Fission-couple neutron sensor

This patent describes a microtechnology apparatus for measuring the neutron flux level in a flux field having at least gamma rays and neutrons, comprising: (a) at least a first thermocouple, formed on a substrate, covered at least in part by a fissile material capable of being heated by gamma ray and neutron capture, which in turn heats the first thermocouple to cause it to generate a first signal, which first thermocouple thereby functions as a hot junction; (b) at least a second thermocouple, formed on the substrate, covered at least in part by a non-fissile material capable of being heated by gamma ray capture, which in turn heats the second thermocouple to cause it to generate a second signal, which second thermocouple thereby functions as a cold junction; and (c) means for electrically connecting the first and second thermocouples to each other, and to an electrical system which is capable of determining the neutron flux within the flux field from the first and second signals