubble masks for time-encoded imaging of fast neutrons.

Abstract

Time-encoded imaging is an approach to directional radiation detection that is being developed at SNL with a focus on fast neutron directional detection. In this technique, a time modulation of a detected neutron signal is inducedtypically, a moving mask that attenuates neutrons with a time structure that depends on the source position. An important challenge in time-encoded imaging is to develop high-resolution two-dimensional imaging capabilities; building a mechanically moving high-resolution mask presents challenges both theoretical and technical. We have investigated an alternative to mechanical masks that replaces the solid mask with a liquid such as mineral oil. Instead of fixed blocks of solid material that move in pre-defined patterns, the oil is contained in tubing structures, and carefully introduced air gapsbubblespropagate through the tubing, generating moving patterns of oil mask elements and air apertures. Compared to current moving-mask techniques, the bubble mask is simple, since mechanical motion is replaced by gravity-driven bubble propagation; it is flexible, since arbitrary bubble patterns can be generated by a software-controlled valve actuator; and it is potentially high performance, since the tubing and bubble size can be tuned for high-resolution imaging requirements. We have built and tested various single-tube mask elements, and will present resultsmore » on bubble introduction and propagation as a function of tubing size and cross-sectional shape; real-time bubble position tracking; neutron source imaging tests; and reconstruction techniques demonstrated on simple test data as well as a simulated full detector system.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1096263
Report Number(s):
SAND2013-7921
476477
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Brubaker, Erik, Brennan, James S., Marleau, Peter, Nowack, Aaron B., Steele, John T., Sweany, Melinda, and Throckmorton, Daniel J. Bubble masks for time-encoded imaging of fast neutrons.. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.2172/1096263.
Brubaker, Erik, Brennan, James S., Marleau, Peter, Nowack, Aaron B., Steele, John T., Sweany, Melinda, & Throckmorton, Daniel J. Bubble masks for time-encoded imaging of fast neutrons.. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1096263
Brubaker, Erik, Brennan, James S., Marleau, Peter, Nowack, Aaron B., Steele, John T., Sweany, Melinda, and Throckmorton, Daniel J. 2013. "Bubble masks for time-encoded imaging of fast neutrons.". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1096263. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1096263.
@article{osti_1096263,
title = {Bubble masks for time-encoded imaging of fast neutrons.},
author = {Brubaker, Erik and Brennan, James S. and Marleau, Peter and Nowack, Aaron B. and Steele, John T. and Sweany, Melinda and Throckmorton, Daniel J.},
abstractNote = {Time-encoded imaging is an approach to directional radiation detection that is being developed at SNL with a focus on fast neutron directional detection. In this technique, a time modulation of a detected neutron signal is inducedtypically, a moving mask that attenuates neutrons with a time structure that depends on the source position. An important challenge in time-encoded imaging is to develop high-resolution two-dimensional imaging capabilities; building a mechanically moving high-resolution mask presents challenges both theoretical and technical. We have investigated an alternative to mechanical masks that replaces the solid mask with a liquid such as mineral oil. Instead of fixed blocks of solid material that move in pre-defined patterns, the oil is contained in tubing structures, and carefully introduced air gapsbubblespropagate through the tubing, generating moving patterns of oil mask elements and air apertures. Compared to current moving-mask techniques, the bubble mask is simple, since mechanical motion is replaced by gravity-driven bubble propagation; it is flexible, since arbitrary bubble patterns can be generated by a software-controlled valve actuator; and it is potentially high performance, since the tubing and bubble size can be tuned for high-resolution imaging requirements. We have built and tested various single-tube mask elements, and will present results on bubble introduction and propagation as a function of tubing size and cross-sectional shape; real-time bubble position tracking; neutron source imaging tests; and reconstruction techniques demonstrated on simple test data as well as a simulated full detector system.},
doi = {10.2172/1096263},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1096263}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}