Large area position sensitive detector for thermal neutrons

Journal Article · 27 June 2024 · Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2024.169569 · OSTI ID:2429836

Shikhaliev, Polad  ^[1]; Hannan, Bruce ^[1]; Diawara, Yacouba ^[1]; Funk, Loren  ^[1]; Sedov, Vlad  ^[1]; Kirkham, Melanie  ^[1]; Visscher, Ted ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Large area thermal neutron detectors are applied in many fields including industrial imaging, nuclear safeguarding, neutron scattering, and fundamental science. Historically, these detectors were based on ³He gas proportional counters despite the limitations of ³He detectors such as high cost, limited supply, non-uniform spatial resolution, and depth of absorption problems. Two alternatives to ³He detectors are ⁶Li-loaded glass scintillators, and powdered ZnS(Ag) scintillators mixed with 6LiF neutron converters. The ⁶LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillator has advantages over ⁶Li glass as it is less expensive and can be produced in larger areas, although its self-absorption presents a problem. In this work, we developed a large area thermal neutron detector based on ⁶LiF/ZnS(Ag) scintillator coupled with wavelength shifting fibers. The detector uses resistive charge divider-based position encoding. We further modified and improved the method by 2D segmentation of the detector using modular multichannel readout electronics. This segmentation approach allows for a combination of large detector area, improved spatial resolution, and increased count rate. Furthermore, spatial resolution can be variable across the detector area by adjusting the segment size.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 2429836
• Journal Information: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, Journal Name: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research. Section A, Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment Vol. 1065; ISSN 0168-9002
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English