Design and performance considerations for perforated semiconductor thermal-neutron detectors

Shultis, J. Kenneth; McGregor, Douglas S.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2009.02.033

Cited by 70 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Muminov [27] suggested that the extended surface area of the shallow channels would increase the overall detection efficiency, a suggestion that is only partially true. As pointed out elsewhere [30,31,32], it is actually the added effects of the extended surface area and the increased probability that reaction products can enter the semiconductor material, due to additional geometric effects, that truly increases the efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Present status of microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors

McGregor

Bellinger

Shultis

2013

Journal of Crystal Growth

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Semiconductor diode detectors coated with neutron reactive materials have been investigated as neutron detectors for many decades, and are fashioned mostly as planar diodes coated with boron-10 ( 10 B), lithium-6 fluoride ( 6 LiF) or gadolinium (Gd). Although effective, these detectors are limited in efficiency (the case for boron and LiF coatings) or in the ability to distinguish background radiations from neutron-induced interactions (the case for Gd coatings). Over the past decade, a renewed effort has been made to improve diode designs to achieve up to a tenfold increase in neutron detection efficiency over the simple planar diode designs. These new semiconductor neutron detectors are fashioned with a matrix of microstructured patterns etched deeply into the substrate and, subsequently, backfilled with neutron reactive materials. Intrinsic thermal-neutron detection efficiencies exceeding 40% have been achieved with devices no thicker than 1 mm while operating on less than 5 volts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Present status of microstructured semiconductor neutron detectors

McGregor

Bellinger

Shultis

2013

Journal of Crystal Growth

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“…These recent developments have led to a variety of R&D projects on semiconductor-based thermal neutron detectors. Several different designs of solid-state thermal neutron detectors are currently being investigated [2][3][4][5][6]. Our design is based on a high-aspect-ratio Si PIN diode pillar arrays filled with 10 B, which we have coined the "Pillar Detector" [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Si pillar structured thermal neutron detectors: fabrication challenges and performance expectations

et al. 2011

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Solid-state thermal neutron detectors are desired to replace 3 He tube tube-based technology for the detection of special nuclear materials. 3He tubes have some issues with stability, sensitivity to microphonics and very recently, a shortage of 3 He. There are numerous solid-state approaches being investigated that utilize various architectures and material combinations. Our approach is based on the combination of high-aspect-ratio silicon PIN pillars, which are 2 µm wide with a 2 µm separation, arranged in a square matrix, and surrounded by 10 B, the neutron converter material. To date, our highest efficiency is ~ 20 % for a pillar height of 26 µm. An efficiency of greater than 50 % is predicted for our device, while maintaining high gamma rejection and low power operation once adequate device scaling is carried out. Estimated required pillar height to meet this goal is ~ 50 µm. The fabrication challenges related to 10 B deposition and etching as well as planarization of the three-dimensional structure is discussed.

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“…These include boron-10-( 10 B) lined gaseous tubes, boron-10-triflouride ( 10 BF 3 ) -filled tubes, lithium-6-( 6 Li) doped scintillators, and other semiconductor based platforms utilizing 6 Li [1][2][3][4], 10 B or 10 B containing compounds [5][6][7][8][9][10] such as boron nitride, boron carbide [11] and boron phosphide. Our group has been developing a 3-dimenstional (3d) Si based "Pillar Detector," first reported in 2005 by Nikolic et al [8] with 10 B as the thermal neutron conversion material.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…McGregor et al have developed a design based on 6 LiF in perforations, also a promising approach based on a 3d geometry. [1][2][3][4] Typically, thermal neutron detectors operate on similar principles, relying on an isotope with a high thermal neutron cross-section such as 3 He, 10 B, 6 Li,157 Gd and 113 Cd. An incident thermal neutron interacts with the neutron sensitive material, resulting in a nuclear reaction.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%