Solid-State Neutron Detection Based on Methylammonium Lead Bromide Perovskite Single Crystals

Abstract

Perovskite-based semiconductors, such as methylammonium and cesium lead halides (MPbX3: M = CH3NH3 + or Cs+; X = I–, Br–, or Cl–), have attracted immense attention for several applications, including radiation detection, due to their excellent electronic and optical properties.1,2,3,4,5,6 In addition, the combination of perovskites with other materials enables unique device structures. For example, robust and reliable diodes result when combined with metal oxide semiconductors. This device can be used for detection of nonionizing and ionizing radiation. In this paper, we report a unique perovskite single-crystal-based neutron detector using a heterojunction diode based on single-crystal MAPbBr3 and gallium oxide (Ga2O3) thin film. The MAPbBr3/Ga2O3 diodes demonstrate a leakage current of ∼7 × 10–10 A/mm2, an on/off ratio of ∼102, an ideality factor of 1.41, and minimal hysteresis that enables alpha particle, gamma-ray, and neutron detection at a bias as low as (−5 V). Gamma discrimination is further improved by 85% by optimizing the thickness of the perovskite single crystal. The MAPbBr3/Ga2O3 diodes also demonstrate a neutron detection efficiency of ∼3.92% when combined with a 10B neutron conversion layer.

Investigation of structural and optical properties of MAPbBr3monocrystals under fast electron irradiation

“…The electrical properties of MAPbBr 3 demonstrates high specific resistivity (10 8 O cm) 13 and low concentration of the traps (10 9 cm À3 ), 14 which is essential for the precise operation of the radiation detector. The variety of applications for interaction with alpha, 15,16 betaparticles, 17,18 X-rays, 19,20 g-rays, 21 protons, 22 electrons 23 and neutrons 24 with a wide range of radiation energies and doserates is huge. 25 However, this direction is still suffering from a lack of knowledge about changes in structural, surface, optical and electrical properties under radiation and requires thorough investigation.…”

Halide perovskites and perovskite related materials for particle radiation detection

“…Bouanani et al used polished MAPbBr 3 single crystals (thickness of 100 µm) in a diode structure of Ag/In/Ga 2 O 3 /MAPbBr 3 / Au for thermal neutron detection. 116 The diodes exhibited low leakage current and high α particle detection efficiency of 59.3%. The neutron detection was achieved by placing a 10 B converter on top of the Ag contact, and the neutron detection efficiency reached 3.92%, higher than the planer detector and very closed to the micro-structured CsPbBr 3 detectors.…”

“…Several reports have demonstrated neutron detectors based on halide perovskites, including both scintillators and indirect-conversion solid-state detectors. [67][68][69][70]106,115,116 Since the detectors for thermal and fast neutrons require different absorbing materials, they will be discussed separately below.…”

Recent Progress in Halide Perovskite Radiation Detectors for Gamma-Ray Spectroscopy

“…Lead halide perovskites are emerging materials that have attracted considerable interest in photovoltaics, − light-emitting diodes, − photodetection, − and other fields. − They are also promising semiconductors for high-energy radiation detectors, with record-breaking sensitivities for detecting X-rays, − γ-rays, ,− alpha particles, − beta particles, and neutrons. , Halide perovskites have a general ABX 3 chemical formula, where A is an organic or inorganic cation (methyl­ammonium (MA), formamidinium (FA), Cs, Rb, etc. ), B is a metallic cation (Pb, Sn, Bi, etc.…”

“…37−41 They are also promising semiconductors for highenergy radiation detectors, with record-breaking sensitivities for detecting X-rays, 42−46 γ-rays, 23,47−53 alpha particles, 54−56 beta particles, 57 and neutrons. 58,59 Halide perovskites have a general ABX 3 chemical formula, where A is an organic or inorganic cation (methylammonium (MA), formamidinium (FA), Cs, Rb, etc. ), B is a metallic cation (Pb, Sn, Bi, etc.…”