Recent Results and Fabrication of Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors (MPFD)

Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors (MPFD) have been developed as real-time in-core neutron flux monitors. Tests have demonstrated linear operation with neutron flux varying through six orders of magnitude while surviving neutron fluences greater than 1019 n.cm-2. Their design is naturally background insensitive with high signal to noise pulses. Built from alumina ceramics, these devices are relatively simple to build and are inexpensive. They have been designed for fabrication into large arrays to facilitate 3-D mapping of a reactor core