DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : M. Vani
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : AEIE
Institution : Dr. B. R. Ambedkar GMRP,KNR
Year/sem : IV-SEM
Subject : Process Instrumentation-II
Subject code : AEI-405
Topic : Nuclear Instrumentation
Duration : 100 minutes
Sub topic : Detection of neutrons
Teaching aids : PPT, Visuals

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 Recap

In previous topic we have discussed about :

• The scintillation counter

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 Objectives

Upon completion of this topic you would be able to

know about

• Detection of neutrons

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 Detection of neutrons

• The Fig.1 shows the detection of neutrons

• S is a source of alpha particles, T is a beryllium target

placed in a chamber C

• Alpha particles from the source S hit the target

• The resulting particles are registered in a ionization

chamber D with a window W

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Diagram of Detection of neutrons

Fig.1

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 Detection of neutrons…

• A thin slab of paraffin walls placed between C and D

when desired

• When the slab was not placed very few counts were
registered in the counter

• When the slab is placed in front of the D the number of

counts is increased

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 Detection of neutrons…
• This is because of the fact that neutrons in collision with
the nuclei of the hydrogen atoms contained in the paraffin

• It give up their energy to the protons or hydrogen atoms

and these protons emitted from paraffin's are recorded

• If the slab is removed the number of counts again reduces

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 Detection of neutrons…

• This is due to the fact that neutron being uncharged

• Neutrons cannot produce ionization directly in the

chamber

• The few counts registered before introducing slab are

due to the ions ejected by neutrons from walls of the
chamber

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 Detection of neutrons…

• Do not carry any charge.

• They are difficult to detect.

• Thus an indirect method is used to detect them.

• In this method, a neutron is made to strike the atom of

uranium

• The uranium atom splits into two or more parts due to

fusion.
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 Detection of neutrons…

• This fusion releases nuclear radiations in the form of

alpha, beta, gamma rays.

• Thus by measuring the intensity of the radiations, the

intensity of neutron beam producing them may be

detected.

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Neutron Detector

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Neutron Detector Tube

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 Summary
We have discussed about

• Detection of Neutrons

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 Quiz
1. Which of the following particle do not carry any
charge
• Alpha
• Beta
• Neutron
• None

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 Quiz
1. To detect neutrons ______ atoms are used

a) Helium
b) Uranium
c) Hydrogen
d) None

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 Frequently asked questions

1. What is neutron ?

2. How can we detect neutrons ?

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Thank you

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