SiC Semiconductor Detector Power Monitors for Space Nuclear Reactors
- Nuclear Engineering Program, Ohio State Univ., 206 W. 18th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 (United States)
As a part of a Department of Energy-Nuclear Engineering Research Initiative (NERI) Project, we are investigating SiC semiconductor detectors as power monitors for Generation IV power reactors. SiC detectors are well-suited as power monitors for reactors for space nuclear propulsion, due to their characteristics of small size, mass, and power consumption; mechanical ruggedness; radiation hardness; capability for high temperature operation; and potential for pulse mode operation at high count rates, which may allow for a reduction in the complexity of the reactor instrumentation and control system, as well as allow for verification of detector sensitivity, verification of channel operability, and channel self-repair. In this paper, a mathematical model of a SiC detector is presented. The model includes a description of the formation of electron-hole pairs in a SiC diode detector, using the computer code TRIM. The TRIM results are used as input to a MATLAB simulation of detector current output pulse formation, the results of which are intended for use as the input to a model of the detector channel as a whole.
- OSTI ID:
- 20632867
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 699, Issue 1; Conference: STAIF 2004: 21. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion: Human space exploration, space colonization, new frontiers and future concepts, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 8-11 Feb 2004; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.1649618; (c) 2004 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COUNTING RATES
M CODES
NEUTRON DETECTION
POWER METERS
PULSES
RADIATION MONITORS
REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS
REACTOR INSTRUMENTATION
SEMICONDUCTOR DETECTORS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SENSITIVITY
SILICON CARBIDES
SPACE POWER REACTORS
T CODES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems