Scintillating thermal neutron detectors for cosmic ray soil moisture monitoring. (29th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stowell, P.; Fargher, S.; Steer, C.; Thompson, L.F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of instrumentation. Volume 16:Number 11(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11-29
• Subjects: Detector modelling and simulations I (interaction of radiation with matter, interaction of photons with matter, interaction of hadrons with matter, etc) -- Instrumentation for neutron sources -- Neutron detectors (cold, thermal, fast neutrons) -- Radiation monitoring; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; 502.84
• DOI: 10.1088/1748-0221/16/11/P11039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1748-0221

Abstract

Abstract: Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) is a powerful technique that allows non-invasive monitoring of soil moisture on length scales well matched for agricultural applications. One factor limiting the use of the technique within industrial agriculture settings is the high initial cost of Helium-3 or BF3 tubes typically used for ground level neutron monitoring. This paper discusses the use of Geant4 to design and optimise an alternative scintillator based epi-thermal neutron detector that may be applicable for challenges where cost is a higher driving factor than temporal resolution.