Active Neutron Spectrometry with Superheated Drop (Bubble) Detectors

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Abstract
A new approach to neutron spectrometry has been developed in a joint project by DCMN Pisa and PTB Braunschweig. The system relies on the use of superheated drop (bubble) detectors and the thermodynamic control of their detection thresholds. This is the result of investigations into the physics of these detectors combined with extensive experimental work on their response to neutrons. These studies indicate that the higher the degree of superheat of a detector, the lower the minimum energy that secondary charged particles, and therefore primary neutrons, must impart to the droplets in order to nucleate their evaporation. Therefore, by controlling the temperature of the detectors, accurately defined detection thresholds, virtually and desired ones, can be generated in the 0.01-10 MeV neutron energy range. An active prototype instrument has been developed: bubbles are counted acoustically and temperature regulation is achieved by means of thin heating strips. Tests with reference neutron spectra show that the system is suitable for few-channel spectrometry and may be useful for radiation protection dosimetry. Appropriate unfolding algorithms are currently investigated, to be ultimately implemented in an automatic device.

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