Ascertaining directional information from incident nuclear radiation in the acoustically tensioned metastable fluid detector system
Abstract
Unprecedented capabilities for the detection of nuclear particles are presented by tensioned metastable fluid states which can be attained via tailored resonant acoustic systems such as the acoustic tensioned metastable fluid detection (ATMFD) system. ATMFD systems are under development by our group at Purdue University. Radiation detection in ATMFD systems is based on the principle that incident nuclear particles interact with the dynamically tensioned fluid wherein the intermolecular bonds are sufficiently weakened such that even fundamental particles can be detected over eight orders of magnitude in energy with intrinsic efficiencies far above conventional detection systems. Experimentation was performed to prove that these detection events form preferentially in the direction of incoming radiation, therefore, enabling the capability to ascertain information on directionality of incoming radiation—an unprecedented development in the field of radiation detection. This study presents the development of directional capabilities of the ATMFD system by utilizing enhanced signal processing-cum- signal analysis, refined computational algorithms, and on demand enlargement of the detector sensitive volume. Advances in the development of the directional capabilities of the ATMFD system were accomplished utilizing a combination of experimentation and theoretical modeling. Modeling methodologies include Monte-Carlo based nuclear particle transport using MCNP5 and complex multi-physics based assessments accounting for acoustic, structural, and electromagnetic coupling of the ATMFD system via COMSOL’s Multi-physics simulation platform. Benchmarking and qualification studies have been conducted with special nuclear material (SNM)(Pu-based neutron-gamma sources). These results show that the ATMFD system, in its current configuration, is capable of locating the direction of a hidden radioactive source to within 30° with ~100% confidence.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Revankar, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Nuclear engineering
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