Spectroscopic Dosimeter, Phase I

MSI Photogenics has combined two new technologies for neutron detection into a system that has the potential to offer enhanced neutron spectroscopy for several NASA programs. The detector utilizes lithium gadolinium borate, a new scintillator offering a number of performance improvements over existing materials, and capture-gated signal analysis a technique that identifies neutrons by a unique dual signal produced in the detector. Only neutrons produce this signal, giving the detector excellent discrimination against background and the ability to measure the energy of the neutrons. The program will determine the detection efficiency of this system for 12 neutron energies; thermal, epithermal and energies from 1-10 MeV. The detection efficiency for neutron energies between 10-150 MeV will also be investigated. An estimate of neutron dose will be developed using the ICRP factors for neutron energies and the accuracy of the dose estimate provided by the Photogenics system will be evaluated.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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