Development and characterization of a 4 × 4mm²pixel neutron scintillation detector using digital SiPMs

Abstract

A: This work describes the development of the first demonstrator device for neutron detection based on a 6 Li-glass as a scintillator and silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) as photodetector. For the first characterization, the scintillator was pixelated with a one to one correspondence between scintillator and SiPM pixels, and optical cross-talk between pixels was minimized. Measurements in a high luminosity neutron beam show the functionality of the device and allow for partial characterization. The position resolution is 4 × 4 mm 2 and the detection efficiency of neutrons is 91(6) % relative to the active area. The device is linear up to at least 600 kcps. K: Neutron detectors (cold, thermal neutrons), Scintillators, Photon detectors for visible photons (SiPMs) 1Corresponding author

Performance of a Position-Sensitive Neutron Scintillation Detector Based on Silicon Photomultipliers

“…Concerning radiation hardness of SiPMs in cold/thermal neutron detection, our investigation shows that SiPMs have an expected lifetime of ten years of operation with an acceptable performance degradation for typical small-angle neutron scattering experiments [8], [9]. Hence, SiPMs can be a possible alternative to PMTs for such applications [10].…”

SiPM-based neutron Anger camera with auto-calibration capabilities

“…According to the manufacturer, this thickness results in 73% interaction probability for 2.5 Å neutrons. Capture of a neutron by a lithium-6 nucleus results in the nuclear reaction 6 Li + n → 3 H (2.75 MeV) + 4 He (2.05 MeV)…”

“…After silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) become available, this type of light sensors was also considered for neutron Anger camera readout [5][6][7]. SiPMs offer several advantages over PMTs, such as insensitivity to magnetic fields, low operating voltages (∼ 25 V instead of ∼ 1000 V), compactness and robustness.…”

Enhancing large-area Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode performance through dynamic memristor quenching: a study on improving count rate, reducing jitter and mitigating afterpulsing

“…millimeter scale) are mostly realized on the basis of detector array which usually face fill factor difficulties. [22][23][24] If the performance of discrete GmAPDs of the millimeter scale could be enhanced, they would be ideal for bio-imaging. 11) However, when the GmAPD is too large, a serious RC delay phenomenon will deteriorate the counting rate and timing jitter, affecting the counting speed, and the charge accumulation caused by discharge will cause the afterpulsing phenomenon, 25,26) affecting the dark count.…”