Self Powered Neutron Detector (SPND) is a neutron detector used in nuclear fission reactors. It is a compact device extensively used worldwide for mapping of

neutron flux The neutron flux is a scalar quantity used in nuclear physics and nuclear reactor physics. It is the total distance travelled by all free neutrons per unit time and volume. Equivalently, it can be defined as the number of neutrons travelling ...

, helping the reactor-operators in maintaining the

neutron economy Neutron economy is defined as the ratio of excess neutron production divided by the rate of fission. The numbers are a weighted average based primarily on the energies of the neutrons. Nuclear fission is a process in which the nuclei of atoms a ...

. It gives a

direct current Direct current (DC) is one-directional electric current, flow of electric charge. An electrochemical cell is a prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor (material), conductor such as a wire, but can also flow throug ...

signal proportional to the incident flux of neutrons, due to production of negative

beta particles A beta particle, also called beta ray or beta radiation (symbol β), is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted by the radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus, known as beta decay. There are two forms of beta decay, β− decay and � ...

or Compton electrons in the heart of the device.

References

Nuclear reactors {{nuclear-tech-stub