Wide-Range Neutron Detector for Space Nuclear Applications

A digital, wide-range, neutron detection (WRND) system in a compact, VME form factor monitors neutron activity within the core of a nuclear reactor across the reactor’s entire operating range, from 1.0 n/cm2/s up to 1010 n/cm2/s. This allows for a reduction in the complexity of space-based nuclear instrumentation systems, as a single instrument can be used instead of requiring different instrumentation for each of the operation ranges of the reactor (start-up, ramp-up, and nominal power).