Neutron source strength monitors for ITER

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There are several goals for the neutron source strength monitor system for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. Desired is a stable, reliable, time-dependent neutron detection system which exhibits a wide dynamic range and broad energy response to incident neutrons while being insensitive to gamma rays and having low noise characteristics in a harsh reactor environment. This system should be able to be absolutely calibrated in situ using various neutron sources. An array of proportional counters of varying sensitivities is proposed along with the most promising possible locations. One proposed location is in the preshields of the neutron camera collimators which would allow an integrated design of neutron systems with good detector access. As part of an ongoing conceptual design for this system, the detector-specific issues of dynamic range, performance monitoring, and sensitivity will be presented. The location options of the array will be discussed and most importantly, the calibration issues associated with a heavily shielded vessel will be presented. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.