He-3 neutron proportional counter with internal leakage detection and related method

摘要

A radiation detector (10) includes a pressure-tight housing (12) having a peripheral, cylindrically-shaped wall and opposite end closures. An electrode wire (20) extends through a center of the housing, spaced from the cylindrically-shaped wall. A pressurized detector gas fills the housing, and circuit connections (40, 42) to the electrode wire (20) and the housing (12) permits application of an electric potential thereto. The electrode wire is composed of a material providing a source of alpha particles for ionizing the gas within the housing, generating an alpha peak (46) on the output spectrum distinct from the peak generated by incident neutrons. A related method is also disclosed.