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Cosmic Coincidences: Investigations for Neutron Background Suppression

Published

Author(s)

Craig Heimbach

Abstract

Two experimental investigations were made in order to reduce background counts in neutron detectors. Each investigation relied upon the fact that neutron background is largely due to cosmic ray interactions with the air and ground. The first attempt was to look at neutron arrival times. Neutron events close in time were taken to have been of a common origin due to cosmic rays. The second investigation was similar, but based on coincident neutron/muon events. The investigations showed only a small effect, not practical for the suppression of neutron background.
Citation
Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -
Volume
112 No. 2

Keywords

background, coincidence, cosmic ray, muon, neutron, special nuclear material

Citation

Heimbach, C. (2007), Cosmic Coincidences: Investigations for Neutron Background Suppression, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed April 20, 2024)
Created April 1, 2007, Updated February 17, 2017