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Completed TRL 5 (started at 5, targeting 7)
Project Objective
To evaluate the neutron detection efficiency, directionality, and neutron energy sensitivity of a detector with a Gadolinium, Aluminum, Gallium Garnet (GAGG) crystal.
Project Description
Since 2021, NASA has partnered with Wichita State University (WSU) through a NASA Innovative and Advanced Concepts (NIAC) study. For this effort, hardware was designed, assembled, tested and delivered to WSU that is capable of measuring background neutrinos via a custom built GAGG detector. This hardware is currently planned to be used for space applications in 2026.
This study aims to quantify the ability of said detector to measure neutrons via simulations and laboratory tests. Simulations were conducted from 01/01/2024 through 06/01/2024 via GEANT4. After MSFC delivered the GAGG detector, laboratory tests were performed from 08/01/2024 through 12/31/2024. These involved using an Americium Beryllium (AmBe) source, with the detector covered in layers of lead, paraffin and Eljin.
Project Results and Conclusions
Preliminary lab results showed that the GAGG detector was effectively able to measure neutrons. Data analysis is being performed. The results will be published later in 2025 in a master's thesis from the Physics Department at WSU.
The results from this study can be used by NASA in future missions by means of a new and improved neutron detector. Potential space applications include neutron measurements at the International Space Station, measurements at the Moon, and potentially Mars.
For terrestrial applications, the oil and natural gas industry could directly benefit from the results of this study. Neutron sources are used by inserting intense neutron sources into test wells, but a high-resolution detector records the backsplash from the neutrons into the side walls of the test well. This backsplash of neutrons detected can provide details about the soil and its content for oil and natural gas. An improved neutron detector with an extended lower energy range would provide more details about the soil and also would allow for a large radial depth. Therefore, a GAGG detector could have two advantages here: 1) better energy resolution would allow for an improved soil analysis, and 2) because the GAGG detector has the largest scintillation light yield, it can be more sensitive to lower energy gammas that are part of the neutron interaction backsplash and further penetrate into the soil walls of the test well.
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