Systems and methods for neutron detection using scintillator nano-materials

Title: Systems and methods for neutron detection using scintillator nano-materials

In one embodiment, a neutron detector includes a three dimensional matrix, having nanocomposite materials and a substantially transparent film material for suspending the nanocomposite materials, a detector coupled to the three dimensional matrix adapted for detecting a change in the nanocomposite materials, and an analyzer coupled to the detector adapted for analyzing the change detected by the detector. In another embodiment, a method for detecting neutrons includes receiving radiation from a source, converting neutrons in the radiation into alpha particles using converter material, converting the alpha particles into photons using quantum dot emitters, detecting the photons, and analyzing the photons to determine neutrons in the radiation.

Inventors:: Letant, Sonia Edith; Wang, Tzu-Fang

Issue Date:: 2016-03-08

OSTI Identifier:: 1241312

Assignee:: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA) LLNL

Patent Number(s):: 9,279,894

Application Number:: 13/024,066

Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344

Resource Relation:: Patent File Date: 2011 Feb 09

Research Org:: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org:: USDOE

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

Subject:: 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; 77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY; 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE

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Other works cited in this record:

ZnS quantum dot based nanocomposite scintillators for thermal neutron detection
journal, October 2010

Wang, C. L.; Gou, L.; Zaleski, J. M.
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Vol. 622, Issue 1, p. 186-190
DOI: 10.1016/j.nima.2010.07.032

Highly efficient solid-state neutron scintillators based on hybrid sol-gel nanocomposite materials
journal, November 2006

Kesanli, Banu; Hong, Kunlun; Meyer, Kent
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 89, Issue 21, Article No. 214104
DOI: 10.1063/1.2393003

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