³He neutron detector with Android smartphone integration

Abstract

We have developed a homemade neutron flux detection module with ³He tube hot-swap capability and control-rich Android software interface. Real-time data analysis is done by a smartphone with Android application interfaced with the detector via a USB cable. This setup can be used as a neutron and gamma ray background detector or as a compact, mobile ³He tubes calibration tool making it a cheap and easy-to-use alternative for the stationary setups. A fast neutron detection algorithm was implemented as a set of Java scripts and tested for real-time signal analysis. The modular structure of the device allows easy deployment and customization with further software development and regular upgrades. The current prototype was tested at the Nuclear Physics Research Institute under different neutron flux intensity conditions from the VVR-K water-cooled research reactor. Its simplicity and significantly lower cost, compared with conventional detector equipment, make it valuable for easy repetitive tasks with medium requirements for precision and neutron flux intensities.