Neutron Detectors Made From Chemically Vapour Deposited Semiconductors

1997 ◽  
Vol 487 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Foulon ◽  
P. Bergonzo ◽  
A. Brambilla ◽  
C. Jany ◽  
B. Guizard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Chemical Vapour ◽  
Polycrystalline Diamond ◽  
Neutron Detection ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Neutron Detectors ◽  
Gadolinium Isotope ◽  
Neutron Detection Efficiency ◽  
Hydrogenated Amorphous

AbstractIn this paper, we present the results of investigations on the use of semiconductors deposited by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) for the fabrication of neutron detectors. For this purpose, 20 μm thick hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) pin diodes and 100 μm thick polycrystalline diamond resistive detectors were fabricated. The detectors were coupled to a neutron-charged particle converter : a layer of either gadolinium or boron (isotope 10 enriched) deposited by evaporation. We have demonstrated the capability of such neutron detectors to operate at neutron fluxes ranging from 101 to 106 neutrons/cm2.s. The fabrication of large area detectors for neutron counting or cartography through the use of multichannel reading circuits is discussed. The advantages of these detectors include the ability to produce large area detectors at low cost, radiation hardness (∼ 4 Mrad for a-Si:H and ∼ 100 Mrad for diamond), and for diamond, operation at temperatures up to 500°C. These properties enable the use of these devices for neutron detection in harsh environments. Thermal neutron detection efficiency up to 22 % and 3 % are expected by coupling a-Si:H diodes and diamond detectors to 3 μm thick gadolinium (isotope 157) and 2 μm thick boron layers, respectively.

scholarly journals Thin Film Polymer Composite Scintillators for Thermal Neutron Detection

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Mabe ◽  
John D. Auxier ◽  
Matthew J. Urffer ◽  
Stephen A. Young ◽  
Dayakar Penumadu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Thermal Neutron ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
Fluorescence Emission ◽  
Neutron Detection ◽  
Fluorescent Sensors ◽  
Neutron Detectors ◽  
Neutron Detection Efficiency ◽  
Film Polymer

Thin film polystyrene composite scintillators containing LiF6 and organic fluors have been fabricated and tested as thermal neutron detectors. Varying fluorescence emission intensities for different compositions are interpreted in terms of the Beer-Lambert law and indicate that the sensitivity of fluorescent sensors can be improved by incorporating transparent particles with refractive index different than that of the polymer matrix. Compositions and thicknesses were varied to optimize the fluorescence and thermal neutron response and to reduce gamma-ray sensitivity. Neutron detection efficiency and neutron/gamma-ray discrimination are reported herein as functions of composition and thickness. Gamma-ray sensitivity is affected largely by changing thickness and unaffected by the amount of LiF6 in the film. The best neutron/gamma-ray discrimination characteristics are obtained for film thicknesses in the range 25–150 μm.

scholarly journals Development of a Coated-Micro-Particle Neutron Detector Based on LiF/ZnS Scintillator

2020 ◽  
Vol 225 ◽  
pp. 07009
Author(s):  
Faruk Logoglu ◽  
Marek Flaska ◽  
Douglas E. Wolfe
Keyword(s):  
Coating Thickness ◽  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Neutron Detection ◽  
Light Transport ◽  
Light Collection ◽  
Neutron Detectors ◽  
Micro Particles ◽  
Light Production ◽  
Neutron Detection Efficiency

6LiF:ZnS(Ag) micro-particle neutron detectors are a promising technology to further improve neutron detection capabilities for a variety of applications. Specifically, we have been investigating 6LiF micro-particles coated with ZnS(Ag) to increase the neutron detection efficiency, light production, and light collection efficiency when compared to the existing powder-based technology (EJ-426 from Eljen Technology). Extensive radiation and light transport simulations with single micro-particles have been performed to find the optimal 6LiF diameter and ZnS(Ag) coating thickness. Full-scale multi-particle simulations also have been performed to determine the optimal pitch (particle-to-particle distance) and detector thickness. Randomizations of 6LiF radius, ZnS(Ag) coating thickness, position of particles, as well as shape of particles and partial coating have been performed to account for possible manufacturing imperfections. EJ-426 sheets have been modeled for reference purposes by defining spherical grains of 6LiF and ZnS(Ag) and compared against experiments. The simulation results show that the coated micro-particles should dramatically increase the neutron detection efficiency, light production, and light collection efficiency when compared to the existing EJ-426 technology.

scholarly journals Advanced Multilayer Composite Heavy-Oxide Scintillator Detectors for High Efficiency Fast Neutron Detection

2018 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 07010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir D. Ryzhikov ◽  
Sergei V. Naydenov ◽  
Thierry Pochet ◽  
Gennadiy M. Onyshchenko ◽  
Leonid A. Piven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fast Neutron ◽  
Count Rate ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Neutron Detection ◽  
Multilayer Composite ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Transparent Plastic ◽  
Fast Neutron Detection ◽  
Scintillator Detectors

We have developed and evaluated a new approach to fast neutron and neutron-gamma detection based on large-area multilayer composite heterogeneous detection media consisting of dispersed granules of small-crystalline scintillators contained in a transparent organic (plastic) matrix. Layers of the composite material are alternated with layers of transparent plastic scintillator material serving as light guides. The resulting detection medium – designated as ZEBRA – serves as both an active neutron converter and a detection scintillator which is designed to detect both neutrons and gamma-quanta. The composite layers of the ZEBRA detector consist of small heavy-oxide scintillators in the form of granules of crystalline BGO, GSO, ZWO, PWO and other materials. We have produced and tested the ZEBRA detector of sizes 100x100x41 mm and greater, and determined that they have very high efficiency of fast neutron detection (up to 49% or greater), comparable to that which can be achieved by large sized heavy-oxide single crystals of about Ø40x80 cm3 volume. We have also studied the sensitivity variation to fast neutron detection by using different types of multilayer ZEBRA detectors of 100 cm2 surface area and 41 mm thickness (with a detector weight of about 1 kg) and found it to be comparable to the sensitivity of a 3He-detector representing a total cross-section of about 2000 cm2 (with a weight of detector, including its plastic moderator, of about 120 kg). The measured count rate in response to a fast neutron source of 252Cf at 2 m for the ZEBRA-GSO detector of size 100x100x41 mm3 was 2.84 cps/ng, and this count rate can be doubled by increasing the detector height (and area) up to 200x100 mm2. In summary, the ZEBRA detectors represent a new type of high efficiency and low cost solid-state neutron detector that can be used for stationary neutron/gamma portals. They may represent an interesting alternative to expensive, bulky gas counters based on 3He or 10B neutron detection technologies.

High aspect ratio composite structures with 48.5% thermal neutron detection efficiency

2013 ◽  
Vol 102 (6) ◽  
pp. 063505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Shao ◽  
L. F. Voss ◽  
A. M. Conway ◽  
R. J. Nikolic ◽  
M. A. Dar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Thermal Neutron ◽  
High Aspect Ratio ◽  
Composite Structures ◽  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
Neutron Detection ◽  
Neutron Detection Efficiency
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