Prospects for thermal neutron detection and imaging with the GammaTracker handheld radioisotope identifier

We present measured data on the neutron detection response of the GammaTracker handheld radioisotope identifier. Two neutron detection modes are discussed: measuring absorption gamma rays from the cadmium present in the Cd-Zn- Te spectrometers, and measuring the absorption gamma rays from moderator material present in the environment. In both cases, the capture gamma rays can be imaged to help locate a shielded neutron source. In this work, we discuss the total neutron detection efficiency of the GammaTracker instrument, and we present measured images of shielded neutron sources. Prospects for gamma-ray rejection are discussed.

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