Journal Article

FZJ-2021-03701

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png The Footprint Characteristics of Cosmic Ray Thermal Neutrons

Jakobi, J. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Huisman, J. A.FZJ* ; Köhli, M. ; Rasche, D. ; Vereecken, H.FZJ* ; Bogena, H. R.FZJ*

2021
Wiley Hoboken, NJ

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/28747  doi:10.1029/2021GL094281

Abstract: The advance of the cosmic ray neutron (CRN) sensing method for estimating field scale soil moisture relied largely on simulations of the footprint properties of epithermal neutrons (∼0.5 eV–100 keV). Commercially available CRN probes are usually additionally equipped with a thermal neutron (<0.5 eV) detector. The potential of these measurements is rarely explored because relevant features of thermal neutrons, such as the footprint and the sensitivity to soil moisture are unknown. Here, we used neutron transport modeling and a river crossing experiment to assess the thermal neutron footprint. We found that the horizontal thermal neutron footprint ranges between 43 and 48 m distance from the probe and that the vertical footprint extends to soil depths between 10 and 65 cm depending on soil moisture. Furthermore, we derived weighting functions that quantify the footprint characteristics of thermal neutrons. These results will enable new applications of thermal neutrons.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Agrosphäre (IBG-3)

Research Program(s):

1. 2173 - Agro-biogeosystems: controls, feedbacks and impact (POF4-217) (POF4-217)
2. DFG project 357874777 - FOR 2694: Large-Scale and High-Resolution Mapping of Soil Moisture on Field and Catchment Scales - Boosted by Cosmic-Ray Neutrons (357874777)

Appears in the scientific report 2021

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DEAL Wiley ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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