He-4 fast neutron detectors in nuclear security applications

This work presents studies of ⁴He fast neutron detectors for nuclear security applications. Such devices are high pressure gas scintillation detectors, sensitive to neutrons in the energy range of fission sources. First, an introduction to the scope of the intended application is given. This is followed by a description of all components relevant to the operation of the detector. The next chapter presents studies of various characteristics of the neutron detector, among them properties of its scintillation response, differences between neutron and gamma interactions and effects of the light collection process. The results of the detector characterization are used to develop neutron gamma discrimination methods. These methods are put to the test using measurements with a high gamma flux, and the results are compared to performance requirements of Radiation Portal Monitors. Background neutron measurements are presented next. Measured neutron rates are compared to values published in scientific literature. The fluctuation of the background count rate was studied, and the contribution of muons evaluated. Two applications of the detectors in the field of nuclear security are discussed in the last two chapters. The first one is a novel method to measure the plutonium mass in a container filled with Mixed Oxide Fuel. The last chapter presents the development of a Radiation Portal Monitor which, in addition to neutron and gamma counting, exploits time correlation to detect threats such as plutonium and ⁶⁰Co. (author)