Authors: Servo Kasi*
Published Date: 02 January, 2026
Cite: S. Kasi, “Neutron measurement of moisture in mineral matter. Physical side of the gauge,” Crystal Journal of Physics, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-5, 2026.
Abstract
This measurement depends on the hydrogen slowing-downs of fast neutrons. Except moisture in good measurements one then considers the parameters: hydrogen content, density and absorption cross section of the matter. For this meter I have made Monte Carlo (MC)-calculations [1], the first with Elliott [2] and the last ones with MatLab in my computer. I have supposed a point source S and point detector D in infinite medium. In the actual calculations, at first, I have taken the AmLi source spectrum of neutrons [3] to pick up the energy for each neutron. The neutrons I follow downwards sequentially. They slow down to the energy E0 = 1217 eV. q0 is the slowing-down density at the energy E0.
Authors: Servo Kasi*
Published Date: 02 January, 2026
Cite: S. Kasi, “Neutron measurement of moisture in mineral matter: modeling of the gauge,” Crystal Journal of Physics, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-6, 2026.
Abstract
Neutron radiation provides a non-destructive method for measuring moisture in mineral matter by detecting the content of hydrogen. This study focuses on developing a robust numerical model for a Neutron Moisture Gauge which utilizes a source of fast (MeV) neutrons and detects thermal or epithermal slowed-down neutrons. For accurate prediction of the gauge's response (counting rate), a Monte Carlo (MC) calculation based on a two-path method was performed. The model required multiplying the neutron slowing-down density with the detection probability and integrating the product to yield the total counting rate. Initial modeling found that the common assumption of spherical symmetry proved inapplicable to the physical geometry of the gauge. The gauge was successfully modeled using cylindrical geometry, confirming the viability of this computational approach for optimizing and calibrating mineral moisture sensors.
Keywords
Neutron Gauge, Moisture Measurement, MC Calculation, Cylindrical Geometry, Geometry Applications, Epithermal Neutrons
