Microstructured silicon neutron detectors for security applications

Abstract

In this paper we present the design and performance of a perforated thermal neutron silicon detector with a 6 LiF neutron converter. This device was manufactured within the REWARD project workplace whose aim is to develop and enhance technologies for the detection of nuclear and radiological materials. The sensor perforated structure results in a higher efficiency than that obtained with an equivalent planar sensor. The detectors were tested in a thermal neutron beam at the nuclear reactor at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon and the intrinsic detection efficiency for thermal neutrons and the gamma sensitivity were obtained. The Geant4 Monte Carlo code was used to simulate the experimental conditions, i.e. thermal neutron beam and the whole detector geometry. An intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency of 8.6% ± 0.4% with a discrimination setting of 450 keV was measured.

Manufacturability and Stress Issues in 3D Silicon Detector Technology at IMB-CNM

“…3D detector technology was successfully extended at IMB-CNM to other devices, as U3DTHIN [49], neutron detectors [50], Vertical-JFET [51], and micro-dosimeters [52], on a variety of wafer types and thickness. But the highest curvatures were met in 3D detector technology, and the abovementioned technologies benefited the improvement implemented therein.…”