CMFX SSNTD Neutronics Simulations and Tomographic Reconstruction

CR-39 has been studied extensively in the past for use as a solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) for measuring incident particle fluence and energy. Incident neutrons elastically scatter off of hydrogen atoms resulting in an (n,p) reaction. This results in recoil-proton damage tracks that can be etched using a caustic chemical solution, allowing for track identification using optical microscopy. CR-39 plates have been used as SSNTDs for detecting DD-fusion born neutrons from the Centrifugal Mirror Fusion Experiment (CMFX). OpenMC simulations of CR-39 exposed to a CMFX-like neutron source have been performed and initial results are presented. Sheets of lead placed in front of CR39 for neutron multiplication have been simulated. Tomographic reconstruction of both simulated and actual CR-39 SSNTD data is planned. Determination of CMFX neutron generation as a function of voltage using He-3 and liquid scintillator counters is also presented.

Work supported by ARPA-E Grant No. DE-AR0001270