Neutron spectroscopy by means of artificial diamond detectors using a remote read out scheme

Angelone, M.; Aielli, G.; Almaviva, S.; Cardarelli, R.; Lattanzi, D.; Marinelli, M.; Pillon, M.; Prestopino, G.; Santonico, R.; Verona, C.

doi:10.1109/animma.2009.5503737

Cited by 3 publications

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“…Features of SCD detector: Chemical vapor deposited (CVD) structured layers, two-step deposition process, 10 B-doped diamond layer act as a backing; the intrinsic diamond region (1 to 200 mm thick) works as a detecting medium, metallic contact on the top 6 LiF layer 95% enriched in 6 Li (0.5 to 4 mm thick) 12. …”

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Review of current neutron detection systems for emergency response

et al. 2014

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Neutron detectors are used in a myriad of applications-from safeguarding special nuclear materials (SNM) to determining lattice spacing in soft materials. The transformational changes taking place in neutron detection and imaging techniques in the last few years are largely being driven by the global shortage of helium-3 ( 3 He). This article reviews the status of neutron sensors used specifically for SNM detection in radiological emergency response. These neutron detectors must be highly efficient, be rugged, have fast electronics to measure neutron multiplicity, and be capable of measuring direction of the neutron sources and possibly image them with high spatial resolution.Neutron detection is an indirect physical process: neutrons react with nuclei in materials to initiate the release of one or more charged particles that produce electric signals that can be processed by the detection system. Therefore, neutron detection requires conversion materials as active elements of the detection system; these materials may include boron-10 ( 10 B), lithium-6 ( 6 Li), and gadollinium-157 ( 157 Gd), to name a few, but the number of materials available for neutron detection is limited. However, in recent years, pulse-shape-discriminating plastic scintillators, scintillators made of helium-4 ( 4 He) under high pressure, pillar and trench semiconductor diodes, and exotic semiconductor neutron detectors made from uranium oxide and other materials have widely expanded the parameter space in neutron detection methodology. In this article we will pay special attention to semiconductor-based neutron sensors. Modern microfabricated nanotubes covered inside with neutron converter materials and with very high aspect ratios for better charge transport will be discussed. 3 HE PROPORTIONAL COUNTERSThe gas 3 He in pure form is commonly used as a detection material for thermal neutrons through the 3 He(n, p) 3 H reaction. For reactions induced by slow neutrons, the Q-value of 765 keV leads to oppositely directed reaction products with energies E p = 574 keV and E 3H = 191 keV. The thermal neutron cross section for this reaction is 5330 barns (at 1 MeV the cross section is 1 barn), significantly higher than that for the competitive boron reaction, and its value falls off with increasing incident energy.These proportional counters also detect gamma rays, and have to be discriminated against on the basis of amplitude. The primary interaction of gamma rays with the counter is at the tube wall. There is very little interaction with the gas because of its low density or with the anode wire because of its small volume. Most of the interactions result in the ejection of a Compton electron from the tube wall. These electrons also cause ionization of the gas; however, because their energy transfer process is slow (e.g., a 500 keV electron loses all of its energy in about 3.5 m) they produce relatively fewer ion-electron pairs than those from the 3 He reaction. Thus, the signal generated at the anode is small. A typical differential pulse height s...

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confidence: 99%