Neutron

Neutron Detection

The common means of detecting a charged particle by looking for a track of ionization does not work for neutrons directly. Neutrons that elastically scatter of another atom can create an ionization track that is detectable, but the experiments are not as simple to carry out and other means for detecting neutrons, consisting of allowing them to interact with atomic nuclei, are more commonly used.

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A common method for detecting neutrons involves converting the energy released from such reactions into electrical signals. The nuclides 3He, 6Li, 10B, 233U, 235U, 237Np and 239Pu are useful for this purpose. A good discussion on neutron detection is found in chapter 14 of the book Radiation Detection and Measurement by Glenn F. Knoll (John Wiley & Sons, 1979).

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