The possibility of neutron position detection using the tilted-wire position reading method

The possibility of a position-sensitive proportional counter based on the tilted-wire position reading method has been examined for thermal neutron detection. The aluminum angle plate with five lines of natural boron painted in 1 mm width and 10 mm spacing is placed inside of the counter. On the same plane including the anode wire, a pair of position reading wires is extended in both sides of the anode wire. The position reading wires are in parallel each other, but titled against the anode wire. The induced charges on the position reading wires due to the electron avalanche around the anode wire depend on the distance between the avalanche and position reading wire, so that position information can be deduced with the charge division technique. It is demonstrated that the five boron lines can be clearly observed in the two-dimensional spectrum of position vs. energy, and this kind of simple sensing-wire structure is feasible for neutron position detection. (author)