Search

Neutron detection and multiplicity counting has been investigated using a boron-loaded plastic scintillator (BC454)/bismuth germanate (BGO) phoswich detector array. Boron-loaded plastic combines neutron moderation (H) and detection ({sup 10}B) at the molecular level, thereby physically coupling increasing detection efficiency and decreasing die-away time with detector volume. Separation of the phoswich response into its plastic scintillator and bismuth germanate components was accomplished on an event-by-event basis using custom integrator and timing circuits, enabling a prompt coincidence requirement between the BC454 and BGO to be used to identify neutron captures. In addition, a custom time-tag module was used to provide a time for each detector event. Time-correlation analysis was subsequently performed on the filtered event stream to obtain shift-register-type singles and doubles count rates.

[1] Gamma-Ray, Neutron, and Alpha-Particle Spectrometers (GRS, NS, and APS, respectively) were included in the payload complement of Lunar Prospector (LP). Specific objectives of the GRS were to map abundances of Fe, Ti, Th, K, Si, O, Mg, Al, and Ca to depths of 20 cm. Those of the NS were to search for water ice to depths of 100 cm near the lunar poles and to map regolith maturity. Objectives of the APS were to search for, map, and provide a measure of the time history of gaseous release events at the lunar surface. The purpose of this paper is to document the mechanical, analog electronic, digital electronic, and microprocessor designs of the suite of spectrometers, present a representative sample of the calibrated response functions of all sensors, and document the operation of all three LP spectrometers in sufficient detail as to enable the full knowledgeable use of all data products that were archived in the Planetary Data System for future use by the planetary-science community.

[1] The energy spectrum of fast neutrons generated by interactions between galactic cosmic rays and the Mars Odyssey spacecraft during quiet interplanetary conditions is determined. It is given by Φn(En) = (0.071 ± 0.0044) En−(0.28±0.055) cm−2 s−1 MeV−1 for energies between 0.7 and 6 MeV. The estimated ratio of this component of spacecraft neutron background to the Martian leakage flux in Mars orbit is expected to amount to between 0.30 and 0.34. This fraction is sufficiently small so that the total background in orbit about Mars is expected to be dominated by Martian leakage neutrons reprocessed by the spacecraft. Nevertheless, the measured asymmetry properties of the Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer response function should allow separation of foreground and background neutron fluxes when in Mars orbit. The fast neutron flux between 0.7 and 6 MeV should only contribute 0.40 Roentgen Equivalent Man (rem) per year to the total radiation dose aboard a Mars Odyssey class spacecraft at solar maximum.

The Mars Odyssey Gamma-Ray Spectrometer is a suite of three different instruments, a gamma subsystem (GS), a neutron spectrometer, and a high-energy neutron detector, working together to collect data that will permit the mapping of elemental concentrations on the surface of Mars. The instruments are complimentary in that the neutron instruments have greater sensitivity to low amounts of hydrogen, but their signals saturate as the hydrogen content gets high. The hydrogen signal in the GS, on the other hand, does not saturate at high hydrogen contents and is sensitive to small differences in hydrogen content even when hydrogen is very abundant. The hydrogen signal in the neutron instruments and the GS have a different dependence on depth, and thus by combining both data sets we can infer not only the amount of hydrogen, but constrain its distribution with depth. In addition to hydrogen, the GS determines the abundances of several other elements. The instruments, the basis of the technique, and the data processing requirements are described as are some expected applications of the data to scientific problems.