Neutron coincidence detectors employing heterogeneous materials

A neutron detector is described comprising: (a) a first scintillating material producing a first electromagnetic radiation pulse upon interaction with each of one or more incident neutrons; (b) a second scintillating material producing a second electromagnetic radiation pulse upon interaction with each of said one or more incident neutrons, said second scintillating material producing, with each interaction, said second electromagnetic pulse of a distinct energy corresponding to neutron capture events within said second scintillating material; (c) said second scintillating material optically separated from said first scintillating material so that electromagnetic radiation pulses generated in one of said scintillating materials are not transmitted to the other of said first and second scintillating materials; (d) a first detector device positioned to receive at least said first electromagnetic radiation pulse and generating a first electrical signal corresponding thereto; (e) a second detector device positioned to receive at least said second electromagnetic radiation pulse and generating a second electrical signal corresponding thereto; (f) an electronic circuit responsive to a coincidence detection of said first and second electrical signals, said electronic circuit storing information for determining at least one of the energy or number of said incident neutrons corresponding to said coincidence detection