A new active thermal neutron detector

Abstract

This communication presents the main results about the design and in-house fabrication of a new solid-state neutron detector, which produces a DC output signal proportional to the thermal neutron fluence rate. The detector has been developed within the framework of the 3-y project NESCOFI@BTF of INFN (CSN V). Due to its sensitivity, photon rejection, low cost and minimum size, this device is suited to be used in moderator-based spectrometers.

Experimental test of a newly developed single-moderator, multi-detector, directional neutron spectrometer in reference monochromatic fields from 144keV to 16.5MeV

“…Their response to thermal neutrons (in terms of counts per unit conventional thermal fluence) is about 0.03 cm 2 . To account for small unavoidable detector-to-detector differences (in the order of 3%), every detector was individually calibrated at the INFN-LNF thermal neutron cavity [14].…”

The e_LiBANS facility: A new compact thermal neutron source based on a medical electron LINAC

“…The error indicates one standard deviation and takes into account the uncertainty on the detector calibration factor, 2%, [7], instrumental error, less than 1%, confirmed by repeated measurements, and the statistical uncertainty, 1.5%, due to the RMS of the voltage signal and to the baseline subtraction. The accuracy of the result is impressive and it confirms the quality the experimental technique.…”

“…The fluence distribution in the irradiation volume has been determined by means of a small active thermal neutron rate detector (TNRD) [7] developed within the collaboration. This device, through dedicated acquisition electronics, produces a DC voltage level that is proportional to the thermal neutron fluence rate, and thanks to an internal compensation it is almost insensitive to photons.…”

Improving the neutron-to-photon discrimination capability of detectors used for neutron dosimetry in high energy photon beam radiotherapy

“…TNRD detector TNRD detector, was developed by Bedogni et al (2014) in the framework of the NESCOFI@BTF project (2011, is based on a low-cost commercial solid-state device made sensitive to thermal neutrons through a customized physical-chemical treatment (mainly consisting on a 6 Li deposition layer). Its active area is 1 cm 2 and its overall dimensions are 1.5 cm  1 cm  0.4 cm (Fig.…”

“…Since dosimetric methods for photon doses are well-known Taddei et al, 2013), our group has focused on the neutron component, and established a methodology to estimate peripheral neutron doses (Sánchez-Doblado et al, 2012;Expósito et al, 2013;Romero-Expósito et al, 2015;VazquezLuque et al, 2013). Although this procedure was developed for a particular thermal neutron detector (Gómez et al, 2010), could be applicable to any other (Guardiola et al, 2013;Bedogni et al, 2014). Specifically, one of these detectors, named TNRD (Thermal Neutron Rate Detector), designed and developed by Bedogni et al, was characterized for peripheral neutron dose measurements in radiotherapy environments, according to the methodology described in Sánchez-Doblado et al (2012).…”