USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Jon R Losee

Hugh D Copeland

Gary F Mastny

David Lapota

Wayne C McGinnis

Everett William Jacobs

Roger D Boss

J Charles Hicks

A solid-state thermal neutron detector comprises: a layered structure that includes; an electrically insulating substrate; a first electrode affixed to the substrate; a neutron-reactive layer affixed to and in ohmic contact with the first electrode; and a second electrode affixed to and in ohmic contact with the neutron-reactive layer; a voltage source electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes; and an electrical current detector electrically coupled in series between the layered structure and the voltage source.

Solid-state thermal neutron detector

A thermal neutron detector comprises an enclosure containing a helium-xenon gas mixture, an optical fiber, and an electrode arranged to detect ion particles. The optical fiber detects photons generated by a reaction of the gas mixture with neutrons passing through the enclosure. The reaction also generates ion particles that are detected by the electrode. A coincidence detector generates an output signal corresponding to the correlation of ion detections from the electrode with photon detections from the optical fiber, rejecting signals generated from the electric field that are not correlated with photon detections.

Thermal neutron detector

An apparatus for detection of thermal neutrons includes a volume of gas which includes .sup.3 He. A wavelength shifting optical (WSO) fiber is disposed to receive ultra-violet (UV) photons generated by reactions between neutrons and .sup.3 He. UV photons are absorbed within the WSO fiber to produce longer wavelength fluorescence generated photons that propagate within the WSO fiber. A photodetector is disposed to receive fluorescence generated photons from at least one end of the optical fiber and provide an output signal corresponding to neutron detection.

Detection of thermal neutrons through the use of internal wavelength

A test chamber is disclosed for determining the bioluminescent signatures of planktonic organisms in which a light tight chamber has at least one light port, and preferably two light ports, where photomultiplier tubes are connected to the test chamber for detecting and measuring the flash kinetics of marine organisms. A door is pivotally mounted on the light tight chamber for permitting insertion and withdrawal of an organism sample holder. A vacuum tube is connected to the test chamber and to the sample holder via a passageway such that the organism can be excited by means of drawing off the fluid containing the organism. The bioluminescent characteristics of the organisms in the sample holder can then be detected and measured by means of the photomultiplier tubes. Preferably, a third port is provided on the test chamber where, alternatively, a third multiplier tube may be connected, or one of the two photomultiplier tubes can be connected with a different orientation with respect to the sample holder, or a light tight diaphragm may be placed across the third light port such that chemical irritants may be injected into the sample holder by means of a syringe through the light tight diaphragm without permitting the entry of light into the test chamber. The outputs of the photomultiplier tubes may be used to measure the instantaneous intensity of the bioluminescent flashes of the organisms. The collected data may be recorded to help identify which organisms are responsible for the measured bioluminescence in the surface waters of the worlds oceans.

System for measuring bioluminescence flash kinetics

A flywheel apparatus which includes a pair of radially extending diametrily opposed spokes with a rim mounted thereon. The rim is elliptical with the major axis being substantially coextensive with the longitudinal axis of the spokes. The difference in length between the major and minor axes is such that when the flywheel is at full speed the rim is substantially circular. With this arrangement contact and low stress are maintained between the rim and the spokes when the flywheel apparatus is at full speed.

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Jon R Losee