Prototype of a deep-sea in-situ neutron activation spectrometer for polymetallic nodule and crust exploration
摘要
In-situ exploration of deep-sea seabed resources is a valuable research direction. Neutron activation-based in-situ exploration methods for seabed polymetallic nodules or crust resources are theoretically feasible because of the high content and high neutron capture cross-section of manganese in these nodules or crusts. However, to date, only a few relevant studies have been conducted. In this study, a prototype deep-sea in-situ neutron activation spectrometer (DINAS) was designed for resource exploration. Through an analysis of the principles of the spectrometer combined with Monte Carlo simulations of the physical principles and finite element simulations of deep-sea pressure, the structure and fundamental components of the spectrometer were determined. The inner core of the spectrometer comprised three components: a compact neutron generator for neutron production, gamma-ray detectors, and an electronics system. The gamma-ray detector array of the spectrometer consisted of LaBr