What is it about?
In this paper we show the state of art of a promising low cost technique, based on commercial solid state silicon detectors coupled with thin neutron converter layers of 6LiF deposited onto carbon fiber substrates. Several configurations were studied with the GEANT4 simulation code, and then calibrated at the PTB Thermal Neutron Calibration Facility. The results show that the measured detection efficiency is well reproduced by the simulations, therefore validating the simulation tool in view of new designs. These neutron detectors have also been tested at neutron beam facilities like ISIS (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK) and n_TOF (CERN) where a few samples are already in operation for beam flux and 2D profile measurements. Forthcoming applications are foreseen for the online monitoring of spent nuclear fuel casks in interim storage sites.
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Why is it important?
The demand for new thermal neutron detectors as an alternative to 3He tubes in research, industrial, safety and homeland security applications, is growing. These needs have triggered research and development activities about new generations of thermal neutron detectors, characterized by reasonable efficiency and gamma rejection comparable to 3He tubes.
Perspectives
This detector can make a difference in the overall approach to neutron detection, as it is compact, operated at low voltage (even from batteries), and of much lower cost with respect to 3He tubes.
Paolo Finocchiaro
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Neutron detection devices with 6LiF converter layers, EPJ Web of Conferences, January 2018, EDP Sciences,
DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/201817001004.
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