Detecting Neutrons: Simple Methods for Beginners

[apollo389]

Hello all
I am new here, please pardon me if I have posted to the wrong board.
My question should be fairly simple. I am building a fusor which I am hoping will generate neutrons from a D-D reaction. However, I have no way to detect them
I was wondering if there are simple ways to detect neutrons? I know that Craig Wallace used CDs to slow neutrons to <1 eV (thermal neutrons) and then measured them... but how? Also, if I am only working with my fusor at, say, 20KV, will there be enough energy to do the aluminum foil "trick," in which paraffin or another moderator slows neutrons down to thermal energies and then the thermal neutrons strike aluminum foil, giving off a gamma ray, giving an approximation of the number of neutrons.
It would be a plus if I had an actual count, but just a detection is more than fine.
Thank you very much for your time!
-Apollo389

 

[zmike]

Welcome to the forum, Apollo389! It's great to have you here.

To answer your question, yes there are simple ways to detect neutrons. The most common method is to use a neutron detector, which consists of a combination of a scintillator, photomultiplier tube, and electronic circuit. The scintillator absorbs the neutron, releasing light energy which is detected by the photomultiplier tube and then converted into an electrical signal.

As for Craig Wallace's method, he used CDs to slow down the neutrons to thermal energies and then measured them using a neutron counter, which works in a similar way to a scintillator. As for the aluminum foil trick, it is possible to do this with your fusor at 20KV. The gamma ray produced from the reaction will give you an approximation of the number of neutrons present.

Hope this helps!