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

Abstract

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.

Authors:
 [1];  [2]; ; ;  [3];  [4];  [5];  [6];  [2]
  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)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
22412787
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Applied Physics Letters
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 106; Journal Issue: 9; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Journal ID: ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
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

Citation Formats

Lavelle, C. M., E-mail: christopher.lavelle@jhuapl.edu, Miller, E. C., Coplan, M., Thompson, Alan K., Vest, Robert E., Yue, A. T., Kowler, A. L., Koeth, T., Al-Sheikhly, M., Clark, Charles W., National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, and Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Maryland, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899. Demonstration of neutron detection utilizing open cell foam and noble gas scintillation. United States: N. p., 2015. Web. doi:10.1063/1.4914001.
Lavelle, C. M., E-mail: christopher.lavelle@jhuapl.edu, Miller, E. C., Coplan, M., Thompson, Alan K., Vest, Robert E., Yue, A. T., Kowler, A. L., Koeth, T., Al-Sheikhly, M., Clark, Charles W., National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, & Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Maryland, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899. Demonstration of neutron detection utilizing open cell foam and noble gas scintillation. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4914001
Lavelle, C. M., E-mail: christopher.lavelle@jhuapl.edu, Miller, E. C., Coplan, M., Thompson, Alan K., Vest, Robert E., Yue, A. T., Kowler, A. L., Koeth, T., Al-Sheikhly, M., Clark, Charles W., National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, and Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Maryland, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899. 2015. "Demonstration of neutron detection utilizing open cell foam and noble gas scintillation". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4914001.
@article{osti_22412787,
title = {Demonstration of neutron detection utilizing open cell foam and noble gas scintillation},
author = {Lavelle, C. M., E-mail: christopher.lavelle@jhuapl.edu and Miller, E. C. and Coplan, M. and Thompson, Alan K. and Vest, Robert E. and Yue, A. T. and Kowler, A. L. and Koeth, T. and Al-Sheikhly, M. and Clark, Charles W. and National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 and Joint Quantum Institute, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Maryland, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {10.1063/1.4914001},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/22412787}, journal = {Applied Physics Letters},
issn = {0003-6951},
number = 9,
volume = 106,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Mar 02 00:00:00 EST 2015},
month = {Mon Mar 02 00:00:00 EST 2015}
}