Demonstration of neutron detection utilizing open cell foam and noble gas scintillation

Journal Article · Mon Mar 02 00:00:00 EST 2015 · Applied Physics Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4914001· OSTI ID:22412787

Miller, E. C. ^[1]; Coplan, M. ^[2]; Thompson, Alan K.; Vest, Robert E.; Yue, A. T. ^[3]; Kowler, A. L. ^[4]; Koeth, T. ^[5]; Al-Sheikhly, M. ^[6]; Clark, Charles W. ^[2]

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1. The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Asymmetric Operations Department, Laurel, Maryland 20723 (United States)
2. Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20142 (United States)
3. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 (United States)
4. Department of Chemical Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20142 (United States)
5. Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20142 (United States)
6. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)

We present results demonstrating neutron detection via a closely spaced converter structure coupled to low pressure noble gas scintillation instrumented by a single photo-multiplier tube (PMT). The converter is dispersed throughout the gas volume using a reticulated vitreous carbon foam coated with boron carbide (B{sub 4}C). A calibrated cold neutron beam is used to measure the neutron detection properties, using a thin film of enriched {sup 10}B as a reference standard. Monte Carlo computations of the ion energy deposition are discussed, including treatment of the foam random network. Results from this study indicate that the foam shadows a significant portion of the scintillation light from the PMT. The high scintillation yield of Xe appears to overcome the light loss, facilitating neutron detection and presenting interesting opportunities for neutron detector design.

• OSTI ID: 22412787
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 106, Issue 9; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
BORON 10
BORON CARBIDES
COLD NEUTRONS
ELECTRON MULTIPLIERS
ENERGY ABSORPTION
ENERGY LOSSES
FOAMS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NEUTRON DETECTION
NEUTRON DETECTORS
RARE GASES
SCINTILLATIONS
THIN FILMS
VISIBLE RADIATION