Optimization and design of a detection system based on transmission tomography with fast neutrons

Abstract: This thesis is part of a project focusedon investigating the possibility ofmeasuring void distributions usingtransmission tomography with fastneutrons. The measurements are plannedto be conducted at thermal hydraulictest loops. The project, called STUNT,is carried out at Uppsala University atthe division for applied nuclearphysics.The purpose of this work was to designand optimize a detection system for thedetection of fast neutrons in the abovementioned environment. For this purpose,detector elements consisting of theplastic scintillator material EJ208 wasmodeled using the particle transportcode MCNPX.Both plate shaped elements and fibers ofdifferent dimensions where tested forperformance.Through a comparison utilizing severalfigures of merit and MATLAB, the plateshape was selected with an element widthof 2.6 mm. During the optimizationprocess a possible detector design with73 detector plates was chosen. At anenergy threshold of 11 MeV the followingdesign parameters were found; adetection efficiency of 3.0 %, a signalto background ratio of 15, a totalmeasurement time of 3600 s and a pixelresolution of 1.4 mm.A point spread function was produced andtwo projection tests where conductedusing a water filled steel cylinder asobject.