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Title: Gamma discrimination in pillar structured thermal neutron detectors

Abstract

Solid-state thermal neutron detectors are desired to replace {sup 3}He tube based technology for the detection of special nuclear materials. {sup 3}He tubes have some issues with stability, sensitivity to microphonics and very recently, a shortage of {sup 3}He. There are numerous solid-state approaches being investigated that utilize various architectures and material combinations. By using the combination of high-aspect-ratio silicon PIN pillars, which are 2 {micro}m wide with a 2 {micro}m separation, arranged in a square matrix, and surrounded by {sup 10}B, the neutron converter material, a high efficiency thermal neutron detector is possible. Besides intrinsic neutron detection efficiency, neutron to gamma discrimination is an important figure of merit for unambiguous signal identification. In this work, theoretical calculations and experimental measurements are conducted to determine the effect of structure design of pillar structured thermal neutron detectors including: intrinsic layer thickness, pillar height, substrate doping and incident gamma energy on neutron to gamma discrimination.

Authors:
; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1046803
Report Number(s):
LLNL-PROC-543492
Journal ID: ISSN 0277-786X; TRN: US1203799
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-48
Resource Type:
Conference
Resource Relation:
Journal Volume: 8358; Conference: Presented at: SPIE defense security and sensing 2012, Baltimore, MD, United States, Apr 23 - Apr 27, 2012
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS; 73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; 75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY; BORON; DESIGN; DETECTION; EFFICIENCY; NEUTRON CONVERTERS; NEUTRON DETECTION; NEUTRON DETECTORS; NEUTRONS; PERFORMANCE; SECURITY; SENSITIVITY; SHORTAGES; SILICON; SIMULATION; STABILITY; SUBSTRATES; THERMAL NEUTRONS; THICKNESS

Citation Formats

Shao, Q, Radev, R P, Conway, A M, Voss, L F, Wang, T F, Nikolic, R J, Deo, N, and Cheung, C L. Gamma discrimination in pillar structured thermal neutron detectors. United States: N. p., 2012. Web. doi:10.1117/12.918513.
Shao, Q, Radev, R P, Conway, A M, Voss, L F, Wang, T F, Nikolic, R J, Deo, N, & Cheung, C L. Gamma discrimination in pillar structured thermal neutron detectors. United States. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.918513
Shao, Q, Radev, R P, Conway, A M, Voss, L F, Wang, T F, Nikolic, R J, Deo, N, and Cheung, C L. 2012. "Gamma discrimination in pillar structured thermal neutron detectors". United States. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.918513. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1046803.
@article{osti_1046803,
title = {Gamma discrimination in pillar structured thermal neutron detectors},
author = {Shao, Q and Radev, R P and Conway, A M and Voss, L F and Wang, T F and Nikolic, R J and Deo, N and Cheung, C L},
abstractNote = {Solid-state thermal neutron detectors are desired to replace {sup 3}He tube based technology for the detection of special nuclear materials. {sup 3}He tubes have some issues with stability, sensitivity to microphonics and very recently, a shortage of {sup 3}He. There are numerous solid-state approaches being investigated that utilize various architectures and material combinations. By using the combination of high-aspect-ratio silicon PIN pillars, which are 2 {micro}m wide with a 2 {micro}m separation, arranged in a square matrix, and surrounded by {sup 10}B, the neutron converter material, a high efficiency thermal neutron detector is possible. Besides intrinsic neutron detection efficiency, neutron to gamma discrimination is an important figure of merit for unambiguous signal identification. In this work, theoretical calculations and experimental measurements are conducted to determine the effect of structure design of pillar structured thermal neutron detectors including: intrinsic layer thickness, pillar height, substrate doping and incident gamma energy on neutron to gamma discrimination.},
doi = {10.1117/12.918513},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1046803}, journal = {},
issn = {0277-786X},
number = ,
volume = 8358,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Mar 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012},
month = {Mon Mar 26 00:00:00 EDT 2012}
}

Conference:
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