CHARACTERISTICS OF FABRICATED SiC RADIATION DETECTORS FOR FAST NEUTRON DETECTION

Abstract

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a promising material for neutron detection at harsh environments because of its capability to withstand strong radiation fields and high temperatures. Two PIN-type SiC semiconductor neutron detectors, which can be used for nuclear power plant (NPP) applications, such as in-core reactor neutron flux monitoring and measurement, were designed and fabricated. As a preliminary test, MCNPX simulations were performed to estimate reaction probabilities with respect to neutron energies. In the experiment, I-V curves were measured to confirm the diode characteristic of the detectors, and pulse height spectra were measured for neutron responses by using a 252 Cf neutron source at KRISS (Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science), and a Tandem accelerator at KIGAM (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources). The neutron counts of the detector were linearly increased as the incident neutron flux got larger.

Ex-Vessel Delayed Neutron Detection Systems for the ASTRID Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor

“… 310 GBq.kg -1 for the 24 Na,  37 MBq.kg -1 for the 22 Na,  170 GBq.kg -1 for the 23 Ne,  250 GBq.kg -1 for the 20 F.…”

“…It must be noted here that, inorganic or organic scintillators become ineffective in dose rates above 10 mGy.h -1 . Small semi-conductors technologies, such as SiC, diamond or CdZnTe, covered or doped with neutron convertors [22][23][24], enable neutron detection in a relatively high gamma dose rate, but their low geometrical efficiency disagree with the requirement of neutron sensitivity maximization.…”