Development of a novel macrostructured cathode for large-area neutron detectors based on the 10B-containing solid converter

Stefanescu, I.; Abdullahi, Y.; Birch, Jens; Defendi, I.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Höglund, Carina; Hultman, Lars; Seiler, D.; Zeitelhack, K.

doi:10.1016/j.nima.2013.06.003

Cited by 24 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Films with thicknesses between 1.4 and 1.9 lm were grown onto Si(001) wafer pieces, on flat Al blades (alloy EN AW-5754) [30], and on macrostructured Al blades [20]. The chosen substrates allow for various material analysis techniques and correspond to frequently used substrates in 10 B-based neutron detectors.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Low-temperature growth of boron carbide coatings by direct current magnetron sputtering and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering

et al. 2016

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B 4 C coatings for 10 B-based neutron detector applications were deposited using high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) and direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) processes. The coatings were deposited on Si(001) as well as on flat and macrostructured (grooved) Al blades in an industrial coating unit using B 4 C compound targets in Ar. The HiPIMS and DCMS processes were conducted at substrate temperatures of 100 and 400°C and the Ar pressure was varied between 300 and 800 mPa. Neutron detector-relevant coating characterization was performed and the coating properties were evaluated with regard to their growth rate, density, level of impurities, and residual coating stress. The coating properties are mainly influenced by general process parameters such as the Ar pressure and substrate temperature. The deposition mode shows only minor effects on the coating quality and no effects on the step coverage. At a substrate temperature of 100°C and an Ar pressure of 800 mPa, well-adhering and functional coatings were deposited in both deposition modes; the coatings showed a density of 2.2 g/cm 3 , a B/C ratio of *3.9, and the lowest compressive residual stresses of 180 MPa. The best coating quality was obtained in DCMS mode using an Ar pressure of 300 mPa and a substrate temperature of 400°C. Such process parameters yielded coatings with a slightly higher density of 2.3 g/cm 3 , a B/C ratio of *4, and the compressive residual stresses limited to 220 MPa.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The poor step coverage arises due to the line-of-sight deposition nature of this technique [19]. As was pointed out by Stefanescu et al, 10 B 4 C coating thickness non-uniformity on such macrostructured blades may lead to detector efficiency losses of up to 10 % [20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-temperature growth of boron carbide coatings by direct current magnetron sputtering and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering

et al. 2016

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“…The converter coatings discussed here can be implemented in a number of conceptually different detector designs. [26][27][28][29] B. General properties and application of boron carbide While being a well-suited material for neutron detection via conversion reactions, B 4 C is mainly known for its broad spectrum for technical applications as a hard material.…”

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confidence: 99%

Boron carbide coatings for neutron detection probed by x-rays, ions, and neutrons to determine thin film quality

Nowak

Störmer

Becker

et al. 2015

Journal of Applied Physics

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Boron carbide coatings for neutron detection probed by x-rays, ions, and neutrons to determine thin film quality He and the associated tremendous increase of its price, the supply of large neutron detection systems with 3 He becomes unaffordable. Alternative neutron detection concepts, therefore, have been invented based on solid 10 B converters. These concepts require development in thin film deposition technique regarding high adhesion, thickness uniformity and chemical purity of the converter coating on large area substrates. We report on the sputter deposition of highly uniform large-area 10 B 4 C coatings of up to 2 lm thickness with a thickness deviation below 4% using the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht large area sputtering system. The 10 B 4 C coatings are x-ray amorphous and highly adhesive to the substrate. Material analysis by means of X-ray-Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Secondary-Ion-Mass-Spectrometry, and RutherfordBack-Scattering (RBS) revealed low impurities concentration in the coatings. The isotope composition determined by Secondary-Ion-Mass-Spectrometry, RBS, and inelastic nuclear reaction analysis of the converter coatings evidences almost identical 10 B isotope contents in the sputter target and in the deposited coating. Neutron conversion and detection test measurements with variable irradiation geometry of the converter coating demonstrate an average relative quantum efficiency ranging from 65% to 90% for cold neutrons as compared to a black 3 He-monitor. Thus, these converter coatings contribute to the development of 3 He-free prototype detectors based on neutron grazing incidence. Transferring the developed coating process to an industrial scale sputtering system can make alternative 3 He-free converter elements available for large area neutron detection systems.

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“…In that case, the properties of charged particle products mainly depend on the neutron energy and its corresponding cross-section. This model is widely applied in various research fields such as in Boron neutron capture therapy in medicine, 10,32 neutron detection and spectrometry in nuclear physics 13,17,19,24,25 and other important applications such as oil well logging. Improving the knowledge related to these reactions allows to optimize the exploitation of this process, specially when precise information on the particle products is needed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monte-Carlo modeling and simulation of neutrons detection process using Boron-10

Benzaid

Seghour

Borrás

2017

Int. J. Mod. Phys. E

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The interaction of a mono-energetic neutron beam with a target layer of Boron-10 is studied to characterize the behavior of neutrons and produced charged particles inside the layer. The detection system is modeled through a Monte-Carlo simulation. The quality of the simulation method and controlling parameters is assessed with the response function. The Von Neumann rejection sampling method is used to model the interaction process. The obtained results show high agreement with previous results.

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Development of a novel macrostructured cathode for large-area neutron detectors based on the 10B-containing solid converter

Cited by 24 publications

References 12 publications

Low-temperature growth of boron carbide coatings by direct current magnetron sputtering and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering

Low-temperature growth of boron carbide coatings by direct current magnetron sputtering and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering

Boron carbide coatings for neutron detection probed by x-rays, ions, and neutrons to determine thin film quality

Monte-Carlo modeling and simulation of neutrons detection process using Boron-10

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